CT Senate Floor Session — 2026-04-08

Grant us an appreciation of our freedoms, including those of sport and relation. Let us be assured that these are enjoyed after our duties have been properly accomplished. Let us set a good example for others to follow, in work and in play. Amen.

Thank you, Senator Rahman. Senator Duff.

Good morning. Good to see you.

Mr. President, the Clerk is in possession of Senate Agenda No. 1 dated Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move all items on Senate Agenda No. 1 dated Wednesday, April 8, 2026, to be acted upon as indicated and that the Agenda be incorporated by reference into the Senate Journal and Senate Transcripts.

Letter of Withdrawal April 7, 2026

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I know we have a point of personal privilege, if not others. So, I'd like to yield to any members with points of personal privilege before I move the Calendar.

Good morning, Mr. President. I rise for the purpose of an introduction.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. It's not a very well-kept secret that I'm getting married. And in fact, I'm getting married this coming Sunday, and my lovely bride happens to be here today, along with her family. My fiancée, Shenwei, is right here. And she has brought over from Taiwan her parents, her sister and her family and her cousin. And they've been staying with us here in Connecticut for the last few days. She actually just brought them all to Florida to go to Universal Studios, and they just got back this morning. So, they're still dressed from their flight and all that. They're self-conscious. They're not dressed up enough, but I think that they look great. And I'm delighted to be able to share my future extended family with the circle and my colleagues. And I'd just ask that everyone give them a nice warm welcome and a round of applause. So, thank you very much. (applause)

Thank you, Mr. President. I do want to rise, and in the same vein, congratulate Senator Sampson. So, Sunday, him and his beautiful wife Shenwei, who I've had the pleasure of meeting, will be getting married. She's a great addition to Senator Sampson. Certainly his better half. As much as I love Senator Sampson, Shenwei is certainly his better half. And I know they both love each other deeply, and we're all excited in this chamber for their vows, which will be this Sunday, and the beautiful extended family now that Senator Sampson will be welcoming to his family. So, if we could once again as a Senate Chamber congratulate Senator Sampson and Shenwei for their wedding vows on Sunday. (applause)

Thank you, Mr. President. How are you today?

Good seeing you as well. I stand here for a point of personal privilege. I have with me today -- where is she? I have with me today Gabriela Hughes. She's shadowing me today and she's hoping to be in politics. She's interested in politics and so her mom had called me and I said, "Bring her up." And so, these are the things, this is what we should be doing is being mentors and role models for young people so that they can fill our shoes someday. And I also want to introduce her mom, my friend, Carmen Hughes as well. So, I would like the chamber to please give them that warm welcome we give our guests. (applause)

Good morning, Mr. President. Good to see you.

Mr. President, I rise for a point of personal privilege. It is once again my distinct honor to welcome -- Janelle, why don't you come up here since Senator Miller is bringing people right up. Mr. President, it's a distinct honor to again introduce in this beautiful chamber my very dear friend, Mrs. Janelle Wilk of Watertown. Janelle is here today, it's MS Advocacy, Multiple Sclerosis Advocacy Day. Janelle was diagnosed at 18 years old, a long time ago, with this terrible debilitating disease. You wouldn't know it by looking at her. She's also been, and remains, despite her illness, very involved in what's going on in our hometown in Watertown having served as the vice chairman of the Board of Education, now as the, and I always say this publicly, I don't know why, but as the chairwoman of the Housing Authority in Watertown, ensuring that our most needy and our seniors are getting the services and the attention that they deserve. So, if you're not aware, you see people walking around the building today wearing orange ties or buttons or whatnot, that is in recognition of MS Day nationally and the advocacy that's going on in the Capitol. So, if the chamber would join me in welcoming Mrs. Wilk back to the chamber once again, that would be appreciated. Thank you, sir. (applause)

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, we have a lengthy go list today, so I just ask for everybody's patience. And prior to that, just also wanted to offer my congratulations to Senator Sampson on his upcoming wedding and wish him all the best in this new journey that he's undertaking. Mr. President, if we can now proceed with the go list. On Calendar page 1, Calendar 136, House Joint Resolution 26, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Followed by Calendar page 2, Calendar 138, House Joint Resolution 28, I'd like to mark that as go.

Followed by Calendar page 2, Calendar 140, House Joint Resolution 15, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Followed by Calendar page 2, Calendar 142, House Joint Resolution 18, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Followed by Calendar page 3, Calendar 144, House Joint Resolution 21, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Followed by Calendar page 3, Calendar 146, House Joint Resolution 24, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Followed by Calendar page 4, Calendar 148, House Joint Resolution 25, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Followed by Calendar page 4, Calendar 150, House Joint Resolution 11, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Followed by Calendar page 4, Calendar 154, House Joint Resolution 10, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Followed by Calendar page 5, Calendar 156, House Joint Resolution 17, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Followed by Calendar page 5, Calendar 1, Senate Joint Resolution No. 4, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Followed by Calendar page 6, Calendar 3, Senate Joint Resolution 9, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Followed by Calendar page 6, Calendar 30, Senate Joint Resolution 35, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Followed by Calendar page 7, Calendar 32, Senate Resolution No. 5, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Followed by Calendar page 7, Calendar 34, Senate Resolution No. 7, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Will the Senate stand at ease for a moment?

Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. Next for go is Calendar page 8, Calendar 83, Senate Joint Resolution 65, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 8, Calendar 84, Senate Joint Resolution 66, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 8, Calendar 85, Senate Joint Resolution 67, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 9, Calendar 86, Senate Joint Resolution 68, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 9, Calendar 87, Senate Resolution No. 8, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next, Calendar page 9, Calendar 88, Senate Resolution No. 9, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 9, Calendar 89, Senate Joint Resolution 69, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 9, Calendar 90, Senate Joint Resolution 70, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 10, Calendar 135, Senate Joint Resolution 71, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 10, Calendar 152, House Joint Resolution No. 63, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 10, Calendar 153, House Joint Resolution 64, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 10, Calendar 158, House Joint Resolution 58, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 11, Calendar 161, House Joint Resolution 61, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 11, Calendar 163, House Joint Resolution No. 2, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 12, Calendar 164, House Joint Resolution No. 7, I'd like to mark that item go.

Thank you, Mr. President. Next is Calendar page 12, Calendar 165, House Joint Resolution No. 8, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 12, Calendar 166, House Joint Resolution No. 29, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 12, Calendar 167, House Joint Resolution No. 30, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 13, Calendar 168, House Joint Resolution No. 1, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 13, Calendar 38, Senate Bill 150, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 17, Calendar 61, Senate Bill 349, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 27, Calendar 123, Senate Bill 225, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 30, Calendar 176, Senate Bill 318, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 33, Calendar 198, Senate Bill 247, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 34, Calendar 202, Senate Bill 305, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 35, Calendar 208, Senate Bill 370, I'd like to mark that item go.

Next is Calendar page 36, Calendar 211, Senate Bill 402, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 37, Calendar 221, Senate Bill 429, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 42, Calendar 244, Senate Bill 380, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 42, Calendar 247, Senate Bill 423, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Next is Calendar page 15, Calendar 49, Senate Bill 191, I'd like to mark that item as go.

Thank you, Mr. President. If we can work off that order, please. Thank you, Mr. President.

Page 1, Calendar No. 136, House Joint Resolution No. 26, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE JOSEPH M. SHORTALL OF BLOOMFIELD TO BE A STATE REFEREE.

Thank you. And good almost afternoon, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Joseph M. Shortall of Bloomfield to be a state referee. He comes to us with a positive vote out of the Judiciary Committee. He was first appointed to the bench in the year 1994. He's a graduate of the Columbus School of Law and the Catholic University of America. He comes to us with a positive vote. I would urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. And it is delightful to see you up there presiding over our chamber. I stand in strong support of Judge Shortall's renomination, and actually change of status to become a state referee. Believe it or not, I remember when Judge Shortall was first put on the bench back in 1994. And my recollection is that prior to that, he was very well known as a strong advocate helping in legal aid matters here in Connecticut. And he has an excellent, excellent reputation as a jurist, and has a fabulous demeanor. And I'm glad that he's continuing to give to the people of State of Connecticut, and I strongly stand in support of his nomination to become a state referee. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. Very good to see you up there almost this afternoon now, right at noon time.

Mr. President, I speak also in strong support of the resolution. The State of Connecticut has benefited now since 1994 from the work of Judge Shortall on the bench as a Superior Court judge, now continuing as a trial referee. Prior to that, Mr. President, he was the chief public defender for the State of Connecticut. Had a distinguished career there as a strong advocate and also a talented administrator for that office. And we are fortunate that he has the energy, the health, and the engagement to continue as a referee now with a career of more than 30 years of distinguished service on the bench. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's no objection, I ask this item to be placed on Consent.

Page 1, Calendar No. 137, House Joint Resolution No. 27, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE BARRY K. STEVENS OF STRATFORD TO BE A STATE REFEREE.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Barry K. Stevens of Stratford to be a state referee. He was first appointed to the bench in 1994, currently sits in the civil division in Ansonia and Milford. He's a graduate of New York University School of Law, was awarded the distinguished service award from the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association not too long ago. Sits on several boards and commissions, has a Favorable Report out of Judiciary. I would urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I will be standing after every single one of these, just so you know. I stand in strong support of Judge Stevens for his renomination. I hope colleagues here in the

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. If there's not objection, I'd ask this item be placed on Consent as well.

Page 2, Calendar No. 138, House Joint Resolution No. 28, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE MICHAEL WU OF CANTON TO BE A STATE REFEREE.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Peter -- no, that's not correct.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Picking up from where we left off, before us is the Honorable Michael Wu of Canton to be a state referee. He was first appointed to the bench in 2018, is a graduate of the Western New England University School of Law. Currently sits in the Waterbury Community Court, has several honors, and sits on the Dean's Advisory Council to the Western New England University School of Law. Comes to us with a Favorable Report out of Judiciary. I would urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I also stand in strong support of Michael Wu to become a state trial referee. I would urge my colleagues to support his nomination as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. You jumped me a little bit. Mr. President, if there's not objection, I'd ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 2, Calendar No. 139, House Joint Resolution No. 14, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE PETER A. MCSHANE OF MADISON TO BE A JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Peter A. McShane of Madison to be a judge of the Superior Court. Judge McShane was first appointed to the bench in 2018, is a graduate of the Boston University School of Law, currently sits criminal in the Milford District. Comes to us with a Favorable Report out of Judiciary. I would urge adoption.

Also stand in strong support of McShane becoming a judge -- renomination to judge of Superior Court. Yes, judge of Superior Court. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's not objection, I ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 2, Calendar No. 140, House Joint Resolution No. 15, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE MARGARITA HARTLEY MOORE OF MILFORD TO BE A JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Margarita Hartley Moore of Milford to be a judge of the Superior Court. Comes to us with a Favorable Report out of the Judiciary Committee. Currently sits in the judicial district of Ansonia and Milford. Was appointed to the bench in 2018, is a graduate of the New England School of Law. First day with a new tongue. And I urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I also stand in strong support of the Honorable Margarita Hartley Moore to become renominated as a judge of Superior Court.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's not objection, I ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 2, Calendar No. 141, House Joint Resolution No. 16, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE MAUREEN PRICE-BORELAND OF DURHAM TO BE A JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Maureen Price-Boreland of Durham to be a judge of the Superior Court. Judge Boreland currently sits family in the Middlesex Judicial District, was appointed to the bench in the year 2018. Is a graduate of University of Connecticut School of Law, has several honors, and is well known to many of us. I first became familiar -- well, I won't say, I won't give away the age, but a long, long time ago. And so, a continued effort on the part of Judge Boreland to benefit our state. I would urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I stand in strong support of Judge Boreland becoming renominated to be a judge of Superior Court.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, if there's not an objection, I ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 2, Calendar No. 142, House Joint Resolution No. 18, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE NORMA I. SANCHEZ-FIGUEROA OF SOUTH WINDSOR TO BE A JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Norma I. Sanchez-Figueroa of South Windsor to be a judge of the Superior Court. Judge Sanchez-Figueroa was first appointed to the bench, I lost my place, in 2018, sorry about that, as a judge. But prior to that was a family support magistrate. Currently sits in juvenile matters in New Britain's Superior Court. Is a graduate of the Boston College School of Law. I would urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I also stand in strong support of the Honorable Norma Sanchez- Figueroa to become a judge or renominate to become a judge of Superior Court.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's not objection, I ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 3, Consent Calendar 143, House Joint Resolution No. 19, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE JOSEPH B. SCHWARTZ OF WEST HARTFORD TO BE A JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Joseph B. Schwartz of West Hartford to be a judge of the Superior Court. Judge Schwartz was first appointed in the year 2018. Currently, he sits in the Hartford Judicial District, deals with criminal matters. Is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law. Comes to us with a Favorable Report out of Judiciary. I'd urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I also stand in strong support of the Honorable Joseph Schwartz to become a judge of the Superior Court. I urge my colleagues to support his renomination as well. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's not objection, I ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 3, Calendar No. 144, House Joint Resolution No. 21, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE SUSAN QUINN COBB OF WEST HARTFORD TO BE A JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Susan Quinn Cobb of West Hartford to be a senior judge of the Superior Court. Judge Cobb was appointed to the bench in the year 2010, is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law, is currently sitting in the Hartford Judicial District dealing with civil matters. Comes to us with a Favorable Report out of Judiciary. I would urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I also stand in strong support of the Honorable Susan Quinn Cobb to be renominated to become a judge of the Superior Court. Thank you, Mr. President.

Yes. Mr. President, if there's not objection, I ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 3, Calendar No. 145, House Joint Resolution No. 23, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE JAMES T. GRAHAM OF BLOOMFIELD TO BE A STATE REFEREE.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable James T. Graham of Bloomfield to be a state referee. He's a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Law. Was first appointed to the bench in 1994. Sits in the Hartford Judicial District. I would urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I also stand in strong support of the Honorable James Brown(sic) to become a state referee. I want to urge my colleagues support as well. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's not objection, I'd ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 3, Calendar No. 146, House Joint Resolution No. 24, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE ARTHUR C. HADDEN OF BRANFORD TO BE A STATE REFEREE.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Arthur C. Hadden of Branford to be a state referee. Was appointed to the bench in the year 2002. He's a graduate of the Boston College School of Law. Comes to us with a Favorable Report out of Judiciary. I would urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I also stand in strong support of the renomination of Honorable Hadden to become judge of Superior Court. Oh, state trial referee. Rather, a state trial referee. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Speaking in support of the resolution, Judge Hadden, now serving as a referee, has been on the bench since 2002. Had a very distinguished career as a trial judge in our system and continues to do so as a referee. One of the things I think it's worth noting, that Judge Hadden's distinguished career followed a period of more than 10 years between the time that he was approved by the Judicial Selection Commission until he was finally appointed to the bench. And I know there have been some proposals over the last couple of years that would arbitrarily cut off the amount of time that someone could be on the list before someone is appointed to the bench. And I think Judge Hadden is testimony that that would be very bad policy indeed because it might very well have cost us the services of Judge Hadden, who was patient and waited for a long time. And reminding us, of course, that the amount of time that someone is on the list before being appointed has absolutely nothing to do with the competence or capability of the candidate. It has all to do with the connections or lack of connections that someone may have before they're appointed. The cynical view of that, of course, is someone once said, what is the definition of a judge in an appointive system? It is a lawyer who has a politician as a friend and patron. So, it took Judge Hadden a while to get there, but we have benefited greatly from his service in all the years since. Thank you, Mr. President.

Yes. If there's not objection, I ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 3, Calendar No. 147, House Joint Resolution No. 22, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE DENNIS G. EVELEIGH OF HAMDEN TO BE A STATE REFEREE.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Dennis G. Eveleigh of Hamden to be a state referee. Was appointed to the bench in 1998. Currently assigned to appellate court in New Haven, is a graduate of the UConn School of Law, has sat as a board member at the Connecticut Democracy Center. And I would urge adoption.

Thank you very much. And it would be remiss of me if I didn't comment on Senator Looney's previous comments. And I think that is an apt description of a judge having those contacts. And I, for one, actually agree with Senator Looney's sentiments that I don't think it matters one bit how long one may be on the list of approved nominees to become selected by the Governor to become a judge. And I also noted, to correct the record, that our first nominee, Judge Shortall, obviously my memory back 32 years wasn't perfect. I thought he was in legal aid but he was the chief state public defender. And in fact, I think he ended up marrying someone that was a public defender from up in my neck of the woods back when I was a special public defender. So, memories do fade, but I wanted to clarify that. Judge Eveleigh has an illustrious record serving the people of the State of Connecticut in various capacities. We are honored to have him before us again this afternoon, and I strongly support his renomination. Thank you, Mr. President.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Speaking in support of the resolution, joining the distinguished Chair and Ranking Member. Judge Eveleigh has had a very distinguished career, I think, for the last almost 28 years, I think, since his first appointment. And we're fortunate to continue to benefit from his service. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's not objection, I'd ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 4, Calendar No. 148, House Joint Resolution No. 25, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE JOHN F. KAVANEWSKY, JR. OF NORWALK TO BE A STATE REFEREE.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable John F. Kavanewsky Jr. of Norwalk to be a state referee. Was appointed to the bench in the year 1994, is a graduate of the Wake Forest University School of Law. Currently sits in Stamford and Norwalk, deals with civil issues, has sat on several boards and commissions, including Judicial Review. Has a positive vote out of Judiciary. And I would urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I stand in strong support of the renomination of Judge Kavanewsky to be, I got to make sure I got the right one, a state trial referee. He's good friends with Judge, probably referee now too, Judge Genuario, both hailing from the Norwalk area. And if anything, for those that may not know, Judge Kavanewsky does suffer from physical maladies and he has not let it slow him down whatsoever. And I wanted to compliment the Judicial Branch for not letting anyone's physical disabilities or limitations slow them down in being of service to the people of the State of Connecticut. And I can tell you that there's no doubt in my mind that Judge Kavanewsky's mind is sharp as a whip, as deep thinking as ever, and a real asset to the people of the State of Connecticut. Not only given his judicial acumen but just as an exemplar to people that come before him that, one, we all have things that come and might cause us to trip and stumble along the way, some far more serious than others. But it's how we respond to those challenge that really test our metal and create what becomes our character. And Judge Kavanewsky is just so exemplary in so many ways, and I want to compliment him and Governor Lamont for renominating him and making him now a state referee. And I most heartily endorse this nomination. Thank you, Mr. President.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, if there's not objection, I ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 4, Calendar No. 149, House Joint Resolution No. 9, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE BARBARA A. HOFFMAN OF CLINTON TO BE A JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Yes. Thank you. Before us is the Honorable Barbara A. Hoffman of Clinton to be a judge of the Superior Court. Was appointed to the bench in the year 2018, is a graduate of the OW Coburn School of Law, is currently sitting in New London and Waterford. Comes to us with a positive vote out of the Judiciary Committee. I would urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. I also stand in strong support of Honorable Judge Hoffman to be renominated to be a judge of Superior Court. Thank you.

Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Speaking in support of the resolution. Judge Hoffman has served primarily in juvenile court. Since her appointment eight years ago, is doing a very, very fine job in that assignment. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she was for a number of years an assistant state's attorney in the Middletown GA where she was judicious and someone who always was able to understand the relative weight and merit of a case, and was also very skilled at evaluating human nature and understanding the situations behind whatever the set of charges might be in every case. So, we're fortunate to have her judgment and good sense continuing on the bench. Thank you, Mr. President.

Yes, Mr. President. If there's not objection, I ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 4, Calendar No. 150, House Joint Resolution No. 11, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE RONALD E. KOWALSKI, II OF NORWALK TO BE A JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Ronald E. Kowalski of Norwalk to be a judge of the Superior Court. Was appointed to the bench in the year 2018. He's a graduate of the Suffolk University Law School, is a presiding judge in family in Stamford, Norwalk. Comes to us with a positive vote out of the Judiciary Committee. I would urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I also stand in strong support of the Honorable Ronald Kowalski to become judge of the Superior Court, renominated. I urge my colleagues to support his renomination as well. Thank you, Mr. President.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. If there's not objection, I ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 4, Calendar No. 151, House Joint Resolution No. 13, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE STEPHANIE A. MCLAUGHLIN OF STAMFORD TO BE A JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, before us is the Honorable Stephanie A. McLaughlin of Stamford to be a judge of Superior Court. Was first appointed in the year 2018, is a graduate of the DePaul University College of Law. Currently sits in the Bridgeport Judicial District. Comes to us with a Favorable Report out of Judiciary. I would urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. I also stand in strong support of Stephanie McLaughlin to be renominated as judge of the Superior Court. Thank you, Sir, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's not objection, I'd ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 4, Calendar No. 154, House Joint Resolution No. 10, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE DANIEL J. KLAU OF WEST HARTFORD TO BE A JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Daniel J. Klau of West Hartford to be a judge of the Superior Court. Was appointed to the bench in the year 2018, is a graduate of the Boston University School of Law. Currently sits in Waterbury. Has a positive vote out of Judiciary. I would urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. I also stand in strong support of the Honorable Daniel Klau to be renominated a judge of the Superior Court and would urge my colleagues to support his renomination as well. Thank you, Mr. President.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. If there's not objection, I ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 5, Calendar No. 155, House Joint Resolution No. 12, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE ANN E. LYNCH OF GRANBY TO BE JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, before us is the Honorable Ann E. Lynch of Granby to be a judge of the Superior Court. Was first appointed to the bench in the year 2018, is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law. Currently sits in Litchfield and Torrington. Came to us with a Favorable Report out of Judiciary. I would urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. It is my delight and incredible honor to support the renomination of Ann Lynch, who I believe is my constituent from the great town of Granby, to be a judge of the Superior Court. I would urge my colleagues to support her renomination as well. I don't have like a little teeny bit of Granby. I don't think she lives in that, but I'm going to take credit for her living in my district. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's not objection, I ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 5, Calendar No. 156, House Joint Resolution No. 17, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE STUART D. ROSEN OF AVON TO BE A JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable Stuart D. Rosen of Avon to be a judge of the Superior Court. Judge Rosen was appointed to the bench in the year 2018, is a graduate of the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. Currently sits in the Hartford Judicial District. Comes to us with a Favorable Report out of Judiciary. I would urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. I also stand in strong support of renomination of the Honorable Stuart Rosen to be a judge of the Superior Court. And as we can see, as time marches on, that 2018 class of new judges was an illustrious group of extraordinarily talented individuals that are now going into their second term. And I just wanted to give that little background for our viewers at home. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, if there's not objection, I ask this item be placed on Consent.

Page 5, Calendar No. 157, House Joint Resolution No. 20, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE JAMES FIELD SPALLONE OF IVORYTON TO BE A JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Before us is the Honorable James Field Spallone of Ivoryton to be a judge of the Superior Court. Judge Spallone was appointed to the bench in the year 2018, is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law, and currently sits in New Haven, a great place to be, little biased there. And is a former colleague of many of the folks who are around the circle, who were here at that time, and overall is a great pick for the State of Connecticut. I would urge adoption.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Tremendously honored to support the renomination of the Honorable James Field Spallone to be a judge of the Superior Court. I, like many in this building, had the tremendous honor of serving with now Judge Spallone when he was a representative here in our wonderful legislature. He also went on to serve in the Secretary of State's Office for a number of years. So, he's been just an awesomely dedicated public servant throughout many years for the good people of the State of Connecticut. And again, I would urge my colleagues to support his renomination to become a judge of the Superior Court. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. Nice to be here today. I'll make this quick. Just want to say a couple of words to reiterate what my good colleagues have said. Judge Spallone, former State Rep. Spallone, is a terrific, fair minded, excellent, qualified guy whose dad was a judge for a long time, I gather. And he's a really excellent addition to keep on the bench. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. Speaking in support of the resolution. As was said, Judge Spallone is a former legislative colleague having served with distinction as a state representative, then as an assistant and deputy counsel in the office of Secretary of State before his appointment to the bench initially in 2018. As Senator Kissel pointed out, there were a very large number of judges appointed in 2018 in Governor Malloy's last year in office. And they're all coming up for their eight year -- end of their first term at this point. It was probably the second largest class overall, going back historically to, in 1978 when we had the court consolidation bill, when the Superior Court was enlarged by the addition of judges from the Court of Common Pleas and the other lower courts of limited jurisdiction that were all consolidated into the Superior Court at that time. And their service as Superior Court judges then dated from 1978 and then 1986. I think there were 35 or 40 who came up for appointment because even though they may have been judges at some level prior to '78, their Superior Court service dated from '78. So, '86 was a huge year for judicial reappointments. And I think this year is now maybe next to that in terms of '18 being a very, very significant year in terms of appointment. So, all of those people who are still eligible to serve, now having completed one eight-year term. And Judge Spallone, as was said, is somebody who is thoughtful, judicious, and is doing a fine job for the state and hope he'll continue for many years.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's not objection, I'd ask this item be placed on Consent.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, if I can yield to Senator McCrory, who has an introduction.

Thank you, Senator Duff. Good afternoon, everyone. I just want to recognize some young people here today. You'll notice that there are a number of students up here from our tech schools throughout the State of Connecticut advocating for support for all the hard work they're doing advocating for their teachers, their administrators, and telling us of what great work these tech schools have done in our school systems and for our communities across the State of Connecticut, and I'm so proud of them. But there's a group right here from my hometown of Hartford, Connecticut. If you notice, all this wonderful food that we're having today, they're being provided by the Prince Tech Culinary Arts program. And I just want to recognize these young people for all the hard work they're doing to making sure we have some good quality food today. I want to thank you all. I want to thank your administration, your teachers for bringing us up here today. And I want you to be recognized from our Senate. So, I will give you guys to give them a round of applause, please. Thank you. (applause)

Thank you, Prince Tech, and we will recognize you outside. We'd like to lovely take a picture of you all, and I can post y'all and put y'all on social media and Snapchat, and all the other young things y'all young folks like. We're going to make a whole lot of pictures and let everybody know that you represented your school and your communities and your teachers and your administrators very well today. So, thank you again once again. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, would the Clerk please go back to call the Calendar?

Senator Duff.

On acceptance and adoption of the resolution, will you remark?

Thank you, Senator Duff. The question is on adoption. Will you remark? Senator Berthel.

Will you remark further? Senator Duff.

Seeing and hearing no objection, this will be placed on the Consent Calendar. Mr. Clerk.

Senator Duff.

On acceptance and adoption of the resolution, will you remark?

Thank you, Senator Duff. And the question is on adoption. Will you remark? Senator Berthel.

Will you remark further? Will you remark further? Senator Duff.

Seeing and hearing no objection, so ordered. This item will be placed on the Consent Calendar. Mr. Clerk.

Senator Duff.

On acceptance and adoption of the resolution, will you remark?

Thank you, Senator Duff. The question is on adoption. Will you remark? Senator Berthel.

Senator Looney.

Thank you. Will you remark further? Senator Duff.

Seeing and hearing no objection, so ordered. This item will be placed on this Consent Calendar. Mr. Clerk.

Senator Duff.

On acceptance and adoption of the resolution, will you remark?

The question is on adoption. Will you remark? Senator Berthel.

Will you remark further? Senator Duff.

Seeing and hearing no objection, so ordered. This item will be placed on the Consent Calendar. Mr. Clerk.

Senator Duff.

On acceptance and adoption of the resolution, will you remark?

Thank you. The question is on adoption. Will you remark? Senator Berthel.

Will you remark further? Will you remark further? Senator Maher.

Thank you. Will you remark further? Senator Duff.

Will the Clerk please announce a roll call vote?

Have all the Senators voted? Have all the Senators voted? Have all the Senators voted? The machine will be locked. Mr. Clerk, will you announce the tally?

Senator Duff. Resolution is adopted. (gavel) Senator Duff.

So ordered. Mr. Clerk.

Senator Harding.

Thank you, Senator. So noted. Senator Duff.

On acceptance and adoption of the resolution, will you remark?

Thank you, Senator. Senator Berthel.

Senator Somers, do you accept the yield?

I rise in strong opposition to this nomination. This person was on the Psychiatric Review Board when an individual who murdered someone, then ate their face and their eyeball, was released after 10 years after being sentenced for 60 years’ incarceration. I do not feel comfortable that this person would continue to serve after making a decision in that respect. With all due respect, being a social worker with multiple arts degrees I do not think makes you qualified to be on a psychiatric review board. So, think about the family of the individual who was murdered. You have somebody murder your family member and then do something so horrific that it's out of the worst horror movie that you could possibly imagine. Sentenced to Whiting for 60 years, and then a psychiatric review board says it's okay for them to be released. I strongly feel that we are sending the wrong message for families and for anybody who has lost someone, who has spent time at Whiting Forensic Hospital to allow an individual of this caliber, and concerning the crime that he had committed that is so vicious and almost unimaginable, that we would then reappoint somebody who gave the go for that. And again, I urge my colleagues to vote absolutely no on this reappointment. Thank you, Mr. President.

Immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the in the Senate. We're voting on Senate Resolution No. 5, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF WAKANA HIROTA OF BERLIN TO BE A MEMBER OF THE PSYCHIATRIC SECURITY REVIEW BOARD. An immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF WAKANA HIROTA OF BERLIN TO BE A MEMBER OF THE PSYCHIATRIC SECURITY REVIEW BOARD. An immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the Senate.

Thank you. Senate Resolution No. 5: Total number voting 33 Total voting Yea 24 Total voting Nay 9 Absent not voting 3

Page 7, Calendar No. 33, Senate Resolution No. 6, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF DR. RYAN G. FLANAGAN OF RIDGEFIELD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE PSYCHIATRIC SECURITY REVIEW BOARD.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to recuse myself to avoid any sense of conflict.

Thank you, Mr. President. He's jogging. He's looking good. All right. Getting that heart rate up. All right. Mr. President, I move for acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, Dr. Ryan Flanagan comes from Ridgefield and was passed unanimous in committee. Works at Silver Hill, is an owner psychiatrist, and is also an attending physician at UConn's Health. I urge adoption. Thank you.

Good afternoon, Mr. President. Mr. President, I would ask that we do a roll call vote, and I would like to yield to Senator Perillo.

Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. President. I have the privilege to work with Dr. Flanagan, and I have seen not just the care and compassion that he has for his patients, but I've observed firsthand his clinical knowledge, his clinical skill, and his clinical judgment, and they are unquestioned. So, I stand in very strong support of Dr. Flanagan's nomination, and I would urge my colleagues to support it.

Immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the in the Senate. We're voting on Senate Resolution No. 6, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF DR. RYAN G. FLANAGAN OF RIDGEFIELD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE PSYCHIATRIC SECURITY REVIEW BOARD. An immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF DR. RYAN G. FLANAGAN OF RIDGEFIELD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE PSYCHIATRIC SECURITY REVIEW BOARD. An immediate roll call vote in the Senate.

Total number voting 33 Total voting Yea 33 Total voting Nay 0 Absent not voting 3

Page 7, Calendar No. 34, Senate Resolution No. 7, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF JOSEPH D. MARINO OF WESTBROOK TO BE A MEMBER OF THE PSYCHIATRIC SECURITY REVIEW BOARD.

Thank you, Mr. President. And I rise to recuse myself to avoid any sense of conflict. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I have to say Senator Harding has a great stride as he jogs out of the chamber here. Mr. President, I move acceptance of Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, this nominee was passed unanimous in committee, and I would urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would ask that the vote be taken by roll call. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of Judge Marino's nomination to serve on the Psychiatric Security Review Board. Judge Marino was a long-time well-respected probate judge covering the Middletown area. He served for, I think, over 30 years in that capacity and was beloved in the community. Had a particular focus on serving people with mental health needs and worked very closely with Connecticut Valley Hospital and our other institutions in Middletown. And I think he would be an extraordinary asset to the board. I'm just very grateful for him for continuing his service to the State of Connecticut. And I urge all members to vote in support.

An immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the in the Senate. We're voting on Senate Resolution No. 7, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF JOSEPH D. MARINO OF WESTBROOK TO BE A MEMBER OF THE PSYCHIATRIC SECURITY REVIEW BOARD. An immediate roll call vote in the Senate. We're voting on Senate Resolution No. 7, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF JOSEPH D. MARINO OF WESTBROOK TO BE A MEMBER OF THE PSYCHIATRIC SECURITY REVIEW BOARD. An immediate roll call vote in the

Total number voting 33 Total voting Yea 33 Total voting Nay 0 Absent not voting 3

Page 8, Calendar No. 43, Senate Joint Resolution No. 64, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF DENNIS C. MURPHY OF BRIDGEPORT TO BE REAPPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARBITRATION PANEL.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move adoption of Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, many of us know Dennis Murphy for a long time. Good guy. And he passed unanimous in committee. I would urge adoption.

Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, if there's no objection, might this item be placed on Consent Calendar.

Page 8, Calendar No. 83, Senate Joint Resolution No. 65, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF EVAN PITKOFF OF RIDGEFIELD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, this nominee passed unanimous in committee, and I'd urge adoption.

Mr. President, I rise in support. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of this nomination. Evan Pitkoff is a wonderful educator. He spent his life in our public schools here in Connecticut, and had a career that was outstanding. And so, I'm very excited that he will be on the State Board of Education if his nomination passes. And I think he'll be a tremendous asset to the state, and continue the good work that he's done all his life. So, I support this nomination and look forward to its passage.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Speaking in support of the resolution. Dr. Pitkoff is really a career educator, someone who I first knew a number of years ago when he was assistant superintendent in the town of Hamden. He was someone who not only was an advocate for the schools, but also was exceptional in his meetings with families and connecting to the community. And he also is a scholar on education policy and a genuine humanist. So, I certainly applaud his nomination. It was good to see him again at the hearing. Hadn't seen him in many years. And we're fortunate that he's willing and available to take this on. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, if there's no objection, might this item be placed on Consent Calendar.

Page 8, Calendar No. 84. Senate Joint Resolution No. 66, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF RICHARD H. KOSINSKI OF OXFORD TO BE REAPPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARBITRATION PANEL.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, this nominee passed unanimous in committee, and I would urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Attorney Kosinski is also my constituent in Oxford. And if I remember correctly, he's also a decorated veteran as well. So, I think he's a great reappointment for this role. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, if there's no objection, might this item be placed on Consent Calendar.

Page 8, Senate Calendar No. 85, Senate Joint Resolution No. 67, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF SONIA J. WORRELL- ASARE OF WINDSOR TO BE A MEMBER OF THE STATE ELECTIONS ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, this nominee has passed unanimous in committee, and I know is very interested in this position. I would urge adoption.

Mr. President, I rise in support of the nominee.

Thank you, Mr. President. Move might this item be placed on Consent Calendar if there's no objection.

Page 9, Calendar No. 86. Senate Joint Resolution No. 68, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF SALLY KRUSE OF HAMDEN TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CONNECTICUT PORT AUTHORITY.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, Sally Kruse of Hamden comes to us, she has a great background and was voted unanimously in committee, and I would urge adoption.

Mr. President, I rise in support of the nominee as well.

Thank you, Mr. President. Will the Senate stand at ease for a moment.

Seeing and hearing no objection, the Clerk will place this item on the Consent Calendar.

Senator Duff.

On acceptance and adoption, will you remark?

Question is on adoption. Senator Berthel.

Senator Duff.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, if there's no objection, might this item be placed on Consent.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, the next item on our list, let's see. Calendar page 9, Calendar 88, Senate Resolution No. 9. Could we mark that PT, please? And then if we could mark Calendar page 12, Calendar 166, House Joint Resolution No. 29 as a PR.

Page 9, Calendar No. 89, Senate Joint Resolution No. 69, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF GLENN POWELL OF COLLINSVILLE TO BE REAPPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARBITRATION PANEL.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, this nominee passed unanimously in committee, and I'd urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of the nominee as well.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's no objection, might this item be placed on Consent Calendar.

Page 10, Calendar No. 135, Senate Joint Resolution No. 71, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF SHANNON JACOVINO OF WEST HARTFORD TO BE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES OMBUDSPERSON.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, many of us know Shannon Jacovino from her numerous roles she's had. And I would urge adoption of the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of the nominee. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's no objection, might this item be placed on Consent.

Page 9, Calendar No. 90, Senate Joint Resolution No. 70, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF LINDA YELMINI OF WINDSOR TO BE REAPPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARBITRATION PANEL.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, Linda Yelmini is certainly a familiar name to us here at State Capitol from her many decades of service. And she did pass unanimous in committee, and I would urge adoption.

Thank you again, Mr. President. I rise in support of the nominee.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's no objection, might this item be placed on Consent Calendar.

Page 10, Calendar 152, House Joint Resolution No. 63, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF JAMES DONEGAN OF MILFORD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CONNECTICUT PORT AUTHORITY.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. This nominee passed unanimously in committee. I would urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. I urge support of the nominee as well. And I'd just say that I believe of all the Port Authority nominees we have, that Mr. Donegan brought the most amount of enthusiasm to this important role. So, again, I urge support. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's no objection, might this item be placed on Consent Calendar.

Page 10, Calendar 153, House Joint Resolution No. 64, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF GERALD WEINER OF WOODBRIDGE TO BE REAPPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARBITRATION PANEL.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, Gerald is, again, a familiar name to many of us, and he's been working and helping in state government for many years, many decades. And he passed unanimously in committee. I would urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. I also rise in support of the nominee.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's no objection, might this item be placed on Consent.

Page 10, Calendar No. 158, House Joint Resolution No. 58, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE BARRY F. ARMATA OF SUFFIELD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE JUDICIAL REVIEW COUNCIL.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, this nominee passed unanimously in committee, and I would urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. I also rise in support of the nominee. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, if there's no objection, might this item be placed on Consent Calendar.

Page 11, Senate Calendar 161, House Joint Resolution No. 61, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF PATRICIA M. FEENEY OF PLAINFIELD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND CAREER SYSTEM BOARD.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, nominee passed unanimous in committee, and I would urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. I urge support of the nominee as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's no objection, may this item be placed on the Consent.

Page 11, Calendar 163, House Joint Resolution No. 2, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE EUGENE CALISTRO, JR. OF GUILFORD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE JUDICIAL REVIEW COUNCIL.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, this nominee passed unanimously in committee, and I urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. I urge support of the nominee as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. If there's no objection, may this item be placed on the Consent.

Page 12, Calendar No. 164, House Joint Resolution No. 7, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF SAMARTH BASANTH OF SOUTH WINDSOR TO BE A NONVOTING STUDENT MEMBER OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, some of our nominees who are just the most impressive are always our student members of the State Board of Education. We know certainly that they will succeed well in life, and they have no doubt they have not disappointed us this year as well. Our nominee is a South Windsor High School. She has a 4.0. She was in the science bowl and president and team captain. She's been a research intern for NASA, and passionate interest in committee, and I would urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would align my comments with those of the Majority Leader. The student representatives are always, dare I say, the most interesting of the nominees that come before us and just really speak well to the brilliance that we see in young people across our state. I urge support.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, if there's no objection, may this item be placed on the Consent Calendar.

Page 12, Calendar No. 165, House Joint Resolution No. 8, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF HANSIKA LENKALA OF EAST GRANBY TO BE A NONVOTING STUDENT MEMBER OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, again, another stellar nominee to be a nonvoting member. A weighted GPA of 4.58, which is always very impressive when it's over 4.0. Youth and Policy Education Content intern, and Commission on Women, Children, Seniors Equity, and Opportunity intern, passionate interest in committee, and I would urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. Once again, we have an outstanding nominee for the nonvoting student member of the State Board of Ed. Just truly amazing young people, and very exciting to see them involved at this level. I urge support.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, if there's no objection, may this item be placed on the Consent Calendar.

Page 12, Calendar No. 167, House Joint Resolution No. 30, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF DELWYN F. CUMMINGS OF MERIDEN TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and adoption of the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, this nominee passed unanimously in committee, and I would urge adoption.

Thank you, Mr. President. I urge support of the nominee.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, if there's no objection, may this item be placed on the Consent.

Page 13, Calendar No. 168, House Joint Resolution No. 1, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE TAMMY T. NGUYEN-O'DOWD OF BLOOMFIELD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE JUDICIAL REVIEW COUNCIL.

Thank you. If we can just stand at ease for a moment, please.

On acceptance and adoption of the resolution, will you remark?

Question is on adoption. Senator Berthel.

Will you remark? Senator Duff.

Seeing and hearing no objection, Mr. Clerk, can you place this item on the Consent Calendar?

Senator Duff.

Page 13, Calendar No. 38, substitute for S.B. No. 150, AN ACT CONCERNING THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONERS' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION STATUTES.

Thank you, Madam President. I move adoption of Joint Committee's Favorable Report and passage of the bill.

Yes. Thank you, Madam President. This bill is a technical bill, comes to us from Commissioner's office, and asking for some technical revisions and specifically eliminating a requirement that at least $100,000 of available funding for the Roberta Willis Scholarship Program to be for the Charter Oak grant because that grant was eliminated. So this is just a cleanup technical bill, and I would urge my colleagues to support it. And I thank my good ranking member for his leadership on, not only this bill, but our entire agenda this session. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I rise to confirm what my good colleague expressed is basically a technical and cleanup bill. So, it's a good bill. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. I would ask for a roll call vote.

Immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the in the Senate. We're voting on substitute for S.B. No. 150, AN ACT CONCERNING THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONERS' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION STATUTES. An immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the in the Senate.

S.B. 150: Total Number Voting 34 Total Voting Yea 34 Total Voting Nay 0 Absent and not voting 2

Page 17, Calendar No. 61, S.B. No. 349, AN ACT CONCERNING MODIFICATIONS TO THE FIREFIGHTERS CANCER RELIEF FUND.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam president, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and passage of the bill.

Thank you, Madam President. This bill makes modifications to the Firefighters Cancer Relief Fund. Currently, the law requires that two separate reports be provided from the treasurer, one on the status of the Cancer Relief Fund, and the other on a separate program that provides workers' comp-like benefits. This would merge those two reports into one and would be required the combined report due by October 1st of 2026. The bill also requires the treasurer to submit this report to the Labor and Public Employees Committee in addition to the Firefighters Cancer Relief Fund Advisory Committee, which currently is in law. So I would ask that we move this bill, and that it's a good bill, and it should pass.

Good afternoon, Madam President. Thank you for the recognition. I rise in support of the legislation that is before us. I'm always delighted when the Labor and Public Employees Committee can advance legislation in a bipartisan way that we all agree to that makes positive changes for the people of Connecticut. This is a great opportunity, even though this is a more or less technical bill, to celebrate the success story, which is the Firefighters Cancer Relief Fund. We all certainly would like to do even more than what we're doing today, but this is definitely something that has been beneficial. I know firsthand that it has improved the circumstances for folks that are impacted by cancer as a result of their line of work as firefighters. We've got to make sure that people that are willing to step up in our society to take on these risky roles and to protect us and to make sure that we are kept safe, that we look after them as well. And so I'm delighted that that fund exists and that we're able to continue it. And I certainly support this update to the policy that's technical in nature. Thank you very much, Madam President. Thank you.

Immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the in the Senate. Immediate call vote has been ordered in the Senate. Immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the Senate, S.B. 349, AN ACT CONCERNING MODIFICATIONS TO THE FIREFIGHTERS CANCER RELIEF FUND. An immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the Senate.

S.B. 349: Total Number Voting 34 Total Voting Yea 34 Total Voting Nay 0 Absent and not voting 2

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, the next item on our goal list, that is Calendar Page 27, Calendar 123, S.B. 225. If we can just PT that and move on to the next item, please.

Senator Lopes.

The question is on passage of the bill. Will you remark?

Will you remark further? Senator Harding.

Will you remark further? If not, would the clerk please announce a roll call vote? And the machine will be opened.

Have all the Senators voted? Have all the Members voted? If all Members have voted, the machine will be locked. Would the clerk please announce the tally?

The bill passes. (gavel) I like that part.

Senator Gadkar-Wilcox.

Thank you. The question is on passage of the bill. Will you remark?

The question is on passage of the bill. Will you remark? Senator Sampson.

Will you remark further? If not, would the clerk please announce a roll call vote? The machine will be opened.

Have all the Members voted? Have all the Senators voted? If all Members have voted, the machine will be locked. Would the clerk please announce the tally?

The bill passes. (gavel) Senator Duff.

Page 35, Calendar No. 208, S.B. No. 370, AN ACT CONCERNING THE HOURLY COMPENSATION FOR ADJUNCT FIRE INSTRUCTORS.

Good to see you up there, Madam President. Madam President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and passage of the bill.

Yes, Madam President. Madam President, this bill essentially requires that the DAS commissioner, beginning on July 1st 2026 and every fiscal year after, to adjust the Connecticut fire academy adjunct fire instructor hourly compensation by the same percentage as the general wage increase and cost of living adjustment, including the most recent ratified agreement between the state and the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition. This is actually a good bill, Madam President. Madam President, this bill came unanimous out of the Public Safety Committee, and I urge adoption.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, through you, I have a question to the proponent of the bill.

Thank you. I heard the brief summary of the bill itself. Can you just go over it a little bit more in detail for me? Through you, Madam President.

Thank you. So if you have a specific question for me, Senator, I'll be more than happy to answer that question.

Madam President, I'm sorry. I was interrupted during this summary. Perhaps if he could just quickly go over the summary once again, that might suffice. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, essentially, with this bill, we see this sort of as a recruitment tool, but not just a recruitment tool, but a retention tool, as the fire academy adjunct instructors are not paid in accordance to the cost of living adjustment. And so what we're doing is trying to increase their hourly compensation by the same percentage as the general wage increase and cost of living adjustment included in the most ratified agreement between the state and the State Employees Bargaining Unit.

Yeah. Thank you, Madam President. That's what I thought he said, so thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. And thank you for answering those questions. Thank you to the good Senator for getting clarification. This is something that we've seen in the last couple of years in public safety. Not only recruitment and retention in its totality, but this is a core component of recruitment and then retaining. And we see that firefighters that are coming out of the job, they have to go through the academy, get certain training, certain continuing education, and the individuals that provide that training that is needed, they're becoming few and far between. And we've also seen one of the reasons could be that they're not compensated fairly. They have not seen an increase in their wages for the very valuable services that they are offering. And we felt that it was important speaking to the stakeholders that the raises would be in line with the other agreements of the professionals that are coming through and getting the training that is needed. So I think it's a good bill. I think it's important. And we need to make sure that we have these individuals with the institutional knowledge to provide that wisdom to our firefighters doing the great work they do to keep us safe. And I think it's a great bill and it's good money spent. So I urge my colleagues to support the legislation. Thank you.

Thank you. Yes, Madam President. I would like to align my comments with my colleague that he just made. This is a bill that came out of the Public Safety Committee unanimously, and there was strong bipartisan support. We do believe that our firefighters do such an amazing job ensuring that they are responding to service calls to our state residents. And so, I do think that from an equitable standpoint and point of parity, looking at their compensation and making sure that we are right sizing that is the right thing to do. And I think it sends the right signal that we do care, and I want to commend my colleagues on the Public Safety Committee, as well as you who are in the Chambers, and ask you for your support. So thank you.

Immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the in the Senate. We're voting on S.B. No. 370, AN ACT CONCERNING THE HOURLY COMPENSATION FOR ADJUNCT FIRE INSTRUCTORS. An immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the Senate on S.B. No. 370. An immediate roll call vote in the Senate.

S.B. 370: Total Number Voting 35 Total Voting Yea 35 Total Voting Nay 0 Absent and not voting 1

Page 36, Calendar No. 211, S.B. No. 402, AN ACT REVISING THE DEFINITION OF "RETIRED POLICE OFFICER" FOR PURPOSES OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS REGARDING SCHOOL SECURITY SERVICES.

Thank you. Madam President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and passage of the bill.

Yes. Madam President, essentially, this bill disqualifies anyone who is prohibited from being hired by a law enforcement unit from being eligible to provide armed security services in a public school as a retired police officer. By law, law enforcement units cannot hire a police officer who was previously employed by the unit or in another jurisdiction, and one was dismissed for malfeasance or serious misconduct that called into question his or her fitness to serve as an officer, or two, resign or retire during the investigation into that conduct. Madam President, this came out of the Public Safety Committee favorably. I do believe that having this strict scrutiny and high standard for law enforcement to serve as public safety officers within the context of the school is both beneficial and advantageous for the state and to the respective school in which they'll be working. And so I think that this measure definitely tightens those restrictions up a bit and making sure that we are being prudent and that we're being responsible with this measure. So I urge my colleagues to adopt this piece of legislation.

Thank you, Madam President. I also rise in support of the legislation before us. Our law enforcement officers do such a great job. Words really can't describe what our law enforcement, and all of our first responders do for us on a daily basis, and sometimes we only hear about the negative things, not all of the great things that they do, whether it's saving someone from a very terrible situation or responding to a car accident and performing CPR. And sometimes we hear about the bad actors in the profession, and there are always bad actors in every profession. And no one dislikes a bad officer more than our brave men and women who do the job, do it well every single day. And I believe it was in 2015 or '17, there was a change in the legislation that essentially closed a loophole. So, if an officer was under investigation, they may realize their fate was to be fired, they were able to resign, and then go apply to another department and get a job. And that's something that I believe we all agreed on, that we can't have that. Our brave men and women in public safety need to be held to a higher standard. And that's what the legislation did in '15 and in '17. But what we've seen that needed to be addressed was that loophole was opened up when we started to provide services where first responders are in our school systems, they need to be POST certified, so you could be a retired officer as long as you keep up your post certification. We want those brave men and women with all that institutional knowledge to be in our schools, keep our children safe. But we saw that there was the ability that an officer that maybe was under investigation, retires or resigns, and the investigation wasn't complete, they were still able to go work as a school resource officer. And we thought that it was extremely important that we hold our brave men and women accountable. And I believe that this was supported by all stakeholders. And I think it's a common sense smart piece of legislation, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support it today. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I also just want to echo the comments made by my ranking. The Public Safety Committee worked very well together and on a bipartisan basis, and I believe that that is the strength of our committee, and the strength of this building is that finding common ways to work with each other and also to highlight the fact that our law enforcement officials do a herculean job of protecting and serving our communities. And certainly, we want to do more, and we are doing more. We're pushing the needle on that, but I believe that this piece of legislation helps to raise that standard with regard to this measure before us. And I'm encouraging my colleagues to vote yes. Thank you.

Immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the in the Senate. We're voting on S.B. No. 402, AN ACT REVISING THE DEFINITION OF "RETIRED POLICE OFFICER" FOR PURPOSES OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS REGARDING SCHOOL SECURITY SERVICES. An immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the 402. An immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the Senate. An immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the Senate. An immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the Senate. We're voting on S.B. 402. An immediate roll call vote in the Senate.

S.B. 402: Total Number Voting 36 Total Voting Yea 36 Total Voting Nay 0 Absent and not voting 0

Good afternoon, Madam President. Madam President, I rise for an announcement.

Thank you, Madam President. Nice to see you up there today. Madam President, I just wanted to announce to the members of the Senate that the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, and the Connecticut Children's Alliance are hosting a reception from 3:00 to 5:00 PM today in the Old Appropriations Room. Coffee and dessert will be served, and providers from across the state, who work with the needs of people who deal with gender-based violence, will be there at the reception. They'll be from all corners of the state, all of our local communities. Their local agencies who work with survivors of gender- based violence will be here in Old Appropriations between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. I hope that many of our colleagues can stop by and attend. Thank you, Madam President.

Page 37, Calendar No. 221, S.B. No. 429, AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION.

Good afternoon, Mr. President. Mr. President, good to see you. I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and passage of the bill.

Yes. Mr. President, this bill is quite straightforward. It fixes an obscure statute in our Medicaid statutes about how ambulances bill the Medicaid program. And I guess back in the 1970s when this law was passed, we did not have GPS, and so it was difficult for ambulances to determine the exact mileage from point A to point B. And so in lieu of that, the statute says that ambulances should bill based on the distance between the post office in one town to the post office in another town. Obviously, that is not the exact distance that is being traveled. So this bill just simply recognizes that in the year 2026, we know how far it is from one point A to point B. You could plug that through a GPS. And so this substitutes, the actual distance for the distance between the post offices. It was supported by all of the associations representing hospitals and ambulance providers, as well as by our Department of Social Services. I urge passage.

Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate it. The good Chair is absolutely correct. It was a stupid policy in the '70s, it's a stupid policy now. This bill fixes it. It makes perfect sense. Once upon a time, I was the chief of my town's volunteer ambulance service. We thought it was ridiculous. I'm glad that we're taking this step to fix it, and it's a very simple bill, and it ought to pass.

Immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the in the Senate. We're voting on S.B. No. 429, AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION. An immediate roll call vote has been ordered in the Senate. We're voting on S.B. 429, AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION. An immediate roll call vote in the Senate.

S.B. 429: Total Number Voting 36 Total Voting Yea 36 Total Voting Nay 0 Absent and not voting 0

Page 42, Calendar No. 244, substitute for S.B. No. 380, AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE TO SUPPORT PROMISE PROGRAMS IN THE STATE, the two amendments.

Thank you, Mr. President. Yes. I rise with the intent to amend S.B. 380, and then to have it referred to the Appropriations Committee. So the clerk is in possession of an amendment, LCO No. 3876. I'd ask that the clerk call the amendment, and I'd be given permission to summarize.

Will you remark further?

Will you remark further? Will you remark further? If not, I would try to remind all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, if we can refer this item to the Appropriations Committee.

Page 42, Calendar No. 247, AN ACT CONCERNING OVERSIGHT OVER HIGHER EDUCATION

Thank you, Mr. President. Nice to see you up there. Mr. President, I move acceptance of the Joint Committee's Favorable Report and passage of the bill.

Thank you. Yes. This is an incredibly important bill coming out of the Government Oversight Committee to have further oversight and accountability of the merger of our community colleges and Connecticut state universities. That consolidation happened with a promise of new and better opportunities for students to have more programming, for reducing administrative costs, for ensuring that there would be a seamless transition between these two different entities when it comes to the mission of the community college and the state universities. What we would like to know as a matter of a continued oversight responsibility and function is, where are we in that process? Has there been administrative savings, for example, in the consolidation? Have we increased programming for students? We heard some testimony, in fact, stating the opposite, that students are finding it harder to have programming. There's less available at local campuses that students are finding it less accessible to be able to access that faculty, or finding it harder to deliver programs. So we'd like to see where we are with that consolidation. How have the missions of these two very different entities when it comes to the purpose of community college and the function of state universities, how have they merged? How have we aligned the mission? What are the student outcomes? And also, equally importantly, what is sort of the financial product as a result of the consolidation? Has there been any administrative savings, or have we shifted administrative costs just to a centralized office? So this bill asks for a study for the Board of Regents to provide that information, to provide some of that data now that we've had some years looking at this consolidation, so that we can assess whether or not it is in fact producing the results that were promised. Mr. President, the clerk is also in possession of a technical amendment, LCO No. 3867, and I'd ask the clerk to please call that amendment.

Will you remark further?

The question is on adoption of the amendment. Will you remark further? If not, let me try your minds. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Good afternoon, Mr. President. Good to see you up there. I rise in support of the bill that is before us, AN ACT CONCERNING OVERSIGHT OVER HIGHER EDUCATION. This is another bipartisan product of the Government Oversight Committee. Like I said earlier today, on a similar bill that expanded the auditors' recommendations to how our state government will operate in the future, this is another mechanism to provide transparency and accountability to our higher education services in Connecticut. The good chairman described the bill in some detail, so I won't get into all of the individual aspects of it, although I will point out that I think that having some direct accountability and reporting coming from the administration itself regarding a cost of benefit analysis of eliminating the central office, whether or not there was a significant percentage change between administrative positions or faculty positions, I think is important. A detailed comparison of the budgets before and after the consolidation, I think is important. I think the report that is required regarding personnel, I think, will be very telling to whether or not we're actually achieving any savings or efficiencies in this change. And of course, the final part of this is a strategic master plan that we would hope that any of our operations as a state government would include. What is our plan going forward for how we're going to operate for the benefit of the people of Connecticut that we represent? I'm very delighted with the majority of the policy that is coming out of the Government Oversight Committee. A lot of the other work that we do in this building can be somewhat contentious, but I think that we're working together very well with the notion that the people that we serve require and demand accountability from their state government. They should know how their money is being spent, what government officials are up to, what they are doing, and I'm delighted to work with folks on both sides of the aisle that seem to recognize that responsibility is real, and we are working together to try and make these things happen. I do think that a lot of these bills could go further, but I think we're off to a good start. And as I mentioned also earlier, I think having the first round of some of this reporting will lead to additional ability for us to put in new protocols, new protections, and new accountability. So, with that, I'm delighted to join my colleagues and sponsor this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to adopt it. It passed onto the committee unanimously, and I suspect that we may have a similar result here in the Senate. And that's a good thing. When we can work together, I think that more times than not, we actually come up with good policy and put aside our partisan differences. I don't know that this will end up in the news today. I don't think that they tend to report, oh, the Republicans and the Democrats, they got along today. But it does happen, and I'm proud to report that this is one of those instances. So thank you very much, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. I do rise in support of the bill. I think Senator Sampson summarized it well in that it is a very strong bipartisan effort to bring fiscal stability and oversight to a department in our state which sorely needs it. With that said, I do feel that we can go a little further, or at least address one particular issue in terms of fiscal responsibility within the higher ed system here in Connecticut. Not only do we need more oversight like we're seeing here, which I do support, but we also need to address what occurred that led us to this particular position, where we felt compelled rightly to do something about oversight and finances within Higher Ed. And that is what we noticed with a purchase card system and misuse of it, particularly by the chancellor, Mr. Cheng, an individual that's getting paid nearly $500,000 a year. And when you think about how our hard-earned taxpayer dollars are sent to Hartford, and our constituents' hard-earned tax dollars are sent to Hartford, what $500,000 can do in places somewhere else that could do a lot more for the people of this state, as opposed to the salary of an individual that frankly was stealing money from the state of Connecticut on his purchase card. Again, this is an individual that was spending nearly $30,000 annually on a purchase card for steaks, lavish meals, travel, dry cleaning, things that clearly are not within the confines of what a purchase card should be. And instead of the governor, us here in the legislature, the Board of Regents doing what I believe was the right thing and saying that this individual needs to be terminated for this conduct, this individual was essentially given a no-show job. And the reason I say that is he was removed from his position as chancellor. There was a new chancellor appointed, but Mr. Cheng did not have his salary reduced. He continued to retain his $442,000 annual salary despite the fact that he was removed as chancellor. And he was given the position as "advisor to the board". $442,000, $500,000 of taxpayer money, our earned constituent's money going to an individual that was advisor to the board. Now, you would think that if you're getting paid nearly $500,000 and you're an adviser to the board, that you would show up to the board meetings. There has been numerous board meetings since Mr. Cheng was moved to this position, I believe, about six or seven months ago. And my understanding is he has shown up to zero of them, whether it be remotely or in-person. Again, $500,000 of taxpayer money, an advisor to the board getting paid that money, and you don't even bother showing up to the meetings? And what's even more glaring is we find out by, an investigative reporter that Mr. Cheng has sent a grand total of 42 emails as a $500,000 employee of the State University System and advisor to the board. He has sent a grand total of 42 emails in that seven-month period. We are having the taxpayers of this state, your constituents, pay $500,000 a year to an advisor of the board that sent a grand total of 42 emails over a seven-month period. Gosh, I could find a lot of better ways to spend that $442,000, and I think all of you in this Chamber would agree. And so, Mr. President, the clerk is in possession of LCO No. 3881. I ask the clerk to please call the amendment.

Will you remark further? Senator Harding.

Please proceed.

Duly noted.

Will you remark further? Senator Sampson.

Will you remark further? Senator Gadkar-Wilcox.

Will you remark further? If not, will the clerk please call the roll? The machine will be opened.

Have all Senators voted? The machine will be locked. Mr. Clerk.

The amendment fails. Will you remark further? Will you remark further? If not, Mr. Clerk, the machine will be opened. Please call the roll.

Have all the Senators voted? Have all the Senators voted? Mr. Clerk.

The bill passes. (gavel)

Senator Duff.

Mr. Clerk. So ordered.

Senator Duff.

On acceptance and adoption of the resolution, will you remark? Senator Duff.

Will you remark further? Senator Berthel.

So ordered. Will you remark further? Any other remarks? Senator Flexer.

Thank you, Senator. Will you remark further? Senator Slap.

Thank you, Senator. Question is on adoption. Will you remark further? President Looney.

Thank you, Mr. President. The question is on adoption. Will you mark further? If not, will the Clerk please call the roll? The machine will be opened.

Have all the members voted? If all the members have voted, the machine will be locked. Mr. Clerk.

The Resolution is adopted. (gavel)

Senator Duff.

On acceptance and adoption of the Resolution, will you remark?

Thank you, Senator. Senator Berthel?

Will you remark further? President Senator Flexer.

Thank you, Senator. Will you remark further? Question is on adoption. Will you remark further? President Looney.

Thank you. Will you remark further? Will you remark further? Question is on adoption. If not, Mr. Clerk, the machine will be opened.

Have all the members voted? If all the members have voted, the machine will be closed. The Clerk will announce -- what's that? The machine will be closed. The Clerk will announce the tally.

Senator Duff. Oh, the Resolution passes. (gavel) Thank you. Senator Duff.

Mr. Clerk, before you call the Consent Calendar, will you please call the items, please? Call the items.

Have all the Senators voted? If all members have voted, the machine will be locked. The Clerk, please announce the vote.

The Consent Calendar is adopted.

Senator Anwar.

Will you remark further, sir?

Thank you, Senator. Question is on passage. Senator Somers.

Will you remark further? Will you remark further? If not, the machine will be opened. Will the Clerk please call the roll?

Have all the Senators voted? If all the members have voted, the machine will be locked. Will the Clerk please announce the tally?

The bill passes. (gavel) Senate will stand at ease.

Happy birthday. Senator Miller.

Please proceed.

So ordered.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Marx.

One second. Sorry, Senator Marx. Mr. Clerk.

Apologies, Senator. Please proceed.

LCO No. 3850, Senate Amendment "A".

Will you remark further? Will you remark further? If not, let me try your minds. All those in favor, please signify by saying Aye. (MEMBERS): Aye.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, will the Clerk please refer this item to the Judiciary Committee?

Chamber stand at ease.

Mr. President, for the purpose of referrals.

Page No. 16, Calendar 55, Bill 122. I would like to refer to Judish.

Page No. 20, Calendar No. 79, Bill No. 289. I would like to refer to Approps.

Page 22, Calendar No. 98, Bill 300, refer to Judish.

Page 14, Calendar 42, Bill 154, refer to Approps.

Page 21, Calendar 91, Bill 6, refer to Approps.

Page 29, Calendar 175, Bill No. 316, refer to Approps.

Page 29, Calendar 172, page 232, refer to Judish.

Page 29, Calendar 173, Bill No. 233, refer to Judish.

Page 33, Calendar 196, Bill 4, refer to Judish.

Page 38, Calendar No. 224, Bill No. 5, refer to Judish.

Page No. 38, Calendar 226, Bill 117, refer to Judish.

Page 31, Calendar No. 182, Bill 386, refer to Approps.

Page 31, Calendar No. 183, Bill No. 387, refer to Approps.

Page 42, Calendar No. 248, Bill No. 424, refer to Approps.

Page No. 27, Calendar 124, Bill 256, refer to Judish.

Page 27, Calendar No. 125, Bill No. 257, refer to Judish.

Page 35, Calendar No. 204, Bill No. 329, refer to Approps.

Page No. 43, Calendar No. 251, Bill No. 433, refer to Approps.

Page No. 44, Calendar No. 258, Bill No. 480, refer to Judish.

Page No. 20, Calendar No. 82, Bill No. 347, refer to Judish.

Page No. 21, Calendar No. 96, Bill No. 271, refer to Judish.

Page 28, Calendar No. 131, Bill No. 350, refer to Approps.

Page No. 28, Calendar No. 132, Bill No. 356, refer to Judish.

Page No. 43, Calendar No. 253, Bill No. 439, refer to Judish.

Page No. 31, Calendar No. 186, Bill No. 447, refer to Finance.

Page No. 32, Calendar No. 189, Bill No. 362, refer to Finance.

Page No. 35, Calendar No. 205, Bill No. 359, refer to Finance.

Page No. 14, Calendar No. 45, Bill No. 238, refer to Approps.

Page No. 15, Calendar No. 50, Bill No. 193, refer to Approps.

Page No. 30, Calendar No. 181, Bill No. 375, refer to Approps.

Page No. 32, Calendar No. 192, Bill No. 373, refer to Finance.

Page No. 37, Calendar No. 218, Bill No. 410, refer to Approps.

Page No. 41, Calendar No. 243, Bill No. 369, refer to Approps.

Page No. 39, Calendar No. 228, Bill No. 236, refer to Judish.

Page No. 23, Calendar No. 103, Bill No. 377, refer to Finance.

Page No. 17, Calendar No. 63, Bill No. 134, refer to Finance.

Just do a string of referral to Judish.

So ordered.

So ordered. Absolutely. Senator Miller.

Are there any other announcements?

Sorry. Senator Martin.

Thank you, Senator. Any other business on the Clerk's desk? Oh, sorry. Senator Miller.

Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. If there are no other business, I move to adjourn. Senator Miller.

Without objection, the Senate stands adjourned subject to the call of Chair. (On motion of Senator Miller of the 27th, the Senate at 3:38 p.m. adjourned subject to the call of the Chair.)