An Act Conveying A Parcel Of State Land To The Town Of Bethel.
Summary
HB 7279 authorizes the Commissioner of Transportation to convey a specific parcel of state-owned land in Bethel, Connecticut, to the Town of Bethel. The parcel is approximately 0.4 acre and is identified by tax map and land records references in the bill. The town must pay fair market value, determined by the average of two independent appraisals selected by the commissioner, plus administrative costs associated with the transfer.
The bill also requires approval by the State Properties Review Board before the conveyance can occur, and directs the board to complete its review within 30 days after receiving a proposed agreement from the Department of Transportation. Until the transfer is completed, the land remains under the care and control of the Department of Transportation. The State Treasurer is authorized to execute the deed or other necessary instruments, while the Commissioner of Transportation retains responsibility for the other aspects of the conveyance.
Impact
This bill creates a new statutory authorization for the transfer of a particular parcel of state land to a municipality, overriding any conflicting general statutes for this transaction. It affects the Department of Transportation, the State Properties Review Board, and the State Treasurer by assigning each a role in the disposition process, and it requires the town of Bethel to purchase the land at appraised fair market value rather than receive it as a free transfer. The bill does not broadly change land disposition law, but it establishes a specific, one-time conveyance procedure for this parcel.
Sentiment
The available legislative record suggests broad support and little opposition. The bill was reported as a Joint Favorable Substitute and received a 12-0 vote in committee, indicating unanimous approval among those voting. No committee transcript excerpts were provided, so there is no evidence of substantive debate or controversy in the available materials.
Contention
There is little apparent contention in the record. The only notable procedural issue reflected in the text is the requirement for State Properties Review Board approval and the 30-day review deadline, which appears designed to keep the transfer moving efficiently. Because the bill concerns a single parcel and requires payment of fair market value, any policy disagreement would likely have centered on the appropriateness of transferring state land to a town and the valuation process, but no specific objections are documented in the provided materials.