GENERAL APPOINTMENT PROVISIONS 5

Appointees' Terms 5

The Pleasure of the Appointing Authority and Length of Term 5

Coterminous 5

Deadline for Making Nominations 5

Term of Legislative Appointees 6

Term of Gubernatorial Appointees 6

Senate Appointment Deadline 6

DEPARTMENT HEAD APPOINTMENT PROCESS 7

Appointment and Term of Department Heads 7

Confirmation Process 7

Confirming Nominations 7

Qualifications, Duties, and Powers 8

CONFLICTING OR OBSOLETE STATUTORY PROVISIONS 9

DEPARTMENT HEADS 10

Commissioner of Administrative Services (CGS §§ 4a-1 and 4a-2) 10

Commissioner of Agriculture (CGS §§ 22-4 and 22-6) 10

Commissioner of Banking (CGS §§ 36a-10 et seq., 36a-50 et seq.) 11

Board of Education and Services for the Blind, Executive Director, (CGS §§ 10-294 and 10-298) 11

Commissioner of Children and Families (CGS §§ 17a-5 and 17a-6) 12

Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, Executive Director, (CGS § 10-393) 12

Commissioner of Consumer Protection (CGS §§ 21a-1 and 21a-11) 13

Commissioner of Correction (CGS §§ 18-80 and 18-81) 13

Commissioner of Developmental Services (CGS § 17a-210, as amended by PA 07-73) 14

Commissioner of Economic and Community Development (CGS § 32-1b) 14

Commissioner of Education (CGS §§ 10-3a and 4-5, PA 07-114) 15

State Board of Education (CGS §§ 10-1; 10-4) 15

Commissioner of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (CGS § 28-1a) 16

Commissioner of Environmental Protection (CGS § 22a-5) 16

Commissioner of the Office of Health Care Access (CGS §§ 19a-612 and 19a-613, PA 05-151) 17

Chief Information Officer (CGS § 16a-110) 17

Insurance Commissioner (CGS § 38a-8) 18

Commissioner of Labor (CGS §§ 31-1 to 31-3) 18

Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services (CGS § 17a-451) 19

Office of Military Affairs, Executive Director (PA 07-205) 19

Commissioner of Motor Vehicles (CGS § 14-2 et seq.) 20

Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management (CGS § 4-65a) 21

Commissioner of Public Health (CGS §§ 19a-1a, 19a-1d, and 19a-2) 21

Commissioner of Public Safety (CGS § 29-1b) 22

Commissioner of Public Works (CGS § 4b-1) 22

Commissioner of Revenue Services (CGS §§ 12-2, 12-3, 12-7a, and 12-7b) 23

Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs (CGS § 27-102l) 23

Commissioner of Social Services (CGS § 17b-3) 24

Commissioner of Transportation (CGS § 13b-3 and 13b-4) 24

Ombudsman for Property Rights (CGS §§ 48-50 to 48-57) 25

NON-DEPARTMENT HEAD INDIVIDUALS 26

Auditors of Public Accounts (CGS §§ 2-89 and 2-90) 26

Business Advocate, Office of (CGS § 32-725) 26

Child Advocate, Office of (CGS §§ 46a-13k and 46a-13l) 27

Claims Commissioner (CGS §§ 4-142 and 4-142a) 27

Consumer Counsel (CGS § 16-2a(c)) 27

State Contracting Standards Board, Executive Director (PA 07-1, September Special Session) 28

Department of Developmental Services, Ombudsman (CGS § 17a-210a, PA 07-73) 28

Healthcare Advocate (CGS §§ 38a-1040 to 1050) 29

Human Rights Referee (CGS § 46a-57) 29

Legislative Commissioners (CGS §§ 2-54 and 2-56) 30

Connecticut Siting Council, Chairperson (CGS § 16-50j) 30

Division of Special Revenue, Executive Director (CGS § 12-557c) 31

Victim Advocate (CGS § 46a-13b) 31

BOARDs and COMMISSIONS 32

Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CGS § 46a-52) 32

Connecticut River Valley Flood Control Commission (CGS § 25-100) 32

Criminal Justice Commission (CGS § 51-275a) 33

Education Arbitration Panel (CGS § 10-153f (a)) 33

State Elections Enforcement Commission (CGS §§ 9-7a to 9-7c) 34

Freedom of Information Commission (CGS §§ 1-205 and 1-205a) 34

Gaming Policy Board (CGS §§ 12-557d and 12-557e) 35

Judicial Review Council (CGS § 51-51k) 35

Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations (CGS § 31-102) 36

Connecticut Medical Examining Board, Chairperson (CGS § 20-8a, PA 05-275) 36

Metro North New Haven Rail Commuter Council (CGS § 13b-212b) 37

Milk Regulation Board (CGS §§ 22-131 and 22-133) 38

New Haven Harbor Commission (Sp. Laws Vol. VII (1872) pp. 287, 748, and CGS § 13b-51) 38

Board of Pardons and Paroles (CGS § 54-124a) 39

Psychiatric Security Review Board (CGS § 17a-581) 39

Public Utilities Control Authority (CGS § 16-2) 40

Thames River Valley Flood Control Commission (CGS § 25-102) 40

Workers' Compensation Commission Advisory Board (CGS § 31-280a) 41

HIGHER EDUCATION BOARDS 42

Confirmation Process 42

Board for State Academic Awards—Members and Chairperson (CGS §§ 10a-143(d) and 4-9c) 42

Board of Governors of Higher Education (CGS § 10a-2) 42

Community-Technical College Board of Trustees (CGS §§ 10-71 and 10-72) 43

Connecticut State University Board of Trustees (CGS §§ 10a-88 and 10a-89) 43

New England Board of Higher Education (CGS §§ 10a-62 and 10a-63) 44

University of Connecticut Board of Trustees (CGS §§ 10a-103, 10a-104) 44

QUASI-PUBLIC AGENCIES 45

Connecticut Development Authority, Chairperson (CGS § 32-11a (c)) 45

Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority, Chairperson (CGS § 10a-179) 45

Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority, Chairperson (CGS § 10a-224) 46

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Chairperson (CGS § 8-244) 46

Connecticut Innovation, Incorporated, Chairperson (CGS § 32-35) 47

Connecticut Lottery Corporation Board of Directors (CGS § 12-802) 47

Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CGS § 22a-261) 48

Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, Chairperson (CGS § 22a-261) 48

The following provisions generally apply to all appointments and confirmations. In addition, there are provisions applying to the appointment of “department heads” and, in some cases, provisions applying only to the appointment and confirmation of particular offices.

Unless otherwise specified, all appointees hold office for the term prescribed by law and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Appointees are not compensated unless prescribed by law, but may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses (CGS § 4-1).

If a term is not specified by law, appointed officials, including members of boards and commissions, serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority, but not longer than the term of the appointing authority or until a successor is appointed and qualified (CGS § 4-1a).

“Coterminous” means that an appointee's term ends on the same day as that of the appointing authority. For practical purposes, the term of a department head is coterminous with that of the governor's. But in a legal sense, a department head's term is not. Instead, a department head's term ends on the March 1 following the beginning of a governor's term. This provision enables a smooth transition of power.

The law generally requires gubernatorial nominations that must be confirmed by the legislature to be made on or before May 1. If a vacancy results from a death occurring on or after May 1 and before legislative adjournment, the governor must nominate a replacement as soon as possible (CGS § 4-2).

Unless provided otherwise, the term of a legislative appointee begins on the July 1 following his appointment (CGS § 4-3).

Unless provided otherwise, the term of a gubernatorial appointee begins on the July 1 following appointment, but the term of the governor's staff, executive secretary, and clerk begin on the date of appointment (CGS § 4-4).

The Senate, except for confirming department heads, must take final action on each gubernatorial nomination within 15 session days from the date on which the nomination has been sent to it by the governor, or before adjournment, whichever is sooner. If the Senate fails to act by its deadline, the law allows the governor to fill the position without confirmation until the sixth Wednesday of the next session and until a successor is appointed and qualified (CGS § 2-39). The Senate's deadline for confirming department heads is controlled by the law for such appointments, described in the next section.

The law establishes special procedures for the nomination and appointment of department heads.

The governor must appoint each department head by March 1 of the first year of the governor's term with the advice and consent of either chamber of the General Assembly. Department heads serve at the pleasure of the governor, but not longer than four years from March 1 in the year of appointment, unless reappointed. If a department head is not appointed by March 1, the incumbent may continue to serve until March 10 (CGS § 4-6).

The governor must make the nominations for all department heads by February 1 of the first year of the gubernatorial term. A nomination may be made to either chamber of the General Assembly. That chamber has sole responsibility for confirming the nomination.

The statute identifies which office is a “department head” for the purposes of the statutory confirmation procedure. The list of offices includes, among others, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, 23 commissioners of state departments, certain executive directors and the State Board of Education (CGS § 4-5).

The chamber that received the governor's nomination must “immediately refer” it to its committee on executive nominations. The committee must report by resolution within 15 calendar days after the date of reference. The chamber must accept or reject the resolution. If confirmed, the nominee may take office on March 1 of the year in which he is nominated, with two exceptions (CGS § 4-7(a) as amended by PA 07-250, § 17). One, if a nominee is not appointed or reappointed by March 1, the incumbent may continue to serve until March 10. Two, if a department head position is vacant before March 1 during the first year of a governor's term, the nominee may exercise the powers and duties of the office as a designate before confirmation (CGS § 4-7(b)(2)).

Vacancy Appointments During the Interim. If a vacancy occurs during a legislative interim, the governor must fill it until the sixth Wednesday of the next regular session. The governor must submit the name of the vacancy appointee to either chamber for confirmation at the beginning of the next regular session. The chamber to which the nomination was submitted must follow the procedure for vacancies occurring when the General Assembly is in session (CGS § 4-7(c)).

Rejected Nominations. No one whose nomination has been rejected by resolution may serve in the office for which he was nominated during the term of the chamber that rejected him (CGS § 4-7(d)).

The law requires department heads to be qualified by training and experience for the duties of their office. They must act as the governor's executive officer to accomplish their department's purposes. They must plan comprehensively and coordinate their agencies' programs, organize their agency to promote economy and efficiency, and designate deputies to act on their behalf when absent. They may abolish, transfer, or consolidate the parts of the agency; make regulations; enter into contracts; receive money, revenue, or services from the federal government, corporations, associations, or individuals; and create advisory boards.

They must devote their full time to their duties with the department and may not engage in any other gainful employment (CGS § 4-8).

There are conflicting statutory provisions concerning the appointment and confirmation of certain offices. In 1995, the General Assembly abolished the Department of Liquor Control, transferred its functions to the Department of Consumer Protection, and reconstituted the commission by making the consumer protection commissioner its chairperson. Even though the department no longer exists, the law on legislative confirmation designates the Liquor Control Commission as a department head and requires appointments to it to be confirmed by the legislature. In practice, the governor has not submitted commission appointees to the legislature for confirmation since the department was abolished in 1995.

The statute requiring legislative confirmation designates the chairperson of the Public Utilities Control Authority as a “department head” subject to legislative confirmation, but the statute creating the authority requires the board members to elect their own chairperson. In practice, the governor has submitted appointments as members to the legislature for confirmation but has not submitted an appointment as chairperson, and the authority has been electing its own chairperson.

The statute requiring legislative confirmation designates the State Board of Education as a “department head” subject to legislative confirmation by either chamber of the legislature. The statute creating the board requires consent by both chambers. In practice, nominees to the board have been confirmed by both chambers.

The law requires the legislature to confirm the appointment of the chairperson of two quasi-public agencies that are no longer active. The Lower Fairfield County Conference or Exhibition Authority put itself “on hold” in 1997 and the last time the governor submitted the name of an appointee for confirmation was in 1992. The Connecticut Housing Authority's duties have been transferred to the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and the last time the governor submitted the name of an appointee for confirmation was in 1995.

Because these offices do not require confirmation or these agencies are not in existence, this report does not include: the Liquor Control Commission, the chairperson of the Public Utilities Control Authority, the chairperson of the Lower Fairfield County Conference or Exhibition Authority, or the chairperson of the Connecticut Housing Authority.

The following offices are designated as department heads by statute (CGS 4-5).

The commissioner is responsible for establishing personnel policy and personnel administration for state employees; purchasing and providing supplies, materials and equipment for state agencies; publishing laws, stationery, and forms; and collecting funds due the state for public assistance.

The commissioner must encourage and promote the development of agriculture, investigate practical methods of husbandry, and publish (1) information and statistics about agriculture and animal industries and interests and (2) bulletins in cooperation with the University of Connecticut, among other things.

The commissioner may adopt regulations necessary to administer the department; investigate and examine anyone concerning issues within his jurisdiction; hold a hearing in connection with an application or on an issue within his jurisdiction; and take certain enforcement actions. He is also responsible for reporting annually on (1) the condition of banks and other organizations the Banking Department examines, (2) administration of the Truth-in-Lending Act, (3) home financing, and (4) interstate banking.

The director must maintain the state's confidential registry of blind residents. He also oversees the agency's provision of low-vision services, specialized education services, life skills training, case management, and vocational rehabilitation to individuals of all ages who are legally blind and to children who are visually impaired.

The commissioner is responsible for establishing facilities and services for children and families under its care. These include child protective, foster care, and family services; juvenile justice services; substance abuse and related services; mental health services; and prevention and educational services.

The executive director implements the state's policies and programs for attracting tourists to Connecticut; promoting the state's arts, history, and culture; supporting the film industry and administering the movie and digital media production tax credits; and preserving historic properties. The director answers to a 35-member commission, which consists of 30 voting members and five non-voting ex officio members. The governor and legislative leaders appoint the voting members, who annually elect the commission's chairperson and other officers.

The commissioner is responsible for administering a regulatory agency that, among other things, investigates consumer complaints about unfair or deceptive trade practices; licenses certain professionals and tradesmen; oversees the sale of alcoholic beverages; prevents the sale of adulterated or contaminated food; and regulates the distribution of prescription drugs.

The commissioner administers the department's institutions, facilities, and activities; establishes custodial and rehabilitative methods and operates community-based programs; is responsible for supervision of people released on parole; establishes disciplinary, treatment, education, training, and other services and programs throughout the department; and arranges for legal services for indigent inmates within available appropriations. The commissioner must be an experienced correctional administrator.

The commissioner's duties include managing the department, whose jurisdiction includes housing and economic development. The commissioner's housing duties include financing elderly and low- and moderate-income housing. His economic development duties include helping businesses, towns, and nonprofit agencies finance industrial and office parks, develop facilities, and acquire machinery providing financial assistance to businesses, towns, and nonprofit agencies for developing industrial parks, constructing or expanding new facilities, acquiring machinery and equipment, and cleaning up and redeveloping polluted properties.

The education commissioner is the State Department of Education's administrative officer. The commissioner coordinates, administers, and supervises the department according to policies set by the State Board of Education, which is its statutory department head.

The board is the central policy-making authority for public education including preschool, elementary, and secondary education; special education; and vocational education. It (1) recommends a nominee for education commissioner to the governor; (2) oversees state vocational-technical schools; (3) authorizes charter and inter-district magnet schools; (4) adjudicates complaints against local boards of education that fail to implement the state's educational interests; and (5) serves as the final administrative appeal board for issuing and revoking teaching certificates and other educational credentials required for working in Connecticut public schools.

The commissioner is responsible for providing a coordinated, integrated program for statewide emergency management and homeland security. He must coordinate with state and local government agencies and private-sector groups to ensure that they receive adequate planning, equipment, and training; coordinate and, where necessary, consolidate homeland security communications in the state, including those in the local government and the private sector; distribute information and security warnings; and establish standards and security protocols for intelligence information.

The commissioner is responsible for implementing the state's environmental policies; coordinating the management of water, land, and air resources; protecting plants and all types of wildlife, including the preservation of endangered species; providing for pollution abatement, controlling pests, and regulating pesticide use; and regulating waste disposal.

The commissioner is responsible for authorizing and overseeing health care data collection and health system planning for the state; monitoring health care costs; and implementing and overseeing health care reform as enacted by the General Assembly.

The Chief Information Officer heads the Department of Information Technology and is responsible for developing state agency information technology policies; developing comprehensive standards and planning guidelines for information technology systems; approving state agency acquisition of hardware and software and consultant contracts; leasing, purchasing, and contracting for information system and telecommunications facilities for most state agencies; and processing all state agency telecommunications bills.

The commissioner is responsible for (1) administering and enforcing insurance laws; (2) protecting the public interest in insurance matters; (3) developing a review program to ensure the department's compliance with the minimum standards established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for effective financial surveillance and regulation of insurance companies and HMOs; (4) establishing a program to electronically transmit documents, including policy form and rate filings, to and from insurers; and (5) maintaining the confidentiality of information collected or prepared in connection with examinations and investigations of companies and consumer complaints.

The commissioner must collect and publish data on employment, unemployment, and employee earnings; provide the governor with analysis of current and anticipated employment needs; and coordinate all employment and training programs. He must administer numerous labor laws including minimum wage, youth employment, family and medical leave, unemployment insurance compensation, and prevailing wage. He has the power to summon and examine witnesses as needed under state labor laws.

The commissioner establishes and enforces standards for the treatment of people with psychiatric disabilities, substance abuse disabilities, or both in public and private facilities; may investigate the serious injury or unexpected death of anyone who received treatment within one year of the occurrence; and is responsible for developing and implementing state mental health and substance abuse plans.

The executive director heads the newly created Office of Military Affairs. Within available appropriations he must:

1. coordinate state and local efforts to prevent the closure or reduction in size of Connecticut military facilities, particularly the Groton submarine base;

2. maximize the state's role in the federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, including acting as liaison to (a) the state's congressional delegation on defense, military, and BRAC issues and (b) consultant lobbyists the state hires to help monitor BRAC activities;

3. encourage the relocation of military missions to Connecticut;

4. coordinate state and local efforts to enhance the quality of life of military personnel and their families living or working in Connecticut;

5. review and make recommendations for state policies that affect Connecticut military facilities and the defense and homeland security industries;

6. coordinate state, regional, and local efforts to encourage the growth of Connecticut's defense and homeland security industry;

7. support the development of a defense and homeland security industry cluster;

8. establish and coordinate a Connecticut Military and Defense Advisory Council to provide technical advice and assistance;

9. oversee the implementation of recommendations of the Governor's Commission for the Economic Diversification of Southeastern Connecticut; and

10. prepare and submit a report of activities, findings, and recommendations annually to the governor and Commerce and Public Safety and Security committees.

The motor vehicle commissioner's duties include (1) eenforcing the motor vehicles laws; (2) issuing drivers' licenses, commercial drivers' licenses, non-driver photo identification cards, motor vehicle registrations, motor vehicle titles, and other documents relating to the licensing of drivers and the registration of vehicles; (3) conducting administrative hearings relating to license and registration suspensions or revocations and DMV-licensed businesses; (4) licensing various motor vehicle-related businesses such as motor vehicle dealers and repairers, manufacturers, automobile clubs, and driving schools; (5) administering registration-based enforcement systems relating to uninsured drivers, unpaid municipal property taxes, and unpaid municipal parking tickets; (6) administering the Connecticut motor vehicle exhaust emissions inspection program; and (7) conducting truck weight and safety inspections, and safety inspections of school buses, public service vehicles, totaled and rebuilt vehicles, and certain other vehicles.

The secretary is responsible for all aspects of state staff planning and analysis for budgeting, management, energy policy, intergovernmental policy, criminal and juvenile justice, and program evaluation; maintaining financial records, examining agencies to determine their effectiveness, and recommending ways to improve state agencies; and serving as the employer representative in collective bargaining between the state and most state employee unions.

The commissioner must: utilize the most efficient and practical means of preventing and suppressing disease; be responsible for the overall operation and administration of the department; contract for facilities, services, and programs to implement the purposes of the department; secure, compile, and disseminate data on prevention and control of epidemics; inspect health care institutions; and oversee local directors of health.

The commissioner commands the State Police Division and has all the powers and privileges of a police officer; appoints resident state troopers; serves as state fire marshal; licenses movie theaters, professional bondsmen, private detectives, and crane operators, among others; serves on the Statewide Emergency Management and Homeland Security Coordinating Council, which advises the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Coordinating Council on emergency management-related issues; and approves the adoption of the State Building Code and appoints members of the state Codes and Standards Committee, which works with the state building inspector to enforce the building codes.

The commissioner is responsible for: administering most state capital improvement construction and planning projects; selecting consultants to assist on such projects; the purchase, sale, lease, sublease and acquisition of property and space for state agencies; the sale or exchange of surplus state property; maintaining a complete and current inventory of all state owned or leased property and premises, including space-utilization data; supervising the care and control and administering the security for most state buildings and grounds; providing technical advice and services to state agencies planning to improve their physical space; and cooperating with others to develop a capital program and budget for the state.

The commissioner may (1) adopt regulations and issue administrative pronouncements interpreting state tax laws, (2) make agreements with other states concerning reciprocal enforcement of tax laws, and (3) negotiate agreements to collect municipal fees and taxes on behalf of municipalities. The commissioner must maintain lists of delinquent taxpayers and report certain tax data to the Office of Fiscal Analysis.

The commissioner is responsible for administering the Veterans' Home; operating a Veterans' Advocacy and Assistance Unit; collecting and disseminating information on services and facilities available to help veterans; helping veterans to prepare, present, and establish claims, privileges, rights and other benefits accruing to them under federal, state and local laws; developing and preparing a long-range plan and mission statement for the Veterans' Home and the veterans' advocacy and assistance unit; and reviewing veterans' appeals of denials of admission to various department programs and benefits.

The commissioner is responsible for administering social services programs including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Medicaid; promoting economic self-sufficiency; facilitating communication among federal, state, municipal, and private agencies; and applying for and receiving federal funds.

The transportation commissioner is responsible for all aspects of the planning, development, maintenance, and improvement of transportation in the state. Specific duties include: developing a comprehensive, integrated transportation policy; operating a modern, safe system of highway, mass transit, marine, and aviation facilities and services, including Bradley International Airport; cooperating with federal, state, interstate, ad local agencies performing transportation activities; providing for the construction and repair of capital improvements needed to operate a safe and efficient transportation system; and promoting coordinated and efficient use of all available and future modes of transportation.

The property rights ombudsman helps public officials and property owners understand and comply with eminent domain laws, mediate disputes between these parties, and recommend changes to the law.

The Office of the Auditors of Public Accounts is a legislative agency whose primary mission is to conduct audits of all state agencies. Two auditors head the office. The auditors may not be in the same political party.

The auditors' office audits the books and accounts of each state officer, department, commission, board, and court; all state-supported institutions; and each quasi-public agency. They must report any unauthorized, illegal, irregular, or unsafe handling or expenditure of state funds or any breakdown in the safekeeping of any state resources to the governor, state comptroller, General Assembly, Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee, and the attorney general. The auditors also investigate whistleblower complaints.

The business advocate (1) maintains an information clearinghouse on public and private business assistance programs and (2) identifies and contacts micro and small businesses that could benefit from these programs. The office is located within the Office of Policy and Management for administrative purposes only.

The child advocate's duties include evaluating state agency service delivery to children; reviewing agency procedures to protect children's rights; investigating complaints and, when indicated, advocating on behalf of a child's best interests; taking all possible actions to ensure the legal, civil, and special rights of children; and providing technical training to attorneys representing children.

The consumer counsel acts as the advocate for consumer interests in all matters that may affect Connecticut consumers concerning public service companies, electric suppliers, and certified telecommunications providers. The consumer counsel is authorized to appear in and participate in any regulatory or judicial proceedings (federal or state) in which state consumers' interests may be involved, or in which matters affecting utility services rendered may be involved. The consumer counsel is a party to each contested case before the DPUC and must participate in such proceedings to the extent deemed necessary.

The board has various responsibilities associated with state contracting processes, including adopting procurement regulations and reviewing, monitoring, and auditing state contracting agencies' procurement processes. The executive director serves as an ex-officio, nonvoting board member. In consultation with the chief procurement officer (CPO), the executive director must:

For administrative purposes only, the executive director supervises the CPO. The executive director may contract as necessary to carry out his or her duties.

The Healthcare Advocate directs the Office of the Healthcare Advocate (formerly known as the Managed Care Ombudsman and the Office of Managed Care Ombudsman). The advocate assists health insurance consumers (1) with managed care plan selection by providing information and assistance, (2) in understanding their rights and responsibilities under managed care plans, and (3) with filing complaints and appeals. He also provides information to the public, agencies, and legislators on problems and concerns of consumers and reviews consumers' health insurance records and pursues administrative remedies on their behalf and with their written consent.

The Legislative Commissioners' Office drafts bills and amendments and conducts related legal research. It reviews all bills and resolutions favorably reported by legislative committees for statutory consistency, clarity, and constitutionality; prepares and prints file copies of amendments and each bill favorably reported by legislative committees; indexes and publishes public acts and special acts; codifies public acts; prepares histories of each enactment; and prepares annotations of court cases construing statutory language. The office is under the general direction of two commissioners. A director manages the day-to-day operations of the office.

The council is responsible for the site regulation of electric generating facilities and substations of utilities and large power producers, fuel and electric transmission lines, community antenna television towers, cellular telephone towers, and telecommunications towers; hazardous waste management facilities; low-level radioactive waste management facilities; and ash residue management facilities. In its siting regulation, the council balances the need for adequate and reliable public services at the lowest reasonable cost to consumers with the need to protect the environment and ecology of the state. The legislature must confirm the appointment of a council member as chairperson. The legislature does not confirm the appointments of other board members.

The executive director must implement and administer the gaming laws and regulations and adopt regulations to ensure proper, safe, and orderly gambling and protect the public against fraud or overcharge. He must submit monthly reports to the public safety commissioner and the Public Safety Committee on investigations and arrests pertaining to legalized gambling. He must conduct legalized gambling studies periodically and submit them to the legislature. He is responsible for issuing gaming licenses.

The Office of the Victim Advocate is an independent state agency intended to evaluate and monitor how victims are treated by the criminal justice system. It monitors and evaluates the provision of services to victims of crime and advances policies throughout the state that promote the fair and just treatment of victims throughout the criminal justice system.  

The commission oversees the state agency that enforces anti-discrimination laws. Its duties include (1) compiling facts concerning discrimination in employment and civil liberty violations; (2) investigating discrimination cases; (3) reporting on its investigations, proceedings, and hearings and their results; (4) making legislative recommendations; and (5) monitoring state contracts.

The commission is established under the Connecticut River Valley Flood Control Compact formed by Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Each state appoints three members. It is advisory and intended to promote interstate comity, assure adequate storage capacity for impounding river waters to protect against flooding, and to be an interstate agency to cooperatively control flooding.

The commission appoints the chief state's attorney, who is the head of the Division of Criminal Justice, and it appoints two deputy chief state's attorneys (one for operations and one for personnel, finance, and administration), a state's attorney for each judicial district, assistant state's attorneys, and deputy assistant state's attorneys.

The commission may remove the chief state's attorney from office for misconduct, material neglect of duty, or incompetence. It may reprimand, demote, suspend, or remove from office state's attorneys, assistant state's attorneys, and deputy assistant state's attorneys for just cause.

Panel members resolve disputed issues in teacher or school administrator collective bargaining negotiations if the impasse is not resolved by negotiation or mediation. The parties can either agree on a single impartial representative chosen from the panel or each can select a party arbitrator from the panel to represent their interests, with the education commissioner randomly selecting a third neutral arbitrator from the panel if the parties cannot agree on the third.

The State Election Enforcement Commission, among other things, investigates alleged election law violations, inspects campaign finance records and reports, administers the Citizens' Election Program, refers evidence of violations to the Chief State's Attorney or to the Attorney General, levies civil penalties for certain elections violations, issues advisory opinions, and makes legislative recommendations to the General Assembly. It regularly conducts training sessions for candidates, campaign treasurers, and others concerning campaign finance requirements.

The Freedom of Information Commission reviews complaints about Freedom of Information Act violations and ensures that the public has access to government records and notice of public meetings. It can investigate alleged violations and, among other things, hold hearings, administer oaths, examine witnesses, receive oral and documentary evidence, and subpoena witnesses.

The commission must conduct annual training sessions, together with the Department of Information Technology, to education state and municipal public agency employees about freedom of information compliance.

The board is responsible for approving and suspending gambling licenses; approving off-track betting contracts for facilities, goods, and services; setting racing and jai alai meeting dates; approving the types of pari-mutuel betting permitted; advising the executive director of the Division of Special Revenue on the types of betting permitted; helping the executive director develop gambling regulations; hearing gambling appeals; and advising the governor on legalized gambling plans and goals.

The Judicial Review Council investigates complaints against judges, workers' compensation commissioners, and family support magistrates and makes recommendations regarding their reappointment and, in the case of judges, appointment to a different court. The council can admonish, censure, or suspend any of them for up to one year or recommend to the Supreme Court a longer suspension or removal from office.

The council must investigate complaints and, if it finds probable cause, hold hearings. Its proceedings are, for the most part, confidential unless the subject of the investigation wants them public.

The board protects the rights of public sector and some private sector employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations.  It protects the right of employees and employers to bargain collectively and rules on alleged unfair labor practices on the part of employers or unions. The board administers the major portion of four collective bargaining statutes: (1) Municipal Employee Relations Act, (2) State Employee Relations Act, (3) Teacher Negotiation Act, and (4) State Labor Relations Act.

The board, which is within the Department of Public Health (DPH), must (1) hear and decide matters concerning suspension or revocation of a practitioner's license, (2) adjudicate complaints against practitioners, and (3) impose sanctions where appropriate. The board must refer all statements of charges filed with the board by DPH to a medical hearing panel within 60 days of receiving the charges. The board then reviews the proposed final decisions of the medical hearing panels. It may adopt, modify, or remand the decisions for further review or the taking of additional evidence.

The council studies and investigates the daily operation of the New Haven commuter railroad line; monitors its performance and recommends changes to improve its efficiency and quality of service; and annually makes findings and recommendations to the governor, transportation commissioner, Connecticut Public Transportation Commission, General Assembly, the New York Metro North Rail Commuter Council, and the Management Advisory Board and Office of the Inspector General of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York.

The Milk Regulation Board must adopt regulations to assure milk produced in the state is of at least standard quality and that state residents have an adequate and regular supply. The board may, by regulation, establish inspection standards for the facilities and processes necessary for the production, handling, storage, and manufacture of retail raw milk, retail raw milk cheese, butter, cheese, dry milk, whey, concentrated milk, condensed milk, single service fluid milk enclosures, and milk products.

Of the eight appointed members, two must be actively engaged in milk processing, two must be actively engaged in selling and distributing milk, two must be actively engaged in producing milk, and two must not have an active or financial interest in producing milk.

The commission has the general care and supervision of New Haven harbor (including West Haven harbor) and its tide-waters and lands to prevent and remove unauthorized encroachments and causes of every kind that could interfere with full navigation of the harbor, injure the channels, or cause any reduction of tide-waters. Five of the commission's board members must be New Haven or East Haven residents, and one must be from West Haven.

The Board of Pardons and Paroles (1) grants or denies parole or special parole, (2) sets parole and special parole supervision conditions, (3) rescinds or revokes parole or special parole, and (4) grants releases and commutes punishments including the death penalty. Its chairperson is executive and administrative head of the board. The chairperson can sit on both pardons and parole release panels. He assigns seven members exclusively to parole release hearings and five to pardons hearings. Except for the chairperson, no member assigned to one type of hearing can later be assigned to the other. The chairperson must be qualified by education, experience, and training in administering community corrections, parole, or pardons.

The board holds hearings to determine the appropriate level of supervision and treatment for people acquitted of crimes due to a mental disease or defect. Depending on the danger an individual poses, it may order confinement in a maximum-security facility or psychiatric hospital, approve temporary leaves and conditional releases, or transfer custody to the Department of Mental Retardation. In addition, the board makes court recommendations when an acquitee petitions to be discharged from supervision. 

The authority elects its chairperson, who becomes the department head of the Department of Public Utility Control. He is responsible for appointing the executive director of the department with the concurrence of at least two of the commissioners. The chairperson assigns matters coming before the department, such as utility rates cases, to panels of three commissioners. Electric, gas, water, telephone, and cable television companies are in the department's jurisdiction.

The commission is established under the Thames River Valley Flood Control Compact formed by Connecticut and Massachusetts. It promotes interstate comity, assures adequate storage capacity for impounding river waters to protect against flooding, and creates a joint agency to control flooding cooperatively. Massachusetts and Connecticut each appoint three members.

The board, made up equally of members representing employees and employers, advises the workers' compensation chairperson on workers' compensation policy and operations. It must submit written recommendations regarding the reappointment of each workers' compensation commissioner to the governor and the legislature at least three months before the end of the commissioner's term.

Gubernatorial appointments to the boards of trustees of the constituent units of the state system of higher education and the Board for State Academic Awards are subject to the department head confirmation process (CGS § 4-9c).

The board governs Charter Oak College, which offers an alternative, personalized approach to college education for adult learners. The college offers degrees by validating credits based assessments of student portfolios and through standardized and special examination. The college also operates the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium.

The board is the central policy-making authority of public higher education. It selects and hires the commissioner of higher education, prepares a consolidated operating and capital budget for all constituent units of higher education, develops a higher education master plan, sets tuition and student fee and financial aid policies, merges and closes institutions, approves recommendations by constituent units to establish new academic programs, and maintains the central higher education information system.

The board makes policy and rules for governing the community-technical college system. It develops a mission statement for the system, establishes policies for the colleges and plans for their development, approves institutions' budgets for submission to the Board of Governors of Higher Education, and appoints a chancellor for the system and the presidents of each college.

The board makes policy and rules for governing the Connecticut State University system. It develops a mission statement for the system, including the role, scope, and policies for each of its individual institutions. It reviews and approves these institutions' budget requests for submission to the Board of Governors of Higher Education. The board is responsible for capital budgeting and facility planning and may lease property under its control to private developers for dormitory construction. It sets tuition and fees for students and makes recommendations to the board of governors to establish new academic programs. It appoints central office executive staff and the presidents of each of the four universities in the system.

The board administers the New England Higher Education Compact, including the New England Regional Student Program, which enables students to pay in-state tuition at colleges in compact states that provide programs their home-state colleges do not. The board also prepares reports on higher education issues affecting New England.

The board makes policies and rules for governing the university. It develops a mission statement for the university, including the role and scope of each branch campus. It establishes schools, colleges, divisions, and departments within the university. It oversees the financing and construction of UConn 2000 and 21^st Century UConn projects. The board coordinates branch and institutional services and programs and makes recommendations to the Board of Governors of Higher Education on closing or merging campuses. It reviews and approves annual budget requests for submission to the board of governors and sets university tuition and fees.

The Connecticut Development Authority (CDA) provides and guarantees business loans for developing new facilities, acquiring machinery and equipment, and meeting working capital needs. It mainly targets manufacturers and other businesses that bring wealth into the state by selling their goods and services to customers outside the state (i.e., economic base industries). CDA's board of directors consists of 11 members appointed by the governor and legislative leaders or designated by law to serve on the board. The legislature must confirm the appointment of a board member as chairperson. The legislature does not confirm the appointment of other board members.

The agency provides financing to nonprofit colleges and health care institutions to support construction of facilities such as dormitories, academic buildings, athletic facilities, clinics, hospitals, and laboratories. The legislature must confirm the appointment of a board member as chairperson. The legislature does not confirm the appointment of other board members.

The agency makes direct loans to college students and their parents to help finance the costs of undergraduate and graduate education. The legislature must confirm the appointment of a board member as chairperson. The legislature does not confirm the appointment of other board members.

The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority exists to alleviate the shortage of housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The legislature must confirm the appointment of a board member as chairperson. The legislature does not confirm the appointment of other board members.

Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated provides capital that entrepreneurs need to research, develop, and market new technologies. The legislature must confirm the appointment of a board member as chairperson. The legislature does not confirm the appointment of other board members.

The corporation operates the state lottery. Gubernatorial appointees are subject to legislative confirmation.

The authority must plan, design, build and operate solid waste disposal, volume reduction, recycling, intermediate processing, and resources recovery facilities. The chairperson, with approval of the board of directors, appoints the president of the authority, who supervises the authority's administrative affairs and technical activities. Three directors must represent towns with a population of fewer than 50,000. Two directors must represent towns with a population greater than 50,000. Three directors must have experience in finance, business, or industry. One director must have experience in an environmental field and one must have experience in an energy field.

The legislature must also confirm the appointment of a board member as chairperson.