Bill Text: CT HB07295 | 2017 | General Assembly | Chaptered
Bill Title: An Act Concerning Minor Revisions To The Renters Rebate Program.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Passed) 2017-07-11 - Signed by the Governor [HB07295 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2017-HB07295-Chaptered.html
Substitute House Bill No. 7295
AN ACT CONCERNING MINOR REVISIONS TO THE RENTERS REBATE PROGRAM.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 12-170f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Any renter, believing himself or herself to be entitled to a grant under section 12-170d for any calendar year, shall apply for such grant to the assessor of the municipality in which the renter resides or to the duly authorized agent of such assessor or municipality on or after April first and not later than October first of each year with respect to such grant for the calendar year preceding each such year, on a form prescribed and furnished by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to the assessor. A renter may apply to the secretary prior to December fifteenth of the claim year for an extension of the application period. The secretary may grant such extension in the case of extenuating circumstance due to illness or incapacitation as evidenced by a certificate signed by a physician or an advanced practice registered nurse to that extent, or if the secretary determines there is good cause for doing so. A renter making such application shall present to such assessor or agent, in substantiation of the renter's application, a copy of the renter's federal income tax return, and if not required to file a federal income tax return, such other evidence of qualifying income, receipts for money received, or cancelled checks, or copies thereof, and any other evidence the assessor or such agent may require. When the assessor or agent is satisfied that the applying renter is entitled to a grant, such assessor or agent shall issue a certificate of grant [, in triplicate,] in such form as the secretary may prescribe and supply showing the amount of the grant due. The assessor or agent shall forward the [original copy and attached] application to the secretary not later than the last day of the month following the month in which the renter has made application. Any municipality that neglects to transmit to the secretary the [claim and supporting applications] application as required by this section shall forfeit two hundred fifty dollars to the state, provided the secretary may waive such forfeiture in accordance with procedures and standards adopted by regulation in accordance with chapter 54. [A duplicate of such] The certificate [with a copy of the application attached] of grant shall be delivered to the renter and the assessor or agent shall keep [the third copy] copies of such certificate and [a copy of the] application. After the secretary's review of each claim, pursuant to section 12-120b, and verification of the amount of the grant, the secretary shall make a determination of any per cent reduction to all claims that will be necessary to keep within available appropriations and, not later than [September thirtieth] October fifteenth of each year prepare a list of certificates approved for payment, and shall thereafter supplement such list monthly. Such list and any supplements thereto shall be approved for payment by the secretary and shall be forwarded by the secretary to the Comptroller, along with a notice of any necessary per cent reduction in claim amounts, [not later than one hundred twenty days after receipt of such applications and certificates of grant from the assessor or agent,] and the Comptroller shall draw an order on the Treasurer, not later than fifteen days following, in favor of each person on such list and on supplements to such list in the amount of such person's claim, minus any per cent reduction noticed by the secretary pursuant to this subsection, and the Treasurer shall pay such amount to such person, not later than fifteen days following. If the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management determines a renter was overpaid for such grant, the amount of any subsequent grant paid to the renter under section 12-170d after such determination shall be reduced by the amount of overpayment until the overpayment has been recouped. Any claimant aggrieved by the results of the secretary's review or determination shall have the rights of appeal as set forth in section 12-120b. Applications filed under this section shall not be open for public inspection. Any person who, for the purpose of obtaining a grant under section 12-170d, wilfully fails to disclose all matters related thereto or with intent to defraud makes false statement shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.
(b) Any municipality may provide, upon approval by its legislative body, that the duties and responsibilities of the assessor, as required under this section and section 12-170g, shall be transferred to (1) the officer in such municipality having responsibility for the administration of social services, or (2) the coordinator or agent for the elderly in such municipality.