House Bill 6956 - one of the largest unfunded mandates on municipalities in decades - died in the Appropriations Committee yesterday.

HB 6956 would have granted a costly, special workers' compensation presumption for police officers and firefighters who contract certain types of cancer or infectious diseases.

The bill would have also reopened the heart disease and hypertension mandate. The committee had a 5:00 p.m. deadline to favorably report all legislation. Committee members were divided on this mandate as debate began shortly before the deadline.

An amendment by Sen. Dan Debicella (R-Shelton) which would have required the State to reimburse municipalities for the costs associated with the mandate was adopted at the last minute. However, committee members failed to complete the vote on HB 6956 by the 5:00 p.m. deadline, defeating the mandate.

Yesterday's victory by municipalities was significant in the fight against new costly unfunded mandates on cities and towns, yet the battle continues as this proposal is expected to re-emerge as an amendment later during the session. Public Safety unions will be all-the-more-motivated as a result of yesterday’s defeat.

It is clear that members of the Committee had heard from their municipal leaders on the issue — it was crucial in providing a counterweight to heavy lobbying pressure from organized labor.

CCM applauds all local officials for contacting their legislators and urges you to remain vigilant in pressuring them to oppose this mandate as the session continues.

For more information regarding this bulletin, please contact Bob Labanara or Ron Thomas of CCM at 203- 498-3000.