Sine Die in Connecticut
At midnight on May 8, 2024, the Connecticut General Assembly adjourned Sine Die, ending the legislative session. The Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) was involved throughout the short session representing our industry across many pieces of proposed legislation. Huge thank you to our CRA members who supported us and showcased the power of our voice this session.
Here are some highlights:
Elimination of the Tip Credit, Senate Bill 221: DID NOT PASS
This bill would have eliminated Connecticut’s tip credit.
Blood Alcohol Level, Senate Bill 424: DID NOT PASS
This bill would have lowered the state’s blood alcohol level for driving under the influence from .08 to .05.
Junk Fees, Senate Bill 3: DID NOT PASS
This bill would have required the disclosure of all fees, charges or costs in order to sell goods or services in Connecticut, including restaurant and catering service fees.
Predictive Scheduling, Senate Bill 413: DID NOT PASS
This bill would have required employers to post employees’ schedules two weeks ahead of time and face penalties if changes were made to those schedules.
Scott Dolch, President and CEO, Connecticut Restaurant Association, testifies at a hearing at the State Capitol.
Prohibition on Noncompete Agreements, House Bill 5269: DID NOT PASS
This bill would have prohibited noncompete agreements.
Credit Card Interchange Fees Collected on Sales Tax, House Bill 5489: DID NOT PASS
The CRA is committed to bringing it back in 2025. This bill would have prohibited credit card companies from including sales tax in the calculation of interchange fees.
Expansion of Paid Sick Days, House Bill 5005: PASSED
This bill passed both the House and Senate, and was signed into law by the governor on May 28. The legislation is Public Act 24-8, An Act Expanding Paid Sick Days in the State. Since 2012, restaurant employers with 50 or more employees have had to provide five paid days off for employees. The CRA worked hard to express concerns with this bill throughout the session and we were successful in getting three specific updates to the bill:
• Staggered Implementation
• 25 or more employees in 2025
• 10 or more employees in 2026
• 1 or more employees in 2027
• Seasonal employees (working less than 120 days) are exempt from this legislation
• Allows employees to switch shifts, rather than use paid time off
Thank you to our members, the restaurant and hospitality community and each and every person who helped us in our mission through the 2024 Legislative Session.
We also want to send a special thank you to our contract lobbyist Nicole Griffin and her team from Powers, Griffin & Hill for all their efforts at the Capitol. In addition, we truly appreciate the support from the National Restaurant Association, as their team played a huge role in the CRA’s advocacy efforts.
Although the session is over, the fight is never over for our industry. To get involved, scan the QR code to subscribe to our email updates or head to ctrestaurant.org/join to join the association and help get your voice heard.
Originally in Beverage Journal June 2024. Read from the source at: https://www.thebeveragejournal.com/cra-news-sine-die-in-connecticut/