(a) There is established a Commission on Economic Competitiveness to analyze the implications of state tax policy on state business and industry and to develop policies that promote economic growth. In addition, the commission shall: (1) Examine and report on the implications of the tax revisions set forth in public act 15-244* on state business and industry; (2) examine the needs of large and small state businesses and industries as relates to their ability to maintain economic competitiveness; and (3) offer legislative recommendations that promote the growth and prosperity of state business and industry, including, but not limited to, recommendations relating to state tax policy.

(b) The commission shall consist of the following members:

(1) Three appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be an executive at a publicly traded corporation;

(2) Three appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be an attorney;

(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a member of an employee advocacy group;

(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be an economist;

(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of a major corporation that has its headquarters in the state;

(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be the owner of a small business based in the state;

(7) The Commissioner of Revenue Services, or the commissioner’s designee;

(8) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, or the commissioner’s designee;

(9) A representative of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, who shall be appointed by the president of said association;

(10) The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding or the chairpersons’ or ranking members’ designees;

(11) The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce or the chairpersons’ or ranking members’ designees;

(12) One appointed by the Governor; and

(13) The chairperson of CTNext, or the chairperson’s designee.

(c) Any member of the commission appointed under subdivision (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.

(d) All appointments to the commission shall be made not later than August 1, 2015. Appointments shall be for two-year terms. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.

(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the commission from among the members of the commission. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the commission, which shall be held not later than sixty days after June 30, 2015. Thereafter, the commission shall meet at such times as deemed necessary by the chairpersons or a majority of commission members.

(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance shall serve as administrative staff of the commission.

(g) Not later than January 1, 2016, the commission shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations based on the examination conducted pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance and commerce, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. Not later than January 1, 2017, and annually thereafter, the commission shall submit a report on its activities to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance and commerce, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 498; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 21; P.A. 17-105, S. 4.)

*Note: Public act 15-244 is entitled “An Act Concerning the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2017, and Making Appropriations Therefor, and Other Provisions Related to Revenue, Deficiency Appropriations and Tax Fairness and Economic Development”. (See Reference Table captioned “Public Acts of 2015” in Volume 16 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, revised to January 1, 2017, which lists the sections amended, created or repealed by the act.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 effective June 30, 2015; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 amended Subsec. (b) to add Subdiv. (10) re chairpersons and ranking members of finance, revenue and bonding committee, to add Subdiv. (11) re chairpersons and ranking members of commerce committee, to add Subdiv. (12) re one member appointed by the Governor and to add Subdiv. (13) re chairperson of CTNext, effective June 2, 2016; P.A. 17-105 amended Subsec. (b)(10) and (11) to add “or ranking members’”, effective July 6, 2017.