A bill intended to eliminate certain business reporting requirements that is projected to save the state nearly $1.2 million was signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont this week.
Senate Bill 1455, now Public Act 25-62, changes a state law that requires employers subject to the state’s unemployment compensation laws to submit quarterly wage reports about their paid employees to the state Department of Labor.
The change eliminates from the reporting requirement a provision that would allow employers, beginning in the third quarter of 2026, to also include data on each employee’s occupation, hours worked, and primary worksite’s zip code.
The bill, which was co-sponsored by state Rep. Susan Johnson (D-Willimantic) and Rep. Kenneth Gucker (D-Danbury), was referred to the legislature’s Commerce Committee, where it was approved by bipartisan 20-0 vote.
The bill was approved overwhelmingly in the Senate on April 9 by a 35-0 vote with one senator not voting or absent, and on May 31 in the House by a 144-0 vote with seven members absent or not voting.
In a fiscal note on the bill, the state Office of Fiscal Analysis said the bill results in the following savings:
- The Department of Labor will save $354,143 in fiscal year 2026 and $642,417 in fiscal 2027, a combined total of $996,560, and
- The state Comptroller Fringe Benefits account will save $68,877 in fiscal 2026 and $108,999 in fiscal 2027, or $177,876 combined.
Overall, the combined projected savings totals $1.17 million.
According to the OFA report, the savings are created due to positions DOL would not need to hire as a result of the bill, including research analysts.
“These positions would be in addition to the related research analyst position that was funded in the FY ‘23 Revised Budget, but which would no longer be needed,” it states, adding, “The savings associated with this already-funded position are $110,444 in each FY ‘26 and ‘27 ($75,327 in salary, $4,452 in overhead/equipment, and $30,666 in fringe benefits for each fiscal year).”
In addition, the note states, the bill “precludes the need for $173,454 in FY ‘26 and $357,348 in FY ‘27 to make technology changes in order to receive the additional data.”
The legislation was among 28 bills Lamont signed into law on Tuesday. To date, he has signed 65 bills and signed line-item vetoes of two bills.
