Rep. Srinivasan Co-Sponsors Public Safety and Economic Development Bills

HARTFORD – With the best interests of the 31st district in mind, State Representative Prasad Srinivasan (R-Glastonbury) endorsed efforts yesterday to keep us safe and prosperous. As a member of the legislative Public Health, Judiciary and Environment Committees, Rep. Srinivasan voted for several bills that support our law enforcement officials, protect citizens (human and animal) against cruelty and abuse, and bolster business.

First, H.B. 7309, adds the Commissioner of Education to the Trafficking in Persons Council. It combats human trafficking through increased penalties, training and awareness and examines the federal Executive Order Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contracts for the purpose of implementing similar provisions for this state. This bill extends the coverage provided in Public Act 16-71, which was passed in the Legislature last year to protect trafficking victims and extends penalties for offenders.

H.B. 7047 requires municipal and volunteer fire departments to maintain their pump and aerial fire apparatus (i.e. an emergency vehicle) components in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association standard 1911, which sets minimum requirements for inspecting, maintaining, testing, and retiring fire apparatus.

H.B. 6334, An Act Requiring the Registration of Animal Shelters, requires a person wanting to operate or maintain an animal shelter (a private entity operating a building or facility that is not within a private residence and is used solely to house homeless animals for rescue or adoption) in Connecticut to register with the Department of Agriculture Commissioner and comply with regulations he issues regarding sanitation, disease, humane treatment of cats and dogs, and public safety protection.

The bill authorizes the commissioner, or his agent, to inspect an animal shelter at any time. If the shelter is not being maintained in a sanitary and humane manner, he may fine the shelter up to $500 for each affected animal, issue orders necessary to correct the conditions, and quarantine the premises and animals. The commissioner may also revoke or suspend a registration. Anyone operating a shelter without a valid registration is also subject to a significant fine.

Finally, H.B. 7316 bolsters Connecticut’s business climate by expanding legislative review of economic development programs, like business assistance and incentive programs, in the state. It:

• Adds to the information DECD must include in the Commissioner’s annual report, i.e.:
  • Evaluations of assistance and incentive programs.
  • Analyses of the Labor Department's Subsidized Training and Employment .
    Program and Connecticut Innovations' Angel Investor Tax Credit.
  • Data on the number of new jobs these programs created, how much it cost the state to borrow funds to finance the programs, and the estimated impact the programs had on the state's annual revenues.
• Requires the Auditors of Public Accounts to conduct performance audits and evaluations of such programs and report.
• Requires the legislative appropriations, finance and commerce committees to hold public hearings on such report and auditors' findings.

“These were all very good bills that I am pleased to see pass through the House and move on to the Senate,” said Rep. Srinivasan. “I am optimistic that we will continue achieving great things in the General Assembly this session as budget negotiations also progress.”

You can follow Rep. Srinivasan’s legislative activity by visiting his website at www.repsrinivasan.com and clicking on the “Legislation” tab. Videos of Rep. Srinivasan speaking on some of these bills are also available on his website.