CT HB05518

Authorizes multiple tranches of state general obligation bonds totaling over $1.48 billion across two fiscal years: $398.45 million and $267.5 million effective from passage, and $406.5 million and $235 million effective July 1, 2020, for capital improvements including State Capitol renovations, IT investment ($70 million per year), asbestos removal, XL Center improvements ($27.5 million and $37.5 million), higher education facilities, judicial facilities, and $200 million per year for DOT highway/transit infrastructure.

Authorizes $777.6 million (from passage) and $782.4 million (effective July 1, 2020) in special tax obligation bonds for transportation projects, including Fix-it-First bridge repairs ($110 million each year), Fix-it-First road repairs ($75 million each year), capital resurfacing ($106.5 million each year), bus and rail facilities ($236 million each year), and local transportation programs.

Provides $100 million (from passage) and $75 million (effective July 1, 2020) for the Department of Housing for housing development and rehabilitation programs, prioritizing areas with low homeownership rates, with up to $30 million each year for state moderate rental housing revitalization; also increases Housing Trust Fund bond authorization to $345 million and school construction bond authorization to $12.612 billion.

Allocates grants-in-aid including $65 million and $25 million for deep water port improvements, $25 million per year to capitalize the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund, $30 million per year for Brownfield remediation, $30 million per year for municipal transportation grants, $152 million for Town Aid Road grants, and $5 million for a new nonprofit organization security infrastructure grant program targeting organizations at heightened risk of terrorist attacks or hate crimes.

Requires state-funded highway paving projects to include provisions making sewer and utility grates flush with road surfaces, mandates municipal assessors to annually report property tax exemption data to OPM, validates a Regional School District No. 19 referendum, and modifies Brownfield grant procedures to allow municipalities to submit multiple applications with competitive awards issued at least twice annually.