Connecticut 2021 Regular Session Status: Enacted 17 D cosponsors

SB 3 — AN ACT CONCERNING DIVERSE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, WORKER PROTECTIONS AND SMALL BUSINESS REVITALIZATION.

Last action — SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 08, 2021. Enacted.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 62% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 26 sponsors

    26 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (17 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

198 added · 834 removed

198 line(s) added, 834 removed.

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Senate General Assembly File No.
Substitute Senate Bill No.
352 January Session, 2021 Substitute Senate Bill No.
3 Public Act No.
3 Senate, April 8, 2021 The Committee on Commerce reported through SEN.
21-188 AN ACT CONCERNING DIVERSE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, WORKER PROTECTIONS AND SMALL BUSINESS REVITALIZATION.
HARTLEY of the 15th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING DIVERSE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, WORKER PROTECTIONS AND SMALL BUSINESS REVITALIZATION.
Section12-217aaaofthegeneralstatutesis repealedandthe following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021, and applicable to income years beginning January 1, 2021):
Section12-217aaaofthegeneralstatutesis repealed andthe following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021, and applicable to income years beginning January 1, 2021):
(B) work education programs in this state, including, but not limited to, programs in public high schools and work education-diversified occupations programs in this sSB3 / File No.
(B) work education programs in this state, including, but not limited to, programs in public high schools and work education-diversified occupations programs in this state;
352 1 sSB3 File No.
352 state;
(D)donationsor capitalcontributionsto institutionsofhigher education in this state for improvements or advancements of technology, including physical plant improvements;
(D)donationsor capitalcontributionsto institutionsofhigher education Substitute Senate Bill No.
3 in this state for improvements or advancements of technology, including physical plant improvements;
(c) The commissioner shall determine, in consultation with the sSB3 / File No.
(c) The commissioner shall determine, in consultation with the Public Act No.
352 2 sSB3 File No.
21-188 2 of 7 Substitute Senate Bill No.
352 Commissioner of Revenue Services and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, when such accumulated credits may be utilized by the business, provided the commissioner shall not approve the utilization of the accumulated credits until the capital project or human capital investment under subsection (b) of this section generates revenues for the state that exceed the amount of the accumulated credits proposed to be utilized.
3 Commissioner of Revenue Services and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, when such accumulated credits may be utilized by the business, provided the commissioner shall not approve the utilization of the accumulated credits until the capital project or human capital investment under subsection (b) of this section generates revenues for the state that exceed the amount of the accumulated credits proposed to be utilized.
(1) "Dislocated worker" means an individual who:
(1) "Dislocated worker" has the same meaning as provided in the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L.
(A) (i) Has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of termination or layoff, from employment;
113- 128, as amended from time to time;
(ii) is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation, (iii) has been employed for a duration sufficient to demonstrate, to the appropriate entity at a one-stop center referred to in Section 134(c) of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L.
(2) "Economic development financial assistance" means any grant, loan or loan guarantee, or combination thereof, provided to a business Public Act No.
113-128, as sSB3 / File No.
21-188 3 of 7 Substitute Senate Bill No.
352 3 sSB3 File No.
3 for the purpose of economic development;
352 amended from time to time, attachment to the workforce, but is not eligible for unemployment compensation due to insufficient earnings or having performed services for an employer that were not covered under chapter 567 of the general statutes;
(3) "Low-income individual" means an individual whose family income is less than three hundred per cent of the federal poverty level for the prior calendar year;
or (iv) is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation;
(4) "Minority" means an individual whose race is defined as other than white, or whose ethnicity is defined as Hispanic or Latino by the federal Office of Management and Budget for use by the Bureau of Census of the United States Department of Commerce;
(B) (i) Has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of termination or layoff, from employment as a result of any permanent closure of, or any substantial layoff at, a plant, facility or enterprise;
(5) "Nontraditional employment" means occupations or fields of work for which individuals from one gender comprise less than twenty- five per cent of the individuals employed in each such occupation or field of work;
(ii) is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility will close within one hundred eighty days;
and (6) "Veteran" means any person who is a member of, was honorably discharged from or released under honorable conditions from active service in the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103 of the general statutes.
or (iii) for purposes of eligibility to receive services, other than training services described in subdivision (14) of subsection (b) of section 31-11p of the general statutes, as amended by this act, intensive services described in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of said section, or supportive services, is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility will close;
(C) Was self-employed, including employment as a farmer, rancher or fisherman, but is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community in which the individual resides or because of natural disasters;
(D) Is a displaced homemaker;
or (E) (i) Is the spouse of a member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty, as defined in 10 USC 101(d)(1), and who has experienced a loss of employment as a direct result of relocation to accommodate a permanent change in duty station of such member, or (ii) is the spouse of a member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty and who is unemployed or underemployed and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment;
(2) "Displaced homemaker" means an individual who has been providing unpaid services to family members in the home and who (A) has been dependent on the income of another family member, but is no longer supported by that income;
and (B) is unemployed or sSB3 / File No.
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352 underemployed and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment;
(3) "Economic development financial assistance" means any grant, loan or loan guarantee, or combination thereof, or any tax credits approved pursuant to chapter 578 of the general statutes, provided to a business for the purpose of economic development;
(4) "Low-income individual" means an individual whose family income is less than three hundred per cent of the federal poverty level for the prior calendar year;
(5) "Minority" means an individual whose race is defined as other than white, or whose ethnicity is defined as Hispanic or Latino by the federal Office of Management and Budget for use by the Bureau of Census of the United States Department of Commerce;
(6) "Nontraditional employment" means occupations or fields of work for which individuals from one gender comprise less than twenty- five per cent of the individuals employed in each such occupation or field of work;
and (7) "Veteran" means any person who is a member of, was honorably discharged from or released under honorable conditions from active service in the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103 of the general statutes.
(Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the recruitment and sSB3 / File No.
(Effective from passage) On or before July 1, 2021, and on a fiscal quarterly basis thereafter, and prior to July 1, 2022, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Commissioner of Revenue Services, shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing Public Act No.
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352 retention of employees in the tourism, lodging and restaurant industries.
3 committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce regarding the hospitality industry's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Such study shall include, but need not be limited to, an examination of (1) federal and state economic programs used by businesses in such industries during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) the effectiveness of such programs in helping such industries retain employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (3) any obstacles to such industries reaching the employment levels that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Such report may include, but need not be limited to, regional assessments regarding therecovery of such industry in the state.
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For the purposes of this section, "COVID-19" means the respiratory disease designated by the World Health Organization on February 11, 2020, as coronavirus 2019, and any related mutation thereof recognized by said organization as a communicable respiratory disease.
For the purposes of this section, "COVID-19" means the respiratory disease designated by the World Health Organization on February11,2020,ascoronavirus2019,andanyrelatedmutationthereof recognized by said organization as a communicable respiratory disease.
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;
(2) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives;
(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;
(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;
(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
(7) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, or the commissioner's designee;
(8) The Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee;
and (9) Two persons appointed by the Governor.
(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.
sSB3 / File No.
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352 (d) All initial appointments to the task force shall be made not later thanthirty daysafter theeffective date ofthis section.Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
(e)The speaker oftheHouse ofRepresentativesandthepresident pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from among the members of the task force.
Such chairpersons shall schedule thefirst meeting ofthe task force, whichshall beheld not later thansixty days after the effective date of this section.
(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
(g) Not later than January 1, 2022, the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or January 1, 2022, whichever is later.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) The Department of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Governor's chief manufacturing officer, the State Board of Education and the Office of Higher Education shall develop and implement a plan to advertise certificationprograms, job training programs and entry-level manufacturing jobs to graduates of the state's high schools and adult education programs who do not join the armed forces or enroll in an institution of higher education after graduation.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, in consultation with the Department of Economic and Community Development, CTNext and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc., shall develop and implement a plan to increase the total of funds provided to state businesses pursuant to the small business innovation research program, as defined in section 32- of the general statutes, and the small business technology transfer program, as defined in section 32-344 of the general statutes.
Not later than January 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce and education, regarding such plan and its implementation.
Sec.
5.
(Effective from passage) The Department of Economic and sSB3 / File No.
352 7 sSB3 File No.
352 Community Development, in consultation with the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, shall evaluate the effectiveness of provisional pardons and certificates of rehabilitation issued pursuant to section 54- 130e of the general statutes and certificates of rehabilitation issued pursuant to section 54-108f of the general statutes, at promoting the reintegration of ex-offenders into the state's workforce.
Not later than January 1, 2022, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce and the judiciary, on the effectiveness of such provisional pardons and certificates of rehabilitation at promoting such reintegration.
Such report shall include any recommendations for amendments to the general statutes governing such provisional pardons and certificates of rehabilitation in order to promote such reintegration.
Sec.
6.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) The Department of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Labor Department and the Governor's chief manufacturing officer, shall develop and implement a plan to identify and communicate with veterans for the purpose of connecting such veterans with employment opportunities in the state.
Not later than January 1, 2022, andannually thereafter,theCommissioner ofEconomic and Community Development shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce and veterans' and military affairs, regarding such plan and its implementation.
Sec.
7.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, in consultation with the Department of Economic and Community Development, CTNext and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc., shall develop and implement a plan to increase the total of funds provided to state businesses pursuant to the small business innovation research program, as defined in section 32- 344 of the general statutes, and the small business technology transfer sSB3 / File No.
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352 program, as defined in section 32-344 of the general statutes.
8.
5.
(Effective from passage) The Department of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Department of Correction, shall conduct a study relating to the federal Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program.
Such study shall include, but need not be limited to, an analysis of the state's participation in said program and an analysis of other states' participation in said program.
Not later than January 1, 2022, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall submit a report on the results of such study to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce and the judiciary, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
Such report shall include any recommendations for the state's further participation in the federal Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program.
Sec.
9.
and (2) the compilation of a list of opportunity zones in the state with the highest unemploymentandpovertyratesandthelowestmedianfamilyincome.
and (2) the compilation of a list of opportunity zones in the state with the highest Public Act No.
21-188 5 of 7 Substitute Senate Bill No.
3 unemploymentandpovertyratesandthelowestmedianfamilyincome.
sSB3 / File No.
Such report shall include a plan to incentivize investment in the opportunity zones listed pursuant to subdivision (2) of this section and any legislative proposals necessary to implement such plan.
352 9 sSB3 File No.
352 Such report shall include a plan to incentivize investment in the opportunity zones listed pursuant to subdivision (2) of this section and any legislative proposals necessary to implement such plan.
10.
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) (a) As used in this section, "small business" means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship or individual operating a business for profit, which has operations in this state and employs twenty or fewer full-time employees, including employees employed in any subsidiary or affiliated corporation.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2022, the Department of Economic and Community Development shall establish a small business micro-loan assistance program to assist small businesses in securing micro-loans from lending institutions.
(c) As part of the program, the department shall (1) establish a registry of lending institutions in the state that provide micro-loans to small businesses, (2) solicit lending institutions for inclusion in such registry, (3) advertise the program on the department's Internet web site, (4) establish a method by which small businesses may contact the department for assistance with securing a micro-loan from a lending institution, (5) provide assistance to small businesses seeking a micro- loan, including, but not limited to, identifying potential lending institutions and assisting with the completion of any loan application.
(d) Not later than January 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall submit a report to the joint standing committee ofthe General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, which details the number of lending institutions included on the registry described in subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section, the number of small businesses who have contacted the department for assistance in securing a micro-loan, and the number of small businesses who have received a micro-loan from a lending institution after receiving assistance from the department.
sSB3 / File No.
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352 Sec.
11.
Subsection (a) of section 36a-32 of the general statutes is repealed andthefollowing issubstituted inlieuthereof(EffectiveOctober 1, 2021):
(a) In connection with the examination of a bank under section 36a- 17, the commissioner shall assess the record of the performance of the bank in helping to meet the credit needs of its entire community, includinglowandmoderate-incomeneighborhoods,consistentwiththe safe and sound operation of the bank.
The commissioner shall assess the community reinvestment performance of a bank utilizing the applicable methodology set forth in federal CRA.
In addition, the commissioner shall consider thefollowing in assessing a bank'srecordofperformance:
(1) The bank's record of offering escrow accounts for purposes of compliance with subsection (h) of section 47a-21;
(2) Efforts of the bank to work with delinquent residential mortgage customers who are unemployed or underemployed to facilitate a resolution of the delinquency;
[and] (3)The bank'srecordofparticipationinthe smallbusinessmicro-loan assistance program established pursuant to section 10 of this act;
and [(3)] (4) Written comments received by the commissioner.
Sec.
12.
(Effective from passage) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Labor Department, shall conduct a study relating to the Federal Bonding Program administered by the United States Department of Labor.
Such study shall analyze the effectiveness of such program.
Not later than January 1, 2022, the commissioner shall submit a report on the results of such study and any recommendations regarding the establishment of complementary state incentives to supplement the Federal Bonding Program to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
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352 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1 July 1, 2021, and 12-217aaa applicable to income years beginning January 1, 2021 Sec.
2 October 1, 2021 New section Sec.
3 from passage New section Sec.
4 from passage New section Sec.
5 from passage New section Sec.
6 from passage New section Sec.
7 from passage New section from passage Sec.
8 New section Sec.
9 from passage New section Sec.
10 October 1, 2021 New section Sec.
11 October 1, 2021 36a-32(a) Sec.
12 from passage New section CE Joint Favorable Subst.
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352 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 22 $ FY 23 $ Department of Economic & GF - Potential Up to None Community Development Cost 100,000 Department of Economic & GF - Revenue Potential Potential Community Development Loss Note:
GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill makes a number of changes regarding economic development in the state, the fiscal impacts of which are described below:
Section 1 expands the stranded tax credit program by allowing businesses to exchange stranded Research & Development tax credits for human capital investments.
To the extent this results in additional credits being allowed there is a potential revenue loss as early as FY 22.
Any potential revenue loss may be offset in the long term by increased economic activity in the state.
1 Section 2 requires the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) commissioner to prioritize applicants for economic development assistance that demonstrate a willingness to 1The stranded tax credit program requires that projects or investments undertaken must generate revenues for the state that exceed the amount of credits to be utilized, as determined by the DECD commissioner using an econometric analysis.
The program is capped at $50 million in the aggregate.
sSB3 / File No.
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352 makes jobs available to individuals meeting certain criteria.
This does not result in any fiscal impact.
Section 3 establishes a task force to study the impact of the COVID- pandemic on the recruitment and retention of employees in the tourism, lodging, and restaurant industries.
This does not result in any fiscal impact as PA 17-236 prohibits transportation allowances.
Section 4 requires the DECD, in consultation with specified entities, to developandimplement aplanto advertisecertificationprograms,job training programs, and entry-level manufacturing jobs.
This does not result in any fiscal impact as it is anticipated that the agency can accomplish the requirement without the need for additional resources.
Section 5 requires the DECD, in consultation with the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, to evaluate the effectiveness of provisional pardons and certificates of rehabilitation in promoting the reintegration of ex-offenders into the state's workforce.
This does not result in any fiscal impact as it is anticipated that the agencies can accomplish the requirement utilizing existing resources of the Office of Workforce Strategy.
Section 6 requires the DECD, in consultation with specified entities, to develop and implement a plan to connect veterans to employment opportunities.
This does not result in any fiscal impact as it is anticipated that the agency can accomplish the requirement without the need for additional resources.
Section 7 requires Connecticut Innovations, in consultation with specified entities, to develop and implement a plan to increase the total funding provided to Connecticut businesses through the small business innovation research program and small business technology transfer program.
This does not result in any fiscal impact as it is anticipated that the agency can accomplish the requirement without the need for additional resources.
Section 8 requires the DECD, in consultation with the Department of sSB3 / File No.
352 14 sSB3 File No.
352 Corrections, to study the federal prison industry enhancement certification program.
This does not result in any fiscal impact as it is anticipated that the agencies can accomplish the requirement without the need for additional resources.
Section 9 requires the DECD commissioner to study the state's opportunity zone financial incentives, which can be accomplished without the need for additional agency resources.
Section 10 requires the DECD to establish, by January 1, 2022, a program to assist small businesses in securing micro-loans from lending institutions, as well as advertise the program on the agency's website.
To the extent the DECD revamps its website to create a more robust portal for small businesses, there is an estimated one-time cost of up to $100,000 in FY 22 only.
Section 11 adds a bank’s participation in the small business micro- loan assistance program established in the bill to the criteria the Department of Banking must consider when assessing a bank’s record of performance under the Community Reinvestment Act.
This does not result in any fiscal impact.
Section12 requiresthe DECD commissioner,inconsultationwith the Department of Labor (DOL), to conduct a study analyzing the effectiveness of the U.S.
DOL’s federal bonding program.
This does not result in any fiscal impact as it is anticipated that the agencies can accomplish the requirement without the need for additional resources.
The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.
sSB3 / File No.
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352 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 3 AN ACT CONCERNING DIVERSE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, WORKER PROTECTIONS AND SMALL BUSINESS REVITALIZATION.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
§ 1 — STRANDED TAX CREDIT PROGRAM EXPANSION Expands the state's stranded tax credit program by allowing businesses to exchange stranded R&D tax credits for human capital investments § 2 — PRIORITY APPLICANTS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RequirestheDECDcommissionertoprioritizeapplicantsforeconomicdevelopmentassistance that demonstrate a willingness to make jobs available to individuals meeting certain criteria § 3 — TOURISM, LODGING, AND RESTAURANT INDUSTRY COVID- TASK FORCE Establishes a task force to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the recruitment and retention of tourism, lodging, and restaurant industry employees § 4 — DECD ADVERTISING PLAN FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES Requires DECD, in consultation with specified entities, to develop and implement a plan to advertise certification programs, job training programs, and entry-level manufacturing jobs § 5 — DECD STUDY OF PROVISIONAL PARDONS AND CERTIFICATES OF REHABILITATION Requires DECD, in consultation with the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, to evaluate the effectiveness of provisional pardons and certificates of rehabilitation in promoting the reintegration of ex-offenders into the state's workforce § 6 — DECD PLAN FOR CONNECTING VETERANS TO EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Requires DECD, in consultation with specified entities, to develop and implement a plan to connect veterans to employment opportunities § 7 — CI PLAN FOR INCREASING FUNDING THROUGH CERTAIN FEDERAL SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH PROGRAMS Requires CI, in consultation with specified entities, to develop and implement aplan to increase the total funding provided to Connecticut businesses through the small business innovation research program and small business technology transfer program sSB3 / File No.
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352 § 8 — DECD STUDY OF FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRY ENHANCEMENT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM Requires DECD, in consultation with DOC, to study the federal prison industry enhancement certification program § 9 — DECD STUDY OF OPPORTUNITY ZONE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES Requires the DECD commissioner to study the state's opportunity zone financial incentives § 10 — DECD SMALL BUSINESS MICRO-LOAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Requires DECD to establish, by January 1, 2022, a program to assist small businesses in securing micro-loans from lending institutions § 11 — COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT PERFORMANCE CONSIDERATIONS Requires the DOB commissioner, when assessing a bank under the state's CRA, to consider the bank's record of participation in the small business micro-loan assistance program the bill establishes § 12 — DECD STUDY OF FEDERAL BONDING PROGRAM Requires the DECD commissioner, in consultation with DOL, to conduct a study analyzing the effectiveness of the U.S.
DOL’s federal bonding program EFFECTIVE DATE:
Upon passage, unless otherwise noted.
§ 1 — STRANDED TAX CREDIT PROGRAM EXPANSION Expands the state's stranded tax credit program by allowing businesses to exchange stranded R&D tax credits for human capital investments By law, businesses can exchange accumulated (i.e., stranded) research and development (R&D) tax credits for undertaking certain in- state capital projects.
The bill (1) allows businesses to do the same for making human capital investments and (2) makes various conforming changes to the stranded tax credit program.
As under the state’s human capital investment tax credit program (CGS § 12-217x(a)), the bill defines “human capital investment” as:
1.
in-state job training for in-state workers;
2.
in-state work education programs (e.g., public high school programs and work education-diversified occupations programs);
sSB3 / File No.
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352 3.
worker training and education for in-state workers that in-state higher education institutions provide;
4.
donations or capital contributions to in-state higher education institutions for improvements or technology advancements;
5.
planning, site preparation, construction, renovation, or acquisition for the purpose of establishing an in-state child care center that will be primarily used by the children of in-state workers;
subsidies to in-state workers for in-state child care;
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) (a) There is established a vocational village program that shall be administered by the Commissioner of Correction, in consultation with the Department of Economic and Community Development.
and 7.
The program shall provide skilled trades training to inmates and shall include, but need not be limited to, providing inmates opportunities to earn nationally recognized industry certifications and credentials.
contributions to the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund.
Such certifications and credentials may include, but need not be limited to, certifications andcredentialsincomputer coding,carpentry,computerizednumerical control manufacturing, welding, electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning and plumbing.
Existing law provides a 5% corporation tax credit for these human capital investments (CGS § 12-217x).
(b) The Commissioner of Correction shall:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
(1) Establish eligibility criteria for participation in the program;
July 1, 2021, and applicable to income years beginning January 1, 2021.
(2) establish an application process for inmates to apply for participation in the program;
§ 2 — PRIORITY APPLICANTS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Requires the DECD commissioner to prioritize applicants for economic development assistance that demonstrate a willingness to make jobs available to individuals meeting certain criteria The bill requires the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) commissioner to prioritize applicants for economic development financial assistance (i.e., DECD-approved grants, loans, loan guarantees, or combination, and tax credits for economic development) that demonstrate a willingness to make jobs available to certain individuals.
(3) develop program objectives;
These individuals include individuals with disabilities or who are:
(4) identify nationally recognized industry certifications to offer through the program;
1.
(5) develop and implement program curricula;
unemployed;
(6) identify and utilize a suitable facility for the operation of the program;
2.
(7) obtain suitable staff for the operation of the program;
low-income (i.e., whose family income is less than 300% of the federal poverty level for the previous calendar year);
and (8) obtain suitable equipment and educational materials for the operation of the program.
sSB3 / File No.
(c) The Commissioner of Correction may (1) participate in the federal Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program, or (2) partner with private sector entities to further the objectives of the vocational village Public Act No.
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352 3.
3 program.
dislocated workers (see below);
(d) Not later than January 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Correction shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, on the vocational village program to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary and commerce.
4.
(e) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall allocate funds to the Department of Correction, from the federal funds received by the state pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, P.L.
training for nontraditional employment (i.e., occupations or fields in which employees from one gender comprise less than 25% of total employees);
116-136, as amended from time to time, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, P.L.
5.
116-260, as amended from time to time, or the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L.
veterans (i.e., members of the armed services or those discharged or released under honorable conditions from the U.S.
117-2, as amended from time to time, for the purposes of the program established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
Army, Navy,MarineCorps,CoastGuard,andAirForceandanyreserve component of these branches, including the Connecticut National Guard performing duty under Title 32 of the U.S.
Approved July 13, 2021 Public Act No.
Code (e.g., certain Homeland Security missions));
21-188 7 of 7
6.
minorities (i.e., whose race is non-white or ethnicity is Hispanic or Latino, as defined by the federal Office of Management and Budget for use by the U.S.
Census Bureau);
or 7.
women.
The bill gives the DECD commissioner discretion to determine whether applicants have demonstrated a willingness to make jobs available to the individuals described above.
It also requires that any assistance provided be consistent with state or regional economic development strategies.
Under the bill, a “dislocated worker” means an individual who:
1.
(a) has been terminated, laid off, or received notice of such;
(b) is eligible for, or has exhausted entitlement to, unemployment compensation;
(c) has been sufficiently employed to demonstrate attachment to the workforce to a one-stop center but is not eligible for unemployment compensation due to insufficient earnings or having performed services for an employer that were not eligible for state unemployment compensation;
or (d) is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation;
2.
(a) has been terminated, laid off, or received notice of this due to a permanent closure of, or substantial layoff at, a plant, facility, sSB3 / File No.
352 19 sSB3 File No.
352 or enterprise;
(b)is employedat afacility where theemployer has announced the facility will close within 180 days;
or (c) for purposes of eligibility to receive certain one-stop workforce development services (excluding certain training, intensive, and supportive services) is employed at a facility where the employer has announced the facility will close;
3.
was self-employed (including as a farmer, rancher, or fisherman) but is unemployed due to (a) the economic conditions of the community where he or she resides or (b) natural disasters;
4.
is a displaced homemaker (i.e., has been providing unpaid services to family members in the home and (a) was dependent on another family member’s income that is no longer supporting him or her and (b) is unemployed or underemployed and having difficulty obtaining or upgrading employment);
or 5.
is the spouse of an active duty U.S.
armed forces member (a) who is unemployed or underemployed and having difficulty obtaining or upgrading employment or (b)hasexperiencedaloss of employment due to relocation accommodating his or her spouse’s permanent change in duty station.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 1, 2021 § 3 — TOURISM, LODGING, AND RESTAURANT INDUSTRY COVID- TASK FORCE Establishes a task force to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the recruitment and retention of tourism, lodging, and restaurant industry employees Task Force Duties The bill establishes a task force to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the recruitment and retention of tourism, lodging, and restaurant industry employees, including (1) federal and state economic programs that businesses in these industries used during the pandemic;
(2) the effectiveness of these programs on helping employee retainment;
and (3) obstacles faced by these industries in attaining pre-COVID-19 employment levels.
“COVID-19” means the respiratory disease sSB3 / File No.
352 20 sSB3 File No.
352 designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) on February 11, 2020, as coronavirus 2019, and any related WHO-recognized mutation as a communicable respiratory disease.
Task Force Membership Under the bill, the 12-member task force must include the DECD and Department of Labor (DOL) commissioners, or their designees, and the following appointments:
governor (two), house speaker (two), senate president pro tempore (two), house majority leader (one), senate majority leader (one), house minority leader (one), and senate minority leader (one).
Appointed members may be legislators.
The bill requires appointing authorities to make their appointments within 30 days of its passage and fill any vacancies.
Task Force Meetings and Procedures The bill requires the House speaker and Senate president pro tempore to select the chairpersons from among the task force’s members.
The chairpersons must schedule and hold the task force’s first meeting within 60 days after the bill’s passage.
The Commerce Committee’s administrative staff must serve as the task force’s administrative staff.
Task Force Report and Termination The bill requires the task force to submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the Commerce Committee by January 1, 2022;
the task force terminates on this date or when it submits the report, whichever is later.
Background Related Bills.
sHB 6603 (File 212), favorably reported by the Commerce Committee, establishes an 11-member task force to study the shortageofemployeesinvarioustourism-relatedbusinessesinthestate.
§ 4 — DECD ADVERTISING PLAN FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES sSB3 / File No.
352 21 sSB3 File No.
352 Requires DECD, in consultation with specified entities, to develop and implement a plan to advertise certification programs, job training programs, and entry-level manufacturing jobs The bill requires DECD, in consultation with the governor’s chief manufacturing officer, the State Board of Education, and the Office of Higher Education, to develop and implement a plan to advertise certain programsandjobopportunitiesto state highschoolandadult education program graduates who do not join the armed forces or enroll in higher education institutions.
These programs and job opportunities are certification programs, job training programs, and entry-level manufacturing jobs.
By January 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the DECD commissioner must report to the Commerce and Education committees on the plan and its implementation.
§ 5 — DECD STUDY OF PROVISIONAL PARDONS AND CERTIFICATES OF REHABILITATION Requires DECD, in consultation with the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, to evaluate the effectiveness of provisional pardons and certificates of rehabilitation in promoting the reintegration of ex-offenders into the state's workforce The bill requires DECD, in consultation with the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, to evaluate the effectiveness of provisional pardons and certificates of rehabilitation in promoting the reintegration of ex-offenders into the state’s workforce.
The bill requires the DECD commissioner to submit a report with findings and legislative recommendations to the Commerce and Judiciary committees by January 1, 2022.
§ 6 — DECD PLAN FOR CONNECTING VETERANS TO EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Requires DECD, in consultation with specified entities, to develop and implement a plan to connect veterans to employment opportunities The bill requires DECD, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, DOL, and the governor’s chief manufacturing officer, to develop and implement a plan to identify, communicate with, and connect veterans to in-state employment opportunities.
sSB3 / File No.
352 22 sSB3 File No.
352 By January 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the DECD commissioner must report to the Commerce and Veterans’ Affairs committees on the plan and its implementation.
§ 7 — CI PLAN FOR INCREASING FUNDING THROUGH CERTAIN FEDERAL SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH PROGRAMS Requires CI, in consultation with specified entities, to develop and implement a plan to increase the total funding provided to Connecticut businesses through the small business innovation research program and small business technology transfer program The bill requires Connecticut Innovations (CI), in consultation with DECD, CTNext, and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, to develop and implement a plan to increase the total funding provided to Connecticut businesses through the federal (1) small business innovation research program and (2) small business technology transfer program.
By January 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the DECD commissioner must report to the Commerce and Veterans’ Affairs committees on the plan and its implementation.
§ 8 — DECD STUDY OF FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRY ENHANCEMENT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM Requires DECD, in consultation with DOC, to study the federal prison industry enhancement certification program The bill requires DECD, in consultation with the Department of Correction (DOC), to study the federal prison industry enhancement certification program, including an analysis of Connecticut’s and other states’ participation in this program.
The bill requires the DECD commissioner to submit a report to the CommerceandJudiciarycommitteesbyJanuary1,2022,withtheresults of the study and recommendations for the state’s future participation in the program.
§ 9 — DECD STUDY OF OPPORTUNITY ZONE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES Requires the DECD commissioner to study the state's opportunity zone financial incentives The bill requires the DECD commissioner to study the state’s sSB3 / File No.
352 23 sSB3 File No.
352 opportunity zone financial incentives.
In conducting the study, DECD must compile a list of economically distressed opportunity zones in the state with the highest unemployment and poverty rates and the lowest median household income.
The department must also analyze:
1.
the financial incentives the state uses to support opportunity zone investments;
2.
the specific economic development projects that these incentives have supported and an accounting of financial incentives the state has paid to date;
and 3.
the types of businesses that have used these incentives.
The bill requires the DECD commissioner to submit a report on the results of the study to the Commerce Committee by January 1, 2022.The study must include (1) a plan to incentivize investment in the identified economically distressed opportunity zones and (2) legislative proposals to implement this plan.
§ 10 — DECD SMALL BUSINESS MICRO-LOAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Requires DECD to establish, by January 1, 2022, a program to assist small businesses in securing micro-loans from lending institutions The bill requires DECD to establish, by January 1, 2022, a program to assist small businesses in securing micro-loans from lending institutions.
As part of the program, DECD must:
1.
establish a registry of in-state lenders that provide micro-loans to small businesses and solicit lenders for inclusion in the registry;
2.
advertise the program on its website;
3.
establish a method for small businesses seeking a micro-loan to contact DECD for assistance;
and 4.
assist these businesses, including by identifying potentiallenders and helping to complete loan applications.
sSB3 / File No.
352 24 sSB3 File No.
352 Under the bill, “small business” means an in-state corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship, or individual operating a for-profit business with 20 or fewer full-time employees, including employees of a subsidiary or affiliated corporation.
By January 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the DECD commissioner must report to the Commerce Committee on the program, including the number of (1) lenders in the registry, (2) unique assistance requests DECD received from small businesses seeking a micro-loan, and (3) small businesses that have received a micro-loan from a lender after receiving DECD assistance.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 1, 2021 § 11 — COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT PERFORMANCE CONSIDERATIONS Requires the DOB commissioner, when assessing a bank under the state's CRA, to consider the bank's record of participation in the small business micro-loan assistance program the bill establishes The bill requires the Department of Banking (DOB) commissioner, when assessing a bank’s performance record under the state’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA, see BACKGROUND), to also consider the bank’s record of participation in the small business micro- loan assistance program the bill establishes (see above).
EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 1, 2021 Background CRA.
The Connecticut CRA, among other things, requires the DOB commissioner to assess each bank’s record of meeting its local communities’ credit needs.
The banking department gives each bank a score reflecting its community lending efforts.
Banks receiving lower assessment scores may be prohibited from certain activities (e.g., openingnewbranches ormergingwithotherbanks).Inpractice,thelaw applies to all state-chartered banks, as well as out-of-state banks with a Connecticut branch (CGS § 36a-30).
sSB3 / File No.
352 25 sSB3 File No.
352 Related Bills.
sHB 6453 (File 227), favorably reported by the Banking Committee, requires the DOB commissioner, when deciding whether to approve a new loan production office for a Connecticut bank or an out- of-state bank, to consider both the bank’s record of compliance with the federal CRA and overall CRA rating.
§ 12 — DECD STUDY OF FEDERAL BONDING PROGRAM Requires the DECD commissioner, in consultation with DOL, to conduct a study analyzing the effectiveness of the U.S.
DOL’s federal bonding program The bill requires the DECD commissioner, in consultation with DOL, to conduct a study analyzing the effectiveness of the U.S.
DOL’s federal bonding program.
The bill requires the DECD commissioner to submit a report to the Commerce Committee by January 1, 2022, including the results of the study and any recommendations for establishing complementary state incentives to supplement the program.
COMMITTEE ACTION Commerce Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 17 Nay 6 (03/22/2021) sSB3 / File No.
352 26
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Action History

  1. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  2. TRANSMITTED BY SECRETARY OF THE STATE TO GOVERNOR

  3. TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF THE STATE

  4. PUBLIC ACT 21-188

  5. IN CONCURRENCE

  6. HOUSE PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  7. HOUSE ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  8. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 592

  9. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  10. SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  11. SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  12. FILE NO. 352

  13. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 218

  14. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  15. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  16. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/07/21

  17. FILED WITH LCO

  18. Joint Favorable Substitute

  19. PUBLIC HEARING 0318

  20. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Commerce

  21. DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE

  22. Vote to Draft

  23. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Commerce

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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26 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 161 not signed on

Sponsors (26)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (161)

161 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 3?
SB 3 is sponsored by Gucker, Kenneth M, Antonio Felipe (Democratic), Joshua M. Hall (Democratic), Conley, Christine, Douglas McCrory (Democratic), Anthony L. Nolan (Democratic), Julie Kushner (Democratic), Derek Slap (Democratic), Mae Flexer (Democratic), Daugherty Abrams, Mary, Goupil, Christine, Palm, Christine, Hilda E. Santiago (Democratic), Saud Anwar (Democratic), Jorge Cabrera (Democratic), Marilyn Moore, Cassano, Steve, Martin M. Looney (Democratic), Travis Simms (Democratic), Bradley, Dennis A., Kara Rochelle (Democratic), Haskell, Will, Larry B. Butler (Democratic), Bob Duff (Democratic), Matthew L. Lesser (Democratic), and Gary A. Winfield (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 3?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 08, 2021. Enacted.
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