Summary of 2009 Legislation

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A SUMMARY OF LEGISLATION (2009)
PASSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AFFECTING THE CONNECTICUT SITING COUNCIL

The Connecticut General Assembly did not enact legislation directly affecting the Connecticut Siting Council in its 2009 Session. It did, however, enact one piece of legislation pertinent to groups and individuals interested in Long Island Sound.

Please note that the summaries and outlines that appear below are only good-faith attempts by the Council to capture the most significant and salient aspects of relevant legislation. They are not authoritative and should in no way be viewed as legal advice. The reader is cautioned that proper legal advice may only be obtained as a result of personal consultation with an attorney.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A BI-STATE LONG ISLAND SOUND COMMISSION

PUBLIC ACT NO. 09-151

Section 1 of this Act, effective July 1, 2009, makes findings with respect to Long Island Sound and establishes a Bi-State Long Island Sound Commission. The Commission will include the Governors of Connecticut and New York, or their designees, seven residents of Connecticut (to be appointed as provided in this section), and seven residents of New York. The Commission will "(1) review and consider major environmental, ecological and energy issues involving Long Island Sound and the lower Hudson River Valley, provided the commission's review and consideration of issues involving the valley shall be limited to issues in the valley that affect Long Island Sound, (2) seek consensus on strategies and policies concerning such issues, and (3) make recommendations for administrative and legislative action to implement such strategies and policies." The Commission will meet by October 1, 2009, and not less than quarterly thereafter. This section further provides that these provisions will take effect upon enactment of similar legislation in New York.

Sections 2 and 3, effective as of July 1, 2009 (as to Section 2) and as of the date of enactment of similar New York legislation (as to Section 3), amend CGS §25-140 to narrow the responsibilities of the Bi-State Long Island Sound Marine Resources Committee with respect to major environmental, ecological or energy issues that are under review by the Commission pursuant to section 1 of this Act.

NOTE: Public Act 09-151 was vetoed by the Governor on July 2, 2009. The veto was subsequently overridden by the General Assembly.