Bill > HB05253

This bill mandates specific voting procedures for fire district meetings and grants the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) oversight authority over these districts regarding such meetings. Effective July 1, 2027, all fire district meetings, whether annual or special, will require that any business on the meeting's agenda be voted on using paper ballots, with only those present at the meeting allowed to vote and no absentee ballots permitted. Furthermore, any individual qualified to vote in a fire district meeting who believes these voting procedures, or related statutes, have been violated can file a complaint with the SEEC. The SEEC can then investigate and make decisions, with parties aggrieved by these decisions having the right to appeal to the Superior Court, which can award damages, costs, and hold fire district officers personally liable for knowing and willful violations. The bill also expands the SEEC's powers to include investigating violations related to fire district meetings and levying penalties against fire district officers or individuals who improperly vote in these meetings. The SEEC is also tasked with coordinating with fire districts to ensure compliance with these new provisions.

Government Affairs

Government Oversight Committee (Joint)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05253&which_year=2026