Bill Text: CT HB05289 | 2014 | General Assembly | Comm Sub
Bill Title: An Act Establishing The Connecticut Port Authority.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 29-11-1)
Status: (Passed) 2014-06-13 - Signed by the Governor [HB05289 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2014-HB05289-Comm_Sub.html
General Assembly |
||
February Session, 2014 |
*_____HB05289FIN___041114____* |
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CONNECTICUT PORT AUTHORITY.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) (a) There is hereby established and created a body politic and corporate, constituting a public instrumentality and political subdivision of the state of Connecticut established and created for the performance of an essential public and governmental function, to be known as the Connecticut Port Authority. The authority shall not be construed to be a department, institution or agency of the state.
(b) The powers of the authority shall be vested in and exercised by a board of directors, which shall consist of seven voting members, appointed as follows: (1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives for a term of four years; (2) one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives for a term of four years; (3) one appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate for a term of four years; (4) one appointed by the minority leader of the Senate for a term of four years; and (5) three appointed by the Governor each for a term of four years. Thereafter, such members of the General Assembly and the Governor shall appoint members of the board to succeed such appointees whose terms expire and each member so appointed shall hold office for a period of four years from the first day of July in the year of his or her appointment. The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Commissioner of Transportation and the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall each serve as nonvoting, ex-officio members of the board. Appointed members shall have business and management experience and shall include individuals who have experience and expertise in one or more of the following areas: (A) International trade, (B) marine transportation, (C) finance, or (D) economic development.
(c) Appointed members of the board of directors may not designate a representative to perform in their absence their respective duties under this section. Any appointed member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the board or who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings of the board held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from the board. Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term.
(d) The board of directors of the authority shall appoint an executive director who shall not be a member of the board and who shall serve at the pleasure of the board and receive such compensation as shall be fixed by the board. The executive director shall have extensive experience in the development and management of multi-use port operations. The executive director shall be the chief administrative officer of the authority and shall direct and supervise administrative affairs and technical activities in accordance with the directives of the board. The executive director shall approve all accounts for salaries, allowable expenses of the authority or of any employee or consultant thereof, and expenses incidental to the operation of the authority. The executive director shall perform such other duties as may be directed by the board in carrying out the purposes of sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act. The executive director shall be exempt from the classified service. The executive director shall attend all meetings of the board, keep a record of the proceedings of the authority and shall maintain and be custodian of all books, documents and papers filed with the authority and of the minute book or journal of the authority and of its official seal. The executive director may cause copies to be made of all minutes and other records and documents of the authority and may give certificates under the official seal of the authority to the effect that such copies are true copies, and all persons dealing with the authority may rely upon such certificates.
(e) Each member of the board of directors shall be entitled to reimbursement for such member's actual and necessary expenses incurred during the performance of such member's official duties.
(f) Members of the board of directors may engage in private employment, or in a profession or business, subject to any applicable laws, rules and regulations of the state or federal government regarding official ethics or conflict of interest.
(g) Four members of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the authority. For the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the authority, and, except as otherwise provided in this section, the authority may act by a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance.
(h) The board of directors may delegate to four or more members of such board powers and duties as it may deem necessary and proper in conformity with the provisions of this section and its bylaws.
(i) The appointing authority for any member of the board of directors may remove such director for inefficiency, neglect of duty or misconduct in office after giving the member a copy of the charges against the member and an opportunity to be heard, in person or by counsel, in the member's defense, upon not less than ten days' notice. If any member shall be so removed, the appointing authority for such member shall file in the office of the Secretary of the State a complete statement of charges made against such member and the appointing authority's findings on such statement of charges, together with a complete record of the proceedings.
(j) The authority shall continue as long as it has bonds or other obligations outstanding and until its existence is terminated by law. Upon the termination of the existence of the authority, all its rights and properties shall pass to and be vested in the state of Connecticut.
(k) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, it shall not constitute a conflict of interest for a trustee, director, partner or officer of any person, firm or corporation, or any individual having a financial interest in a person, firm or corporation, to serve as a director of the authority, provided such trustee, director, partner, officer or individual shall abstain from deliberation, action or vote by the board in specific respect to such person, firm or corporation.
(l) The Governor shall appoint the chairperson of the board, who shall serve for a term of four years. The board shall elect from its members a vice-chairperson and such other officers as it deems necessary. Vacancies among any officers shall be filled not later than thirty days following the occurrence of such vacancy in the same manner as the original selection. Said board shall establish bylaws to govern its procedures and shall appoint such committees and advisory boards as may be convenient or necessary in the transaction of its business.
(m) The initial members of the board may begin service immediately upon appointment, but shall not serve past the sixth Wednesday of the next regular session of the General Assembly unless qualified in the manner provided in section 4-7 of the general statutes. Thereafter, all appointments shall be made with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly, in the manner provided in section 4-19 of the general statutes.
Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) (a) The Connecticut Port Authority shall have the duty, power and authority generally to coordinate port development, with a focus on private and public investments, pursue federal and state funds for dredging and other infrastructure improvements to increase cargo movement through Connecticut ports, market the advantages of such ports to the domestic and international shipping industry, coordinate the planning and funding of capital projects promoting the development of such ports and develop strategic entrepreneurial initiatives that may be available to the state, and specifically to:
(1) Develop an organizational and management structure that will best accomplish the goals of the authority concerning Connecticut ports;
(2) Create a code of conduct for the board of directors of the authority consistent with part I of chapter 10 of the general statutes;
(3) On or before December fifteenth each year, report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, commerce and the environment, summarizing the authority's activities, disclosing operating and financial statements and recommending legislation to promote the authority's purposes;
(4) Adopt rules for the conduct of its business which shall not be considered regulations, as defined in subdivision (13) of section 4-166 of the general statutes;
(5) Receive and accept aid or contributions from any source of money, property, labor or other things of value, to be held, used and applied to carry out the purposes of sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act, subject to such conditions upon which such grants and contributions may be made, including, but not limited to, gifts or grants from any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States or this state for any purpose consistent with sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act;
(6) Enter into agreements with any department, agency, office or instrumentality of the United States or this state, including the office of the State Treasurer, to carry out the purposes of sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act;
(7) The extent permitted under sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act, borrow money or secure credit on a temporary, short-term, interim or long-term basis;
(8) Issue bonds, bond anticipation notes and other obligations of the authority to the extent permitted under sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act, to fund and refund the same and provide for the rights of the holders thereof, and to secure the same by pledge of revenues, notes and mortgages of others;
(9) Acquire, lease, hold and dispose of real and personal property, including, but not limited to, any state pier real property under its control, for its corporate purposes. Notwithstanding this subdivision, the authority shall not convey fee simple ownership in any land under its jurisdiction and control without the approval of the State Properties Review Board and the Attorney General;
(10) Employ such assistants, agents and other employees, including a marketing manager with experience (A) in port market development and promotion, and (B) working with vessel operators, railroads, the shipping industry and the trucking industry, and to engage consultants and such other independent professionals as may be necessary or desirable to carry out its purposes in accordance with sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act and, except for such employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements, to fix their compensation, and to provide technical assistance as provided in sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act;
(11) Maintain an office at such place or places as it may designate;
(12) Sue and be sued in its own name, and plead and be impleaded;
(13) Mortgage any property of the authority for the benefit of the holders of obligations issued by the authority;
(14) Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act, including, but not limited to, the granting of leasehold interests, concession, access and development rights and privileges, supplier, vendor, contractor and consultant contracts; and
(15) Do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act and chapter 242 of the general statutes and the powers expressly granted by sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act.
(b) To serve its purpose, the authority may:
(1) Have perpetual succession as a body politic and corporate and to adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business;
(2) Adopt an official seal and alter the same at pleasure;
(3) (A) Employ such assistants, agents and other employees as may be necessary or desirable; (B) establish all necessary or appropriate personnel practices and policies; and (C) engage consultants, attorneys and appraisers as may be necessary or desirable to carry out its purposes in accordance with this section;
(4) Invest in, acquire, lease, purchase, own, manage, hold and dispose of real property, including, but not limited to, any state pier real property under its control, and lease, convey or deal in or enter into agreements with respect to such property on any terms necessary or incidental to carrying out the purposes of sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act, provided such transactions shall not be subject to approval, review or regulation by any state agency pursuant to title 4b of the general statutes or any other provision of the general statutes. Notwithstanding this subdivision, the authority shall not convey fee simple ownership in any land under its jurisdiction and control without the approval of the State Properties Review Board and the Attorney General;
(5) Procure insurance against any liability or loss in connection with its property and other assets, in such amounts and from such insurers as it deems desirable and to procure insurance for employees; and
(6) Account for and audit funds of the authority and funds of any recipients of funds from the authority.
Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) The board of directors of the Connecticut Port Authority shall adopt written procedures, in accordance with the provisions of section 1-121 of the general statutes, for: (1) Adopting an annual budget and plan of operations, including a requirement of board approval before the budget or plan may take effect; (2) hiring, dismissing, promoting and compensating employees of the authority, including an affirmative action policy and a requirement of board approval before a position may be created or a vacancy filled; (3) acquiring real and personal property and personal services, including a requirement of board approval for any nonbudgeted expenditure in excess of five thousand dollars; (4) contracting for financial, legal and other professional services, including a requirement that the authority solicit proposals at least once every three years for each such service which it uses; (5) awarding loans, grants and other financial assistance, including eligibility criteria, the application process and the role played by the authority's staff and board of directors; and (6) the use of surplus funds to the extent authorized under sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act or other provision of the general statutes.
Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) The board of directors of the Connecticut Port Authority shall submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations, commerce, the environment and transportation a copy of each audit of the authority conducted by an independent auditing firm, not later than seven days after the audit is received by said board of directors.
Sec. 5. Subdivision (12) of section 1-79 of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(12) "Quasi-public agency" means Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, and the Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority, Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, State Housing Authority, Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, Capital Region Development Authority, Connecticut Lottery Corporation, Connecticut Airport Authority, Health Information Technology Exchange of Connecticut, Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, [and] Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority and Connecticut Port Authority.
Sec. 6. Subdivision (1) of section 1-120 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(1) "Quasi-public agency" means Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, and the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Connecticut Housing Authority, Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, Capital Region Development Authority, Connecticut Lottery Corporation, Connecticut Airport Authority, Health Information Technology Exchange of Connecticut, Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, [and] Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority and Connecticut Port Authority.
Sec. 7. Section 1-124 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Connecticut Housing Authority, the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, the Health Information Technology Exchange of Connecticut, the Connecticut Airport Authority, the Capital Region Development Authority, the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, [and] the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority and the Connecticut Port Authority shall not borrow any money or issue any bonds or notes which are guaranteed by the state of Connecticut or for which there is a capital reserve fund of any kind which is in any way contributed to or guaranteed by the state of Connecticut until and unless such borrowing or issuance is approved by the State Treasurer or the Deputy State Treasurer appointed pursuant to section 3-12. The approval of the State Treasurer or said deputy shall be based on documentation provided by the authority that it has sufficient revenues to (1) pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and notes issued, (2) establish, increase and maintain any reserves deemed by the authority to be advisable to secure the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds and notes, (3) pay the cost of maintaining, servicing and properly insuring the purpose for which the proceeds of the bonds and notes have been issued, if applicable, and (4) pay such other costs as may be required.
(b) To the extent Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, and the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Connecticut Housing Authority, Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, the Health Information Technology Exchange of Connecticut, the Connecticut Airport Authority, the Capital Region Development Authority, the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, [or] the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority or the Connecticut Port Authority is permitted by statute and determines to exercise any power to moderate interest rate fluctuations or enter into any investment or program of investment or contract respecting interest rates, currency, cash flow or other similar agreement, including, but not limited to, interest rate or currency swap agreements, the effect of which is to subject a capital reserve fund which is in any way contributed to or guaranteed by the state of Connecticut, to potential liability, such determination shall not be effective until and unless the State Treasurer or his or her deputy appointed pursuant to section 3-12 has approved such agreement or agreements. The approval of the State Treasurer or his or her deputy shall be based on documentation provided by the authority that it has sufficient revenues to meet the financial obligations associated with the agreement or agreements.
Sec. 8. Section 1-125 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
The directors, officers and employees of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, and the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Connecticut Housing Authority, Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, including ad hoc members of the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Capital Region Development Authority, the Health Information Technology Exchange of Connecticut, Connecticut Airport Authority, Connecticut Lottery Corporation, Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, [and] the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority and Connecticut Port Authority and any person executing the bonds or notes of the agency shall not be liable personally on such bonds or notes or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof, nor shall any director or employee of the agency, including ad hoc members of the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, be personally liable for damage or injury, not wanton, reckless, wilful or malicious, caused in the performance of his or her duties and within the scope of his or her employment or appointment as such director, officer or employee, including ad hoc members of the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority. The agency shall protect, save harmless and indemnify its directors, officers or employees, including ad hoc members of the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, suit or judgment by reason of alleged negligence or alleged deprivation of any person's civil rights or any other act or omission resulting in damage or injury, if the director, officer or employee, including ad hoc members of the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, is found to have been acting in the discharge of his or her duties or within the scope of his or her employment and such act or omission is found not to have been wanton, reckless, wilful or malicious.
Sec. 9. Section 13b-51b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
There shall be, within the Department of Transportation, a State Maritime Office which shall: (1) Be responsible for maritime operations, including the State Pier in New London, the Connecticut River ferries and such other operational responsibilities as shall be assigned to it; (2) serve as the Governor's principal maritime policy advisor; (3) serve as the liaison between the state and federal, local and private entities involved in maritime policy activities; (4) coordinate the state's maritime policy activities; (5) encourage year-round use of water-related industries; (6) work with the Department of Economic and Community Development and other state, local and private entities to maximize the economic potential of Connecticut's ports and other maritime resources; (7) conduct necessary research and planning activities; (8) assess potential state investments in ports and other maritime facilities; (9) [provide staff support to the Connecticut Maritime Commission, created in section 13b-51a; (10)] provide staff support to the Connecticut Pilot Commission created by section 15-13c; and [(11)] (10) undertake such other responsibilities as may be assigned to it by the commissioner or the Governor.
Sec. 10. Section 13b-55a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) In addition to municipal requests for a grant-in-aid pursuant to section 13b-57, harbor improvement projects may be initiated by the Commissioner of Transportation on behalf of the state or for the state on behalf of the federal government. Recommendations on the prioritization or inclusion of projects shall be submitted to the commissioner by the Connecticut [Maritime Commission] Port Authority. The department shall contract for the provision of goods and services to harbors and waterways for such improvements, and shall provide the funding required under such contracts, except that the commissioner may enter into agreements with other state agencies or municipalities for such agencies or municipalities to provide the funding for any of such contracts. The department shall administer all contracts entered into under this section.
(b) All contracts are subject to final negotiation of the scope and budget for a given project. Contracting periods may vary depending on each project. Payments shall be made on a reimbursement basis for deliverables completed no later than the dates of service of an executed contract. Appropriate back-up information shall be included with each payment request indicating that services have been rendered. The department may elect to provide part or all of the funds necessary as an upfront payment, provided funds are held in a separate, noninterest bearing account and are expended not later than sixty days after such funds are provided.
(c) Harbor improvement projects include the preparation of plans, studies and construction for the alteration and improvement of various state, municipal and other properties in or adjacent to the waters of the state, for the purpose of improving the economy and infrastructure of the state.
Sec. 11. Subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 12-587 of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(2) Gross earnings derived from the first sale of the following petroleum products within this state shall be exempt from tax: (A) Any petroleum products sold for exportation from this state for sale or use outside this state; (B) the product designated by the American Society for Testing and Materials as "Specification for Heating Oil D396-69", commonly known as number 2 heating oil, to be used exclusively for heating purposes or to be used in a commercial fishing vessel, which vessel qualifies for an exemption pursuant to section 12-412; (C) kerosene, commonly known as number 1 oil, to be used exclusively for heating purposes, provided delivery is of both number 1 and number 2 oil, and via a truck with a metered delivery ticket to a residential dwelling or to a centrally metered system serving a group of residential dwellings; (D) the product identified as propane gas, to be used exclusively for heating purposes; (E) bunker fuel oil, intermediate fuel, marine diesel oil and marine gas oil to be used in any vessel (i) having a displacement exceeding four thousand dead weight tons, or (ii) primarily engaged in interstate commerce; (F) for any first sale occurring prior to July 1, 2008, propane gas to be used as a fuel for a motor vehicle; (G) for any first sale occurring on or after July 1, 2002, grade number 6 fuel oil, as defined in regulations adopted pursuant to section 16a-22c, to be used exclusively by a company which, in accordance with census data contained in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, United States Office of Management and Budget, 1987 edition, is included in code classifications 2000 to 3999, inclusive, or in Sector 31, 32 or 33 in the North American Industrial Classification System United States Manual, United States Office of Management and Budget, 1997 edition; (H) for any first sale occurring on or after July 1, 2002, number 2 heating oil to be used exclusively in a vessel primarily engaged in interstate commerce, which vessel qualifies for an exemption under section 12-412; (I) for any first sale occurring on or after July 1, 2000, paraffin or microcrystalline waxes; (J) for any first sale occurring prior to July 1, 2008, petroleum products to be used as a fuel for a fuel cell, as defined in subdivision (113) of section 12-412; (K) a commercial heating oil blend containing not less than ten per cent of alternative fuels derived from agricultural produce, food waste, waste vegetable oil or municipal solid waste, including, but not limited to, biodiesel or low sulfur dyed diesel fuel; (L) for any first sale occurring on or after July 1, 2007, diesel fuel other than diesel fuel to be used in an electric generating facility to generate electricity; (M) for any first sale occurring on or after July 1, 2013, cosmetic grade mineral oil; or (N) propane gas to be used as a fuel for a school bus.
Sec. 12. Subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of section 12-458 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(3) Said tax shall not be payable on such fuel as may have been (A) sold to the United States, (B) sold to a municipality of this state, (i) for use by any contractor performing a service for such municipality in accordance with a contract, provided such fuel is used by such contractor exclusively for the purposes of and in accordance with such contract, or (ii) for use exclusively in a school bus, as defined in section 14-275, (C) sold to a municipality of this state, a transit district of this state, or this state, at other than a retail outlet, for governmental purposes and for use in vehicles owned and operated, or leased and operated by such municipality, such transit district or this state, (D) sold to a person licensed as a distributor in this state under section 12-456, (E) transferred from storage within this state to some point without this state, (F) sold to the holder of a permit issued under section 12-458a for sale or use without this state, (G) sold to the holder of a permit issued under subdivision (63) of section 12-412, provided (i) such fuel is not used in motor vehicles registered or required to be registered to operate upon the public highways of this state, unless such fuel is used in motor vehicles registered exclusively for farming purposes, (ii) such fuel is not delivered, upon such sale, to a tank in which such person keeps fuel for personal and farm use, and (iii) a statement, prescribed as to form by the Commissioner of Revenue Services and bearing notice to the effect that false statements made under this section are punishable, that such fuel is used exclusively for farming purposes, is submitted by such person to the distributor, (H) sold exclusively to furnish power for an industrial plant in the actual fabrication of finished products to be sold, or for the fishing industry, (I) sold exclusively for heating purposes, (J) sold exclusively to furnish gas, water, steam or electricity, if delivered to consumers through mains, lines or pipes, (K) sold to the owner or operator of an aircraft, as defined in section 15-34, exclusively for aviation purposes, provided (i) for purposes of this subdivision, "aviation purposes" means for the purpose of powering an aircraft or an aircraft engine, (ii) such fuel is delivered, upon such sale, to a tank in which fuel is kept exclusively for aviation purposes, and (iii) a statement, prescribed as to form by the Commissioner of Revenue Services and bearing notice to the effect that false statements made under this section are punishable, that such fuel is used exclusively for aviation purposes, is submitted by such person to the distributor, (L) sold to a dealer who is licensed under section 12-462 and whose place of business is located upon an established airport within this state, [or] (M) diesel fuel sold exclusively for use in portable power system generators that are larger than one hundred fifty kilowatts, or (N) sold for use in any vessel (i) having a displacement exceeding four thousand dead weight tons, or (ii) primarily engaged in interstate commerce.
Sec. 13. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2014) (a) There is established an Office of Maritime Development within the Department of Economic and Community Development for administrative purposes only. The Office of Maritime Development shall promote and coordinate, in consultation with the Commissioner of Transportation and the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, the operations of the Connecticut Port Authority established pursuant to sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act.
(b) The Governor, in consultation with the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the Commissioner of Transportation and the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, shall, within available appropriations, appoint an executive director to manage the daily activities and duties of the Office of Maritime Development. The executive director shall have the necessary qualifications to perform the duties of said office, including, but not limited to, having experience in the development and management of multi-use port operations, international trade, maritime transportation, finance and economic development. Within available appropriations, the executive director shall: (1) Appoint, employ and remove such assistants, employees and personnel as deemed necessary for the efficient and effective administration of the activities of the office; (2) develop a plan to transition the maritime functions of the Department of Transportation to the Connecticut Port Authority; (3) review and make recommendations for state policies that affect Connecticut's ports; (4) coordinate state, regional and local efforts to encourage the growth of Connecticut's ports; (5) develop a plan to eliminate the Office of Maritime Development and transition the functions of the Office of Maritime Development and the Connecticut Maritime Commission to the Connecticut Port Authority after the establishment of the Connecticut Port Authority; (6) identify, in collaboration with the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the Commissioner of Transportation and the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, qualified candidates for the board of directors of the Connecticut Port Authority and the executive director of the Connecticut Port Authority; (7) develop a plan concerning the bonding authority of the Connecticut Port Authority; and (8) prepare and submit, on or before January 1, 2016, a report of activities, findings and recommendations concerning the establishment of the Connecticut Port Authority to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce, transportation and the environment, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
Sec. 14. Section 13b-51a of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective July 1, 2015)
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: | ||
Section 1 |
July 1, 2015 |
New section |
Sec. 2 |
July 1, 2015 |
New section |
Sec. 3 |
July 1, 2015 |
New section |
Sec. 4 |
July 1, 2015 |
New section |
Sec. 5 |
July 1, 2015 |
1-79(12) |
Sec. 6 |
July 1, 2015 |
1-120(1) |
Sec. 7 |
July 1, 2015 |
1-124 |
Sec. 8 |
July 1, 2015 |
1-125 |
Sec. 9 |
July 1, 2015 |
13b-51b |
Sec. 10 |
July 1, 2015 |
13b-55a |
Sec. 11 |
from passage |
12-587(b)(2) |
Sec. 12 |
from passage |
12-458(a)(3) |
Sec. 13 |
July 1, 2014 |
New section |
Sec. 14 |
July 1, 2015 |
Repealer section |
TRA |
Joint Favorable Subst. |
|
FIN |
Joint Favorable |