Bill Text: CT SB00140 | 2016 | General Assembly | Chaptered
Bill Title: An Act Concerning The Duties Of The Connecticut Marketing Authority.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Passed) 2016-06-07 - Signed by the Governor [SB00140 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2016-SB00140-Chaptered.html
Substitute Senate Bill No. 140
AN ACT CONCERNING THE DUTIES OF THE CONNECTICUT MARKETING AUTHORITY.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 22-64 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
The Marketing Authority shall develop the marketing facilities of Connecticut agriculture to bring about a wider and more economical distribution of Connecticut's agricultural products through the development of existing farmers' markets and through the establishment, acquisition, development and operation of market facilities, including land and buildings, by purchase, construction or condemnation; provided, however, that any such real estate acquisitions financed by bonds involving the full faith and credit of the state shall be subject to the provisions of section 4b-23. Subject to the provisions of section 4b-3, the Marketing Authority may lease, [the land or markets] permit or license property under the control of the authority. The Marketing Authority shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 concerning the leasing, permitting and licensing of [land or markets] property under the control of the authority. The Marketing Authority shall maintain a written record of the reasons why a prospective tenant has been granted or denied a lease, permit or license and shall notify applicants that such a record is available for inspection. Any change in lease, permit or license status shall be reported to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. Any such [market or land] property under the control of the Marketing Authority may be leased, permitted or licensed in portions (1) to an agricultural cooperative organized under the laws of this state, [and] (2) to wholesalers of farm produce or farm supplies, [and] (3) to dealers in other commodities, if the authority determines that the sale of such other commodities is of general benefit to the market, [and] (4) to persons rendering services connected therewith essential to the market, subject to such regulations as the Marketing Authority [promulgates] adopts, and (5) to entities that benefit market operations, subject to such regulations as the Marketing Authority adopts. Such leases, permits and licenses shall be for periods determined by the authority, not to exceed ninety-nine years, and may be renewed for like periods. Said leases, permits and licenses may be terminated upon mutual agreement by both parties thereto. Except as provided in section 22-63a, the appointment of all necessary employees by the Marketing Authority shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 67. The Marketing Authority shall, for the purpose of providing for the payment of the expenses of the market and the construction, improvements, repairs, maintenance and operation of its properties, fix, charge and collect rentals and charges for property, stores, stalls, space, buildings, equipment and other appurtenances, privileges and services furnished or performed, in or in connection with the market. The Marketing Authority shall have charge and supervision of repairs, maintenance and capital improvements of its properties provided that contracts may be submitted to the Commissioner of Administrative Services for review. The Marketing Authority may collect any charges due a cooperative from its sublessees and may apply any sums so collected to the payment of rent payable to the authority by such cooperative. The Marketing Authority shall [promulgate] adopt reasonable regulations relating to the use and operation of the market and its premises, equipment and facilities; marketing hours and days; sanitation; weight, measurement and display of products; inspection of products by the authority, and traffic and parking regulation, all in the interest of the public safety and convenience and to insure the most efficient and economical use of market property. The Marketing Authority, or a committee thereof to be designated by the authority, after hearing, may impose a penalty not exceeding five hundred dollars for each violation of any of such regulations, and said authority may provide for the removal from the market premises of any motor vehicle operated or parked in violation of any regulation. The nonpayment of any penalty imposed as herein provided shall be grounds for eviction and exclusion from the market of the person or corporation upon whom the penalty is imposed and in addition the amount of such penalty may be recovered by the authority in a civil action. Any person or corporation aggrieved by the imposition of penalties in excess of fifty dollars in the aggregate may appeal to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford.