An Act Concerning Legislative Oversight Of Election Law Changes Made By Executive Action.
Summary
SB 1110 would require the Secretary of the State to provide a report to the legislature by October 1, 2025 identifying each election law that was modified by executive order of the Governor or under the Secretary of the State’s authority in section 9-3 of the general statutes for any election or primary. The bill is framed as an oversight measure rather than a direct substantive change to election procedures.
In practical terms, the bill does not itself change voting rules, ballot access, or election administration standards. Instead, it adds a reporting obligation to Title 9, creating a formal record for legislative review of any election-law changes made through executive action. The affected parties would primarily be the Secretary of the State, the General Assembly’s elections committee, and indirectly the Governor’s office when executive orders are used in the election context.
Impact
The bill would amend Title 9 of the Connecticut General Statutes to impose a one-time reporting requirement on the Secretary of the State. It would not alter the underlying election laws themselves, but it would increase legislative visibility into any election-related changes made by executive order or under the Secretary’s emergency/administrative authority in section 9-3. The main legal effect is to strengthen oversight and documentation of executive action affecting elections.
Sentiment
Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, the bill’s sentiment cannot be measured from debate or roll call history. Based on the text and caption alone, the measure appears to be a Republican-sponsored oversight bill focused on legislative review of executive authority in election administration. The tone of the proposal is procedural and supervisory rather than partisan in its wording, though it is clearly aimed at checking executive-driven changes.
Contention
The likely point of contention is the balance of power between the legislature and the executive branch over election administration. Supporters would likely view the bill as a transparency and accountability measure, while opponents may see it as unnecessary or as an attempt to constrain the Governor or Secretary of the State’s ability to respond quickly to election needs. The bill specifically targets election law changes made by executive order or under section 9-3 authority, which suggests concern about unilateral changes without direct legislative approval.