OLR Bill Analysis
AN ACT CONCERNING THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, AND TRANSFERRING RESPONSIBILITY FOR AMUSEMENT PARK OVERSIGHT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION.
This bill eliminates the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) and transfers its functions and responsibilities to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the functions and responsibilities of the DEMHS' commissioner to the public safety commissioner.
Under current law, DEMHS is responsible for providing a coordinated, integrated program for statewide emergency management and homeland security. The bill creates a Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security in DPS, but the division's duties are unclear (§ 23).
It increases, from 70% to 100%, the amount towns must pay resident troopers for overtime and fringe benefits directly associated with the overtime costs of trooper services. Towns continue to pay 70% of regular costs (§ 35).
The bill puts the Board of Firearm Permit Examiners in DPS for all purposes, instead of for administrative purposes only. By law, the board hears appeals of gun permit decisions (§ 36).
The bill transfers responsibility for regulating amusement parks from DPS to the Department of Consumer Protection (§ 37 et seq. ).
Finally, the bill makes numerous technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011
§§ 1-22 — TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
The bill requires DPS to assume all of DEMHS' responsibilities, functions, powers, duties, and obligations. Any DEMHS order or regulation in force on July 1, 2011 remains in force as a DPS order until amended, repealed, or superseded. If any of the departments' orders or regulations conflict, the bill allows the DPS commissioner to implement policies and procedures, consistent with law, until final regulations are adopted. The bill makes technical and conforming changes.
§§ 23-34 — EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY DIVISION
The bill replaces DEMHS with a Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security within DPS, designating the “department,” not the division, as the designated emergency management and homeland security agency for the state. It does not define the division's role. It also makes technical and conforming changes.
§ 35 — RESIDENT TROOPER PROGRAM
Under current law, towns pay 70% of the cost and other expenses of a resident trooper. The bill increases, from 70% to 100%, the amount towns must pay resident troopers for overtime and fringe benefits directly associated with overtime costs. Towns continue to pay 70% of regular costs and other expenses.
§ 36 — BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
The bill puts the Board of Firearm Permit Examiners in DPS for all purposes, instead of for administrative purposes only.
By law, the board hears appeals from people aggrieved by an official's decision to deny, revoke, or refuse to issue a gun permit. The board conducts informal hearings.
§§ 37-46 — AMUSEMENT PARK REGULATION
The bill transfers responsibility for regulating amusement parks from DPS to the Department of Consumer Protection and makes technical and conforming changes.
BACKGROUND
Related Bill
sSB 997, reported favorably by the Public Safety and Security Committee, broadens DEMHS' jurisdiction by putting it in charge of fire service personnel, municipal police, emergency medical services, and emergency telecommunications.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Safety and Security Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea |
14 |
Nay |
9 |
(03/15/2011) |