An Act Renaming A Pedestrian Bridge In Honor Of Major William R. Oefinger.
Summary
HB 5743 is a narrow naming bill that amends section 24 of Public Act 19-161 to change the official name of Pedestrian Bridge No. 05654 in Hartford. The bill would rename the bridge the "Major William R. Oefinger Memorial Bridge," replacing the existing designation of "Lt. Col. William A. Oefinger Memorial Bridge." The stated purpose is to honor Major William R. Oefinger.
The measure does not create a new program, regulatory requirement, or funding mechanism. Its legal effect is limited to updating the statutory name of a specific pedestrian bridge in Hartford, which would affect state records, signage, and any future references to that bridge in law or official documents. The bill is a local commemorative designation rather than a substantive transportation policy change.
Impact
The bill would amend Connecticut law to revise the official memorial name of a single pedestrian bridge in Hartford, specifically Bridge No. 05654. It would affect the statutory language in Public Act 19-161 and any state or municipal references that rely on the bridge’s legal name, but it would not alter transportation operations, public safety rules, or funding obligations.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or recorded vote information is available, so there is no documented debate or partisan division to assess. Based on the text alone, the bill appears routine and likely noncontroversial, as it is a commemorative renaming measure with a limited local scope.
Contention
There is no recorded contention in the available materials. The only notable issue visible from the bill text is that it changes an existing memorial designation from one Oefinger title to another, which suggests the bill is correcting or updating the honoree’s rank and name. Without transcripts or votes, no opposition or competing viewpoints can be identified.