AN ACT REESTABLISHING THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM REVIEW AND INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE.

House of Representatives
sHB5221 / File No. 160 1

General Assembly File No. 160
February Session, 2026 Substitute House Bill No. 5221

House of Representatives, March 25, 2026

The Committee on Government Administration and Elections
reported through REP. BLUMENTHAL of the 147th Dist.,
Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the
substitute bill ought to pass.

AN ACT REESTABLISHING THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM REVIEW
AND INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2026) (a) As used in this section and 1
sections 2 and 3 of this act: 2
(1) "Program review" means an examination of programs 3
administered by state departments and agencies to ascertain whether 4
such programs are effective, continue to serve their intended purposes, 5
are conducted in an efficient and effective manner or require 6
modification or elimination; and 7
(2) "Investigation" means the investigation of any matter which is 8
referred to the Legislative Program Review and Investigations 9
Committee, as provided in section 2 of this act. 10
(b) There is hereby reestablished a Legislative Program Review and 11
Investigations Committee, which shall be a permanent standing 12
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 2

committee of the General Assembly, consisting of (1) six members of the 13
Senate, three appointed by the president pro tempore and three 14
appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, and (2) six members of 15
the House of Representatives, three appointed by the speaker of the 16
House of Representatives and three appointed by the minority leader of 17
the House of Representatives. Members shall serve for a term of two 18
years from the date of appointment. 19
(c) The initial appointments of the members shall be made not later 20
than January 6, 2027, and thereafter appointments of the members shall 21
be made at the beginning of each regular session of the General 22
Assembly in the odd- numbered year. The terms of all members 23
appointed to the committee shall end with the termination of each 24
member's term or holding of office, whichever occurs first. Vacancies 25
shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. The 26
committee shall select cochairpersons and such other officers as it may 27
deem necessary from among its membership. 28
(d) A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum and all 29
actions of the committee shall require the affirmative vote of a majority 30
of the full committee membership. The cochairpersons and ranking 31
minority members of the joint standing committee of the General 32
Assembly requesting an investigation shall serve as nonvoting, ex-33
officio members of the Legislative Program Review and Investigations 34
Committee during the course of such investigation. 35
Sec. 2. (NEW) ( Effective July 1, 2026) (a) The Legislative Program 36
Review and Investigations Committee shall: 37
(1) Direct its staff and other legislative staff available to the committee 38
to conduct program reviews and investigations to assist the General 39
Assembly in the proper discharge of its duties; 40
(2) Establish policies and procedures regarding the printing, 41
reproduction and distribution of its reports; 42
(3) Review staff reports submitted to the committee and, when 43
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 3

necessary, confer with representatives of the state departments and 44
agencies reviewed in order to obtain full and complete information in 45
regard to programs, other activities and operations of the state, and may 46
request and shall be given access to and copies of, by all public officers, 47
departments, agencies and authorities of the state and its political 48
subdivisions, such public records, data and other information and given 49
such assistance as the committee determines it needs to fulfill its duties; 50
(4) Act on staff reports and recommend in its report, or propose, in 51
the form of a raised bill, such legislation as may be necessary to modify 52
current operations and agency practices; 53
(5) Consider and act on requests by members of the General 54
Assembly, legislative committees, elected officials of state government 55
and state department and agency heads for program reviews. The 56
request shall be submitted, in writing, to the Program Review and 57
Investigations Committee and shall state reasons to support the request. 58
The decision of the committee to grant or deny any such request shall 59
be final; 60
(6) Conduct investigations requested by joint resolution of the 61
General Assembly, or, when the General Assembly is not in session, (A) 62
requested by a joint standing committee of the General Assembly or 63
initiated by a majority vote of the Program Review and Investigations 64
Committee and approved by the Joint Committee on Legislative 65
Management, or (B) requested by the Joint Committee on Legislative 66
Management. In the event two or more investigations are requested, the 67
order of priority shall be determined by the Legislative Program Review 68
and Investigations Committee; 69
(7) Retain, within available appropriations, the services of 70
consultants, technical assistants, researchers and other personnel 71
necessary to assist in the conduct of program reviews and 72
investigations; 73
(8) Originate, and report to the General Assembly, any bill it deems 74
necessary concerning a program, department or other matter under 75
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 4

review or investigation by the committee, in the same manner as is 76
prescribed by rule for joint standing committees of the General 77
Assembly; 78
(9) Review audit reports after issuance by the Auditors of Public 79
Accounts, evaluate and sponsor new or revised legislation based on 80
audit findings, provide means to determine compliance with audit 81
recommendations and receive facts concerning any unauthorized, 82
illegal, irregular or unsafe handling or expenditures of state funds under 83
the provisions of section 2-90 of the general statutes, as amended by this 84
act; 85
(10) Meet as often as may be necessary, during legislative sessions 86
and during the periods between sessions, to perform its duties and 87
functions; and 88
(11) Report annually to the General Assembly, in accordance with the 89
provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, on or before February 90
fifteenth. 91
(b) The committee may, at any time, study any matter within the 92
scope of a completed or partially completed staff report then being 93
conducted or may, at its discretion, study and consider any matter 94
relative to program activities of state departments and agencies. 95
(c) The identity of any public employee providing information to the 96
committee shall not be disclosed. In the course of an investigation, all 97
information, records of interviews, reports, statements, notes, 98
memoranda or other data in the custody of the, or obtained or prepared 99
by, the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee or its 100
staff shall not be subject to the provisions of section 1-210 of the general 101
statutes until the investigation is completed. Any statutory 102
requirements of confidentiality regarding any records, data and other 103
information submitted under subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of this 104
section, including penalties for violating such requirements, shall apply 105
to the committee, its staff and its other authorized representatives in the 106
same manner and to the same extent as such requirements and penalties 107
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 5

apply to any public officer, department, agency or authority of the state 108
or its political subdivisions. 109
Sec. 3. (NEW) ( Effective July 1, 2026 ) (a) In any instance in which a 110
program review cites inadequate operating or administrative system 111
controls or procedures, inaccuracies, waste, extravagance, unauthorized 112
or unintended activities or programs, or other deficiencies, the 113
department head, or agency head, or the appropriate program officer or 114
official to which the report pertained, shall take the necessary corrective 115
actions and, when the committee deems the action taken to be not 116
suitable, the committee shall report the matter to the General Assembly 117
together with its recommendations. 118
(b) The committee shall report the results of each investigation 119
together with its recommendations for any further action to the General 120
Assembly electronically, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-121
4a of the general statutes. 122
Sec. 4. Section 1- 122 of the general statutes is repealed and the 123
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026): 124
(a) In accordance with the provisions of section 2 -90, as amended by 125
this act, the Auditors of Public Accounts shall biennially conduct a 126
compliance audit of each quasi- public agency's activities during the 127
agency's two fiscal years preceding each such audit or contract with a 128
person, firm or corporation for any such audit or audits. Each such audit 129
shall determine whether the quasi-public agency has complied with its 130
regulations concerning affirmative action, personnel practices, the 131
purchase of goods and services, the use of surplus funds and the 132
distribution of loans, grants and other financial assistance. Each audit 133
shall include a review of all or a representative sample of the agency's 134
activities in such areas during the relevant fiscal years. Each quasi -135
public agency shall pay the cost of conducting such biennial compliance 136
audit of the agency. 137
(b) The Auditors of Public Accounts shall submit each audit report to 138
the Governor [ . Each quasi -public agency shall pay the cost of 139
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 6

conducting such biennial compliance audit of the agency ] and the 140
Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee. Not later 141
than thirty days after receiving copies of an audit report from the 142
Auditors of Public Accounts, the Legislative Program Review and 143
Investigations Committee shall prepare an assessment of whether the 144
audit report complies with the requirements of this section and shall 145
submit the assessment and a copy of the audit report to the joint 146
standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 147
matters relating to the quasi-public agency. 148
Sec. 5. Subsection (a) of section 1 -123 of the general statutes is 149
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 150
2026): 151
(a) The board of directors of each quasi-public agency shall annually 152
submit a report to the Governor, [and] the Auditors of Public Accounts 153
and the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee . 154
Such report shall include, but need not be limited to, the following: (1) 155
A list of all bond issues for the preceding fiscal year, including, for each 156
such issue, the financial advisor and underwriters, whether the issue 157
was competitive, negotiated or privately placed, and the issue's face 158
value and net proceeds; (2) a list of all projects other than those 159
pertaining to owner -occupied housing or student loans receiving 160
financial assistance during the preceding fiscal year, including each 161
project's purpose, location, and the amount of funds provided by the 162
agency; (3) a list of all outside individuals and firms receiving in excess 163
of five thousand dollars in the form of loans, grants or payments for 164
services, except for individuals receiving loans for owner -occupied 165
housing and education; (4) a complete set of financial statements; (5) the 166
cumulative value of all bonds issued, the value of outstanding bonds, 167
and the amount of the state's contingent liability; (6) the affirmative 168
action policy statement, a description of the composition of the agency's 169
work force by race, sex, and occupation and a description of the agency's 170
affirmative action efforts; and (7) a description of planned activities for 171
the current fiscal year. Not later than thirty days after receiving such 172
report from the board of a quasi-public agency, the Legislative Program 173
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 7

Review and Investigations Committee shall prepare an assessment of 174
whether the report complies with the requirements of this section and 175
shall submit the assessment and a copy of the report to the joint standing 176
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 177
relating to the quasi-public agency. 178
Sec. 6. Section 2- 46 of the general statutes is repealed and the 179
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026): 180
(a) The president of the Senate, the speaker of the House of 181
Representatives, or a [chairman] chairperson of the whole, or of any 182
committee of either house, of the General Assembly, or either of the 183
chairpersons of the Legislative Program Review and Investigations 184
Committee, shall have the power to compel the attendance and 185
testimony of witnesses by subpoena and capias issued by any of them, 186
require the production of any necessary books, papers or other 187
documents and administer oaths to witnesses in any case under their 188
examination, including any program review or investigation, as defined 189
in section 1 of this act . Any person, summoned as a witness by the 190
authority of either house of the General Assembly or the Legislative 191
Program Review and Investigations Committee to give testimony or to 192
produce books, papers or other documents upon any matter under 193
inquiry before either house, [ or] any committee of either house, of the 194
General Assembly, [ or] a joint committee of both houses, or by the 195
Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee, who 196
wilfully makes default or, having appeared, refuses to be sworn or to 197
answer any question pertinent to the question under inquiry, shall be 198
guilty of a class A misdemeanor. 199
(b) Any individual who is subpoenaed to appear and testify before a 200
committee of the General Assembly or by the Legislative Program 201
Review and Investigations Committee shall have the right to review a 202
copy of the transcript of his or her testimony and a reasonable amount 203
of time to question its accuracy prior to the public release of such 204
transcript or its permanent filing. 205
Sec. 7. Section 2- 47 of the general statutes is repealed and the 206
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 8

following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026): 207
No witness shall be privileged to refuse to testify to any fact, or to 208
produce any [ paper] document, respecting which [ he] such witness is 209
examined by either house of the General Assembly, or by any committee 210
of either house or any joint committee of both houses, or by the 211
Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee in any 212
program review or investigation, as defined in section 1 of this act, upon 213
the ground that [ his] such witness's testimony to such fact or [ his] 214
production of such [paper] document may tend to disgrace [ him] such 215
witness or otherwise render [him] such witness infamous. 216
Sec. 8. Subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of section 2 -90 of the 2026 217
supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is 218
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026): 219
(4) The auditors shall report their findings and recommendations to 220
the Governor, the State Comptroller , [and] the joint standing 221
committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 222
relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and 223
government oversight and the Legislative Program Review and 224
Investigations Committee. 225
Sec. 9. Subdivision (1) of subsection (f) of section 2 -90 of the 2026 226
supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is 227
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026): 228
(f) (1) If the Auditors of Public Accounts discover, or if it should come 229
to their knowledge, that any unauthorized, illegal, irregular or unsafe 230
handling or expenditure of state funds or quasi-public agency funds or 231
any breakdown in the safekeeping of any resources of the state or a 232
quasi-public agency has occurred or is contemplated, they shall 233
forthwith report the facts to the Governor, the State Comptroller, the 234
clerk of each house of the General Assembly, the joint standing 235
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 236
relating to government oversight, the Legislative Program Review and 237
Investigations Committee and the Attorney General, except that if a 238
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 9

matter reported to the Auditors of Public Accounts pursuant to section 239
4-33a is still under investigation by a state or quasi -public agency, the 240
Auditors of Public Accounts may give the agency a reasonable amount 241
of time to conduct such investigation prior to the auditors reporting the 242
matter to said officials and committee. 243
Sec. 10. Subdivision (11) of subsection (g) of section 17a-28 of the 2026 244
supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is 245
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026): 246
(11) The Governor, when requested in writing in the course of the 247
Governor's official functions, the Legislative Program Review and 248
Investigations Committee, the joint standing committee of the General 249
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services, the 250
joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 251
matters relating to the judiciary or the joint standing committee of the 252
General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children, 253
when requested in writing by any of such committees in the course of 254
such committee's official functions, and upon a majority vote of such 255
committee, provided no name or other identifying information is 256
disclosed unless such information is essential to the gubernatorial or 257
legislative purpose; 258
Sec. 11. Section 51- 51l of the general statutes is repealed and the 259
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026): 260
(a) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the Judicial 261
Review Council shall investigate every written complaint brought 262
before it alleging conduct under section 51 -51i, and may initiate an 263
investigation of any judge, administrative law judge or family support 264
magistrate if (1) the council has reason to believe conduct under section 265
51-51i has occurred , or (2) previous complaints indicate a pattern of 266
behavior which would lead to a reasonable belief that conduct under 267
section 51-51i has occurred. The council shall, not later than five days 268
after such initiation of an investigation or receipt of such complaint, 269
notify by registered or certified mail any judge, administrative law 270
judge or family support magistrate under investigation or against 271
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 10

whom such complaint is filed. A copy of any such complaint shall 272
accompany such notice. The council shall also notify the complainant of 273
its receipt of such complaint not later than five days thereafter. Any 274
investigation to determine whether or not there is probable cause that 275
conduct under section 51-51i has occurred shall be confidential and any 276
individual called by the council for the purpose of providing 277
information shall not disclose his knowledge of such investigation to a 278
third party prior to the decision of the council on whether probable 279
cause exists, unless the respondent requests that such investigation and 280
disclosure be open, provided information known or obtained 281
independently of any such investigation shall not be confidential. The 282
judge, administrative law judge or family support magistrate shall have 283
the right to appear and be heard and to offer any information which may 284
tend to clear him of probable cause to believe he is guilty of conduct 285
under section 51 -51i. The judge, administrative law judge or family 286
support magistrate shall also have the right to be represented by legal 287
counsel and examine and cross- examine witnesses. In conducting its 288
investigation under this subsection, the council may request that a court 289
furnish to the council a record or transcript of court proceedings, 290
including records and transcripts of juvenile matters pursuant to section 291
46b-124 and records and transcripts of cases involving youthful 292
offenders pursuant to section 54 -76l, made or prepared by a court 293
reporter, assistant court reporter or monitor and the court shall, upon 294
such request, furnish such record or transcript. 295
(b) The Judicial Review Council shall, not later than three business 296
days after the termination of such investigation, notify the complainant, 297
if any, and the judge, administrative law judge or family support 298
magistrate that the investigation has been terminated and the results 299
thereof. If the council finds that conduct under section 51 -51i has not 300
occurred, but the judge, administrative law judge or family support 301
magistrate has acted in a manner which gives the appearance of 302
impropriety or constitutes an unfavorable judicial or magisterial 303
practice, the council may issue an admonishment to the judge, 304
administrative law judge or family support magistrate recommending 305
a change in judicial or magisterial conduct or practice. If an 306
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 11

admonishment is issued, the council shall (1) notify the joint standing 307
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 308
relating to the judiciary that an admonishment was issued and provide 309
said committee with the substance of the admonishment, including 310
copies of the complaint file, (2) notify the Chief Court Administrator that 311
an admonishment was issued and provide the Chief Court 312
Administrator with the substance of the admonishment, including 313
copies of the complaint file, and (3) inform the complainant, if any, that 314
an admonishment was issued if the admonishment is the result of 315
misconduct alleged in the complaint. Except as provided in this 316
subsection, the substance of the admonishment shall not be disclosed to 317
any person or organization. 318
(c) If a preliminary investigation indicates that probable cause exists 319
that the judge, administrative law judge or family support magistrate is 320
guilty of conduct under section 51 -51i, the council shall hold a hearing 321
concerning the conduct or complaint. All hearings held pursuant to this 322
subsection shall be open. A judge, an administrative law judge or a 323
family support magistrate appearing before such a hearing shall be 324
entitled to counsel, to present evidence and to cross-examine witnesses. 325
The council shall make a record of all proceedings pursuant to this 326
subsection. The council shall not later than thirty days after the close of 327
such hearing publish its findings together with a memorandum of its 328
reasons therefor. 329
(d) No complaint against a judge, an administrative law judge or a 330
family support magistrate alleging conduct under section 51-51i shall be 331
brought under this section but within one year from the date the alleged 332
conduct occurred or was discovered or in the exercise of reasonable care 333
should have been discovered, except that no such complaint may be 334
brought more than three years from the date the alleged conduct 335
occurred. 336
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this 337
section, the council shall disclose any information concerning 338
complaints received by the council on and after January 1, 1978, and 339
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 12

investigations and disposition of such complaints to the Legislative 340
Program Review and Investigations Committee when requested by the 341
committee in the course of its functions, in writing, and upon a majority 342
vote of the committee, provided no names or other identifying 343
information shall be disclosed. 344
[(e)] (f) On and after December 19, 1991, any judge, administrative 345
law judge or family support magistrate who has been the subject of an 346
investigation by the Judicial Review Council as a result of a complaint 347
brought before such council may request that such complaint, 348
investigation and the disposition of such complaint be open to public 349
inspection. 350
[(f)] (g) Whenever a complaint against a judge, an administrative law 351
judge or a family support magistrate is pending before the Judicial 352
Review Council within the final year of the term of office of such judge, 353
administrative law judge or family support magistrate, the Judicial 354
Review Council shall designate such complaint as privileged and shall 355
conduct an expedited investigation and hearing so that its duties with 356
respect to such complaint are completed in sufficient time to enable the 357
Judicial Review Council to make its recommendation concerning any 358
such judge to the Judicial Selection Commission and the Governor 359
under section 51-51q in a timely manner. 360
Sec. 12. Subsection (a) of section 2 -53m of the general statutes is 361
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 362
2026): 363
(a) The joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 364
cognizance of matters relating to children, in consultation with the 365
Office of Fiscal Analysis, the Office of Legislative Research and the 366
Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, shall maintain an annual 367
report card that evaluates the progress of state policies and programs in 368
promoting the result that all Connecticut children grow up in a stable 369
living environment, safe, healthy and ready to lead successful lives. 370
Progress shall be measured by primary indicators of progress, 371
including, but not limited to, indicators established in the [ final] report 372
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 13

of the [ former] Legislative Program Review and Investigations 373
Committee prepared pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of public 374
act 09-166, of state -wide rates of child abuse, child poverty, low birth 375
weight, third grade reading proficiency, and the annual social health 376
index developed pursuant to section 46a -131a. For each indicator, the 377
data shall also be presented according to ethnicity or race, gender, 378
geography, disability and, where appropriate, age and other relevant 379
characteristics. The joint standing committee of the General Assembly 380
having cognizance of matters relating to children shall prepare the 381
report card on or before January 15, 2018, and annually thereafter. On 382
or before January 15, 2018, and annually thereafter, said committee shall 383
make the report card available to the public on the Internet and on the 384
web site of the General Assembly and shall transmit the report card 385
electronically to (1) members of the joint standing committees of the 386
General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 387
appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and human services, 388
(2) the Commissioners of Children and Families, Education and Public 389
Health, (3) the Child Advocate, (4) the Secretary of the Office of Policy 390
and Management, and (5) the Chief Court Administrator. 391
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 July 1, 2026 New section
Sec. 2 July 1, 2026 New section
Sec. 3 July 1, 2026 New section
Sec. 4 July 1, 2026 1-122
Sec. 5 July 1, 2026 1-123(a)
Sec. 6 July 1, 2026 2-46
Sec. 7 July 1, 2026 2-47
Sec. 8 July 1, 2026 2-90(c)(4)
Sec. 9 July 1, 2026 2-90(f)(1)
Sec. 10 July 1, 2026 17a-28(g)(11)
Sec. 11 July 1, 2026 51-51l
Sec. 12 July 1, 2026 2-53m(a)
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 14

Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
In Section 1(c), "February 3" was changed to "January 6" to accurately
reflect the legislative session calendar.

GAE Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO

sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 15

The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of
the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not
represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general,
fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional
knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final
products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $
Legislative Mgmt. GF - Cost 1,243,624 1,228,624
State Comptroller - Fringe
Benefits1
GF - Cost 507,538 507,538
Note: GF=General Fund
Municipal Impact: None
Explanation
The bill re -establishes the Legislative Program Review and
Investigations (PRI) Committee resulting in a salary and other expenses
cost to Legislative Management of $1,243,624 in FY 27 and $1,228,624 in
FY 28, and a corresponding fringe benefit cost of $507,538 in FY 27 and
FY 28.
To meet the requirements of the bill, the PRI committee will have to
hire 12 staff. These staff will include one director, two chief analysts, 8
analysts, and one administrative assistant. The bill requires the PRI
committee to examine state agencies to determine if they are effective,
receive study requests from legislative staff and elected officials, and to
undertake studies at its own initiative.
The Out Years
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would
continue into the future subject to state employee wage increases and

1The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts
administered by the Comptroller. The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost
associated with most personnel changes is 41.82% of payroll in FY 27.
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 16

inflation.

OLR Bill Analysis
HB 5221

AN ACT REESTABLISHING THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM REVIEW
AND INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE.

SUMMARY
This bill re -establishes the legislative Program Review and
Investigations (PRI) Committee as a 12 -member permanent standing
committee beginning with the 2027 legislative session. The committee
previously existed from 1973 through 2016 (see BACKGROUND).
The bill generally restores the committee’s previous powers and
duties (e.g., the authority to access state agencies’ records and files,
including by subpoena). Like prior law, the bill requires the PRI
Committee to examine state agency programs to determine whether
they are effective, continue to serve their intended purpose, are
conducted efficiently and effectively, or require modification or
elimination. It allows the committee to receive study and investigative
requests from legislators, legislative co mmittees, elected state officials,
agency heads, and the legislature as a whole. It also allows the
committee to undertake studies at its own initiative.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2026
COMMITTEE COMPOSITION
The bill re-establishes the PRI Committee as a 12-member permanent
standing committee with three members from each caucus appointed
by the caucus’s leader. It requires the leaders to make initial
appointments by January 6, 2027 (the start of the 2027 session) and make
subsequent appointments at the beginning of each regular session in an
odd-numbered year. Members serve for two years from their
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 17

appointment, and their service ends with the termination of their term
or holding of office, whichever occurs first. The chairpersons and
ranking members of a joint standing committee requesting an
investigation must serve as ex-officio, non -voting PRI Committee
members during the course of the investigation.
The bill requires the committee members to elect chairpersons from
among the members. (In prior practice, the committee had one
chairperson from each party, alternating between the caucuses each
term.) Under the bill, all committee actions require a majority vote of the
full committee membership, and a majority of the membership
constitutes a quorum.
POWERS AND DUTIES
The bill generally restores PRI’s previous statutory powers and
duties, including, among other things, the powers and duties to:
1. obtain public records, data, information, and other assistance
needed by the committee from political subdivisions (for
example, municipalities) and state agencies, officers, and
authorities;
2. subpoena (by either chairperson) witnesses and require the
production of books, papers, and other documents;
3. retain, within available appropriations, consultants, technical
assistants, researchers, and other needed personnel;
4. review and assess reports from the state auditors and quasi -
public agencies; and
5. report to the legislature annually by February 15.
As under prior law, when a program review cites certain deficiencies
(for example, inadequate operating or administrative system controls or
procedures), the department or agency head, or the appropriate
program officer or official, must take the necessary corrective actions. If
the committee deems these actions unsuitable, it must report the matter
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 18

and its recommendations to the legislature.
Receipt of Information
The bill restores provisions requiring the Department of Children
and Families (DCF) and Judicial Review Council (JRC) to disclose to the
PRI Committee specified information when requested by the committee
in writing upon a majority vote.
Specifically, it adds the PRI Committee to the list of committees to
which DCF must disclose records without a subject’s consent upon a
majority vote of the committee. (Under existing law, it must disclose
records to the Children’s, Human Services, and Jud iciary committees
upon a majority vote.) As under existing law, DCF cannot disclose any
names or identifying information unless essential to a legislative
purpose.
The bill also requires JRC to disclose information about complaints
received against judges, administrative law judges, and family support
magistrates, as well as the complaints’ investigation and disposition.
But the disclosure cannot include names or other identifying
information.
Like prior law, the bill prohibits disclosing the identity of a public
employee who gives information to the PRI Committee. It makes the
committee’s investigation records exempt from disclosure under the
Freedom of Information Act until the investigation ends.
The bill also subjects the committee and its staff and authorized
representatives to statutory confidentiality requirements for records,
data, and information to the same extent that they apply to other
agencies and officials, including penalties for violations.
BACKGROUND
PRI Committee
The PRI Committee existed from 1973 through 2016. T he FY 17
budget revisions eliminated the committee’s funding (PA 16 -2, May
Special Session) ; PA 17 -60 eliminated statutory references to the
sHB5221 File No. 160

sHB5221 / File No. 160 19

committee’s powers and duties.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Government Administration and Elections Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 19 Nay 0 (03/11/2026)