AT THE CAPITOL
The session opens on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 and runs through Wednesday, May 4, 2022. This year is an election year. Legislators cannot request political contributions while the General Assembly is in session.
Currently the public is only permitted on the first floor of both the capitol and the legislative office building (LOB). For at least the first month of the session, committee meetings and public hearings will be held virtually. Public testimony will be received electronically and sign-up for virtual hearings will be held in the same manner as last year and published by each committee.
The governor will welcome and address the General Assembly in the chambers on Wednesday, after which the rules will be voted on for this session. Of greatest concern is the remote access rules. Legislators will be invited to attend in chamber, in their offices, or at home. Up to this point, legislative staff has been working remotely at least three days each week.
Topics expected to be covered during this session include elections (US senate and governor as well as other constitutional officers), unclaimed property, distribution of American Rescue Plan funds, redistricting, climate change, criminal justice (chief state’s attorney status, police accountability bill, juvenile crime, and justice), early voting and no excuse absentee ballots, and changes to taxes.
JUDICIAL RENOMINATIONS
After serving an eight-year term and if they are renominated by the governor, Connecticut judges must go before the Judiciary Committee for a public hearing to discuss their term and review the past eight years of service. After this public hearing, which includes comments and testimony from the public, each judge is voted on and, if approved, their renomination goes before the General Assembly for its approval. This year, there will be public hearings before the Judiciary Committee on February 16 and 25 for the reappointment of the following appellate and superior court judges, senior judges, judge trial referees, and family court magistrates:
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Hon. Arnold W. Aronson
Hon. Julia L. Aurigemma
Hon. Anthony V. Avallone
Hon. Patrick J. Clifford
Hon. Juliett L. Crawford
Hon. Julia D. Dewey
Hon. Leo V. Diana
Hon. Tammy D. Geathers
Hon. Jane K. Grossman
Hon. Edward R. Karazin, Jr.
Hon. Maureen M. Keegan
Hon. William J. Lavery
Hon. Douglas S. Lavine
Hon. Michael G. Maronich
Hon. John D. Moore
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Hon. Sheridan L. Moore
Hon. Kevin J. Murphy
Hon. Robert Nastri, Jr.
Hon. Cesar A. Noble
Hon. Eliot D. Prescott
Hon. Kevin A. Randolph
Hon. Kevin S. Russo
Hon. Carl J. Schuman
Hon. Rupal Shah
Hon. Lois Tanzer
Hon. Erika M. Tindill
Hon. David A. Dee
Hon. Michael L. Ferguson
Hon. Frederic Gilman
Hon. Katherine Y. Hutchinson
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The governor plans to nominate another 20 new judges during this session. Several judges have recently retired or taken senior or judge trial referee status.
IN THE LEGISLATURE
Prior to the start of the new session, Governor Lamont announced three special elections. Caroline Simmons, of Stamford’s 144th district, has been elected mayor of Stamford. On January 25, 2022, a special election was held, and Hubert Delany (D) was elected to complete the term. He has been assigned to the Appropriations and the Judiciary Committees. Rep. Jeff Currey of East Hartford will replace Mayor Simmons as co-chair of the Commerce Committee for this session.
Rep. Tony D’Amelio (R-71) has retired to be with his family and run his family business.Rep. D’Amelio has spent almost 25 years representing the 71st district in Waterbury and Middlebury. The special election for his seat will be on February 22, 2022.
Rep. Brandon McGee (D) in the 5th District of Hartford and Windsor has vacated his seat to join Governor Lamont’s policy team. A special election will be held on March 1, 2022. As chair of the Housing Committee, he has been replaced by Rep. Quintin Phipps (D-100) of Middletown.
END OF SESSION RETIREMENTS
Sen. Kevin Witkos (R-8)
Sen. Will Haskell (D-26)
Rep. Whit Betts (R-78)
Rep. Tony D’Amelio (R-71)
Rep. Mike France (R-42)
Rep. Brandon McGee (D-5)
Rep. Sean Scanlon (D-98)
Rep. David Wilson (R-66)
LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
The calendar of the legislature is available daily for committee meetings and public hearings. View the daily calendar with committee agendas, attend virtual committee meetings, hear the discussion, and note the process.
PUBLIC HEARINGS, DAILY BILLS and INFORMATIONAL FORUMS
Hearings and forums for this week are in the daily bulletin on the Connecticut General Assembly website’s homepage.
Legislator committee assignments are here.