Senator MD Rahman Leads Passage of Bill Expanding Municipal Finance Board Eligibility

HARTFORD — Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester), Senate Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, led the Senate’s passage Tuesday of a bill that will make it easier for Connecticut’s smaller towns to fill seats on their municipal boards of finance.

Senate Bill 444 creates a new exception to the existing state prohibition on municipal employees serving on the board of finance in the town where they work and live. Under the bill, employees who earn less than $10,000 annually from the municipality will be eligible to serve. The threshold is calculated on a rolling 12-month basis.

“Boards of finance are essential to how towns manage their budgets and serve their residents, and smaller communities sometimes struggle to find enough qualified people willing to serve,” Senator Rahman said. “This bill gives those towns more flexibility without creating serious conflicts of interest. Part-time municipal employees who earn modest wages should have the same opportunity to contribute to local government as anyone else. This legislation empowers communities to make the most of the civic talent they have.”

The change is particularly significant for smaller communities, which often have fewer eligible candidates available for civic positions. Expanding the pool of eligible residents makes it easier for towns to fill critical local government roles without compromising conflict-of-interest protections.

SB 444 will now head to the House of Representatives for consideration before the legislative session’s May 6 adjournment date.