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Bill Summary · SB 166

Summary of Bill SB 166 (Connecticut, 2026 Session)

Title

AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR A RADIO DISPATCH SYSTEM FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE TOWN OF MONTVILLE

Purpose

To provide state funding support for a radio dispatch system to serve the fire departments in the Town of Montville. The bill authorizes the issuance of state bonds to fund a grant-in-aid to Montville for this purpose.

Key Provisions

  • Bond authorization: The State Bond Commission is empowered to authorize the issuance of state bonds, under the authority of section 3-20 of the general statutes.
  • Total bond amount: The aggregate principal amount of bonds authorized cannot exceed $1,000,000.
  • Use of proceeds: The funds generated from the bonds are to be used by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) to provide a grant-in-aid to the Town of Montville for developing or upgrading a radio dispatch system for the town’s fire departments.
  • Legal mechanism: This is presented as a capital bonding bill intended to facilitate a specific municipal infrastructure project through state financing.

Affected Parties

  • Town of Montville: Receives a grant-in-aid funded by state bonds to support its fire department radio dispatch system.
  • Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP): Responsible for administering the grant-in-aid program and distributing funds to Montville.
  • State Bond Commission: Authorized to issue the bonds up to the specified amount in support of this project.
  • Potential users: Fire department personnel and responses within Montville, benefiting from improved radio communications and dispatch capabilities.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative path: Referred to the Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding for consideration.
  • Sponsor information: Prime sponsor Sen. Osten (26th Dist., with co-sponsors Sen. Cathy Osten and Rep. Pemberton; Rep. Pemberton listed as a co-sponsor in the bill text).
  • Effective date and implementation: The bill text does not specify an effective date beyond the bond authorization framework; actual bond issuance would follow the approval process of the State Bond Commission under existing statute (section 3-20 of the general statutes) and subsequent grant administration by DESPP.
  • Action history: Introduced and referred in February 2026; no final passage text included in the provided excerpt.

Impact Overview

  • Financial impact: A one-time state bond authorization of up to $1 million to fund a municipal public safety infrastructure project.
  • Public safety impact: Expected improvement in fire department communications via a dedicated radio dispatch system, enhancing coordination, response times, and interdepartmental interoperability within Montville.
  • Administrative impact: DESPP will oversee the grant-in-aid process and ensure funds are used for the radio dispatch system as intended.

This summary encapsulates the bill’s main goal, its concrete provisions, who is affected, and the basic procedural steps and timeline implied by the text. If you want, I can add a brief comparison to similar prior bonding bills or outline potential implementation milestones once further legislative details are published.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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