SB 343, An Act Making Various Changes Related To The State Building Code And Fire Safety Code, Fiscal Notes For Proposed Regulations, Barriers For Swimming Pools, Battery-Charged Security Fences And Parking Of Electric Vehicles

TESTIMONY OF CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE
Thursday, March 7, 2024

SB 343, An Act Making Various Changes Related To The State Building Code And Fire Safety Code, Fiscal Notes For Proposed Regulations, Barriers For Swimming Pools, Battery-Charged Security Fences And Parking Of Electric Vehicles

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning SB 343, An Act Making Various Changes Related To The State Building Code And Fire Safety Code, Fiscal Notes For Proposed Regulations, Barriers For Swimming Pools, Battery-Charged Security Fences And Parking Of Electric Vehicles. CHA opposes Section 7 of the bill.

Connecticut hospitals are critical to their communities. They are confronting the challenges posed by a post-pandemic healthcare system with an exemplary healthcare workforce that continues to provide outstanding care. But challenges remain. Hospitals are treating sicker patients, it continues to be challenging to hire and retain staff, and the financial headwinds are grave. Through it all, hospitals are steadfast, providing high-quality 24-hour care for everyone who walks through their doors, focusing on making Connecticut’s healthcare system more equitable, and driving world-class innovation right here in Connecticut.

CHA opposes Section 7 of SB 343. This section would prohibit persons from parking an electric vehicle in a residential or commercial parking garage. This prohibition will have a major adverse financial impact on those hospitals that either already have or are planning to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations within their commercial parking garages. It will force hospitals to remove such EV charging stations or revise construction plans and designs to accommodate this new prohibition.

Moreover, such a change will impede current efforts in hospitals around the state to promote sustainable energy sources. In some instances, hospitals are planning to install solar panels on the top of their parking garages to ultimately feed the EV charging stations located within in the garage. This cannot occur if Section 7 is enacted into law. CHA believes that such a prohibition is an overly aggressive response to concerns about the risks of battery-related fires in electric cars. We oppose Section 7 of SB 343 given the adverse financial impact on hospitals and their efforts to promote the use of sustainable energy sources especially given the non-combustible infrastructure of a parking garage.

Thank you for your consideration of our position. For additional information, contact CHA Government Relations at (203) 294-7310.