HB 7205 — AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE PUBLIC FINANCING OF MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CAMPAIGNS IN CERTAIN DISTRESSED MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE 2027 MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

House of Representatives General Assembly RaisedFile Bill No.

7205647 January Session, 2025 LCOHouse Bill No.

56277205 ReferredHouse toof Representatives, April 10, 2025 The Committee on GOVERNMENTGovernment ADMINISTRATIONAdministration ANDand ELECTIONSElections Introducedreported by:through REP.

(GAE)BLUMENTHAL ANof ACTthe ESTABLISHING147th ADist., PILOTChairperson PROGRAMof FORthe THECommittee PUBLICon FINANCINGthe OFpart MUNICIPALof CHIEFthe EXECUTIVEHouse, OFFICERthat CAMPAIGNSthe INbill CERTAINought DISTRESSEDto MUNICIPALITIESpass. FOR THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE PUBLIC FINANCING OF MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CAMPAIGNS IN CERTAIN DISTRESSED MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7-192a of the general statutes, the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall establish a pilot program for the public financing of campaigns of candidates for the municipal office of chief executive officer, who agree to limit campaign fund raising and expenditures, at the 2027 municipal election in each distressed municipality with a population of less than twenty- fiveHB7205 thousand./ File No.

Public647 financing under such pilot program shall not be deemed to be public funds for the purposes of subsection (d) of section LCO 5627 1 ofHB7205 2File Raised Bill No.

7205647 9-610ofthegeneralstatutes.Acandidateforthemunicipalofficeofchieffive executivethousand. officer who decides not to participate in such program shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 155 of the general statutes.

Public financing under such pilot program shall not be deemed to be public funds for the purposes of subsection (d) of section 9-610ofthegeneralstatutes.Acandidateforthemunicipalofficeofchief executive officer who decides not to participate in such program shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 155 of the general statutes.

Section 1 from passage New section GAE Joint Favorable LCOHB7205 5627/ 2File ofNo. 2

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647 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 26 $ FY 27 $ Elections Enforcement GF - Cost 306,894 296,894 Commission State Comptroller - Fringe GF - Cost 120,866 120,866 Benefits1 Elections Enforcement GF - Potential See Below See Below Commission Cost Note:

GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:

Municipalities Effect FY 26 $ FY 27 $ Various Municipalities Potential See Below See Below Cost Explanation The bill requires the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC), to implement a pilot program for the 2027 municipal election of chief executive officers in qualifying distressed municipalities resulting in the costs outlined below.

The bill requires SEEC to implement this program in qualifying municipalities for the 2027 municipal elections resulting in a cost to SEEC of four durational positions and $306,894 in FY 26 and a cost of 1The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts administered by the Comptroller.

The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost associated with most personnel changes is 40.71% of payroll in FY 26.

2There are thirteen municipalities that would currently qualify for the pilot program.

The positions include an Elections Officer, a Staff Attorney I, a Fiscal Administrative Officer, and a Secretary I.

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647 $296,894 in FY 27 with an associated fringe cost of $120,866 in FY 26 and FY 27.

These positions are necessary to ensure SEEC can develop, implement, and oversee a pilot program for each participating municipality.

There are additional potential costs depending on the numberofparticipatingmunicipalities,totheextentthatadditionalstaff would be necessary to meet oversight obligations.

There is a potential cost to participating municipalities to provide funding for grants, establish an oversight board, and develop criterion for each towns program .

The exact cost will vary by municipality depending on participation, the structure of the program, and the number and amount of grants issued .

5 The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would conclude in FY 27 unless extended at that time.

SEEC has previously conducted a municipal campaign finance pilot program in 2007 in New Haven.

The establishment of a board, oversight and funding for grants was the responsibility of the municipality during the previous pilot program.

5The New Haven Democracy Fund, established through the initial pilot program, expended $183,000 in 2023 including $150,000 in grants.

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647 OLR Bill Analysis HB 7205 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE PUBLIC FINANCING OF MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CAMPAIGNS IN CERTAIN DISTRESSED MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

SUMMARY The Office of Legislative Research does not analyze Special Acts.

COMMITTEE ACTION Government Administration and Elections Committee Joint Favorable Yea 13 Nay 6 (03/26/2025) HB7205 / File No.

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