Recent State Legislation Actions Focus At Roundtable

By Dean Wright, The Bristol Press

April 21, 2022

During a legislative roundtable, hosted by Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce and Bristol Health, recent state legislation actions that could impact area businesses was the focus.

Among those topics was opposition to what CBIA associate counsel, John Blair, called captive audience legislation in the form of Senate Bills 163 and 318.

“Captive audience has been around for a very long time,” said Blair. “We at CBIA have testified against it for the last 20 years.”

He described it as a legislative initiative labor unions have supported “because the language says that you cannot talk to employees as an employer in a closed room about political or religious matters or unionization efforts.”

He continued saying that if an employee felt such a discussion was being had under such a bill, they could leave the room.

“This has been preempted by federal law over the last 20 years. The National Labor Relations Board has exclusive authority over communications between employers and employees,” said Blair. “They’ve tried to pass (captive audience) in three other states and they’ve all been struck down by federal courts.”

Blair felt the bill, should it pass, would ultimately be preempted by the federal law.

When asked if the bill was passed, how it would affect the state, Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce CEO Cindy Bombard replied, “It’s just another law they've imposed on our employers.”

Blair said he felt it would make Connecticut a less business-friendly state and companies would be less likely to look at the state as a possible home.

“Your Chamber of Commerce did write a letter and sent it out to our area representatives and they should have received it Monday or Tuesday night,” said Bombard. “We worked very closely with CBIA on this and companies in our area and the impact that captive audience would have on just sitting down and having your employees come in and talk about (things like) United Way contribution.”

She noted that individuals had freedom of speech and they were welcome to walk out.

“It’s just another thing you have to do,” Bombard said, should the bills pass.

The Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce is one of the largest such organizations in the state and serves the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Farmington, Plymouth, Plainville and Wolcott.

The Connecticut Business and Industry Association is one of the largest business advocacy organizations in the state.