Sec. 32-1l. Powers.
Sec. 32-1l. Powers. In addition to his other powers and duties, the commissioner
shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To utilize the department's resources for planning and developing an economic
and community development reorganization plan which (A) sets forth policy goals for
the department, (B) determines strategies to encourage economic and community development and the provision of housing in this state, including housing for very low, low
and moderate income families, (C) determines the feasibility of dividing the operation of
programs and resources of the state in support of economic and community development
between and among the department and CDA, CHFA and CII, (D) identifies strategies
to increase the leverage of resources of the state used in furtherance of the purposes of
CDA, CHFA and CII, (E) identifies, if feasible, divisions and recommends a timetable
and procedures for transferring resources and operations between and among the department and CDA, CHFA and CII and (F) recommends specific economic and community
development objectives and administrative structures for the department and CDA,
CHFA and CII. In developing such plan, the department shall be the lead agency, in
collaboration with CDA, CHFA and CII, for research, planning and development of the
plan and shall solicit community and regional input in the preparation of such plan in
such a manner as will best help develop, clarify or further state policies for economic
and community development. The commissioner shall submit a copy of the reorganization plan to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance
of matters relating to commerce and planning and development;
(2) To propose to the Governor on or before January 1, 1996, legislation to implement the economic and community development reorganization plan described in subdivision (1) of this section;
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of the general statutes or any special act and
with the approval of the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, to transfer to CDA, CHFA and CII: (A) Any revenues received by the department
or the state in connection with any program or project of the department and the right
to receive any such revenues; and (B) any loan assets or equity interests held by the
department in connection with any program or project of the department; provided, no
such transfer shall be approved by the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Office of Policy
and Management if either determines that such transfer could adversely affect the tax-exempt status of any bonds of the state, the substantial interests of third parties, the
financial budget of the state or other essential rights, interests, or prerogatives of the
state. The commissioner may impose such conditions as he deems necessary or appropriate with respect to the use by CDA, CHFA or CII of any revenues, rights, assets,
interests or amounts transferred to it by the department under this subdivision; provided,
the commissioner may waive any requirement under this subdivision for the adoption
of written procedures until July 1, 1996;
(4) To award to CDA, CHFA or CII financial, technical or other assistance. Financial assistance awarded by the department to CDA, CHFA or CII may take any of the
following forms, subject to any conditions imposed by the department: (A) Grants; (B)
loans; (C) guarantees; (D) contracts of insurance; and (E) investments. In addition, to
the extent funds or resources are available to the department for such purposes, the
commissioner may provide such further financial or other assistance to CDA, CHFA
and CII as the commissioner in his sole discretion deems appropriate for any of the
purposes of CDA, CHFA and CII respectively;
(5) To enter into such agreements with CDA, CHFA and CII as may be appropriate
for the purpose of performing its duties which agreements may include, but shall not
be limited to, provisions for the delivery of services by CDA, CHFA and CII to third
parties, provisions for payment by the department to CDA, CHFA or CII for the delivery
of such services, provisions for advances and reimbursements to the department for any
expenses incurred or to be incurred by it in delivery of any services, assistance, revenues,
rights, assets and interests and provisions for the sharing with CDA, CHFA or CII of
assistants, agents and other consultants, professionals and employees, and facilities and
other real and personal property used in the conduct of the department's affairs; and
(6) To provide financial assistance for economic development projects directly or
in participation with the Connecticut Development Authority, to purchase participation
interests in loans made by the Connecticut Development Authority and enter into any
agreements or contracts it deems necessary or convenient in connection with such loans.
(P.A. 95-250, S. 3, 42; 95-309, S. 11, 12; P.A. 96-68, S. 1; P.A. 97-211, S. 2, 7.)
History: P.A. 95-309 changed effective date of P.A. 95-250 but did not affect this section (Revisor's note: In Subdiv.
(4) numeric Subpara. indicators were replaced editorially by the Revisors with alphabetic indicators for consistency with
customary statutory usage); P.A. 96-68 deleted Subdiv. (6) re establishment of separate bureaus of economic development
and housing and community development; P.A. 97-211 added new Subdiv. (6) re financial assistance for economic development projects and participation of the commissioner in assistance provided by the Connecticut Development Authority,
effective June 24, 1997.