Government Administration and Elections Committee

JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT

SPONSORS OF BILL:

Government Administration and Elections Committee

REASONS FOR BILL:

The reason for this bill is to allow electronic mail to fulfill the notice requirements for government entities.

The substitute language (LCO 2889) does not allow for electronic mailing to fulfill notice requirements, but takes the first step in requiring the Department of Administrative Services to do a study concerning the feasibility of this concept.

RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:

None Expressed

NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:

Kachina Walsh-Weaver, Senior Legislative Associate, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities

Connecticut Conference of Municipalities supports this bill because it would “allow for making certain required notices via electronic mail, rather than through postal mail. Not only would such a proposal provide for more efficient and effective notice, it would also be a considerable cost savings with regard to printing and postage.” CCM also urges the Committee to advance legislation that would modify the requirements for posting legal notices in newspapers to allow municipalities the ability to publish notice of the availability of a particular document on their website, instead of having to publish the entire document.

Leigh Walton, Pitney Bowes

Pitney Bowes supports this legislation because it would provide their customers in Connecticut with as many communications channels as possible and a combination of digital and physical communications both saves business and government money, and gives consumers and constituents what they want.

NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:

None Expressed