Collections : [Connecticut State Library, State Archives]

Established in 1949 and abolished in 1975, the Commission on Forfeited Rights was charged with the responsibility of reviewing and acting upon petitions to restore forfeited electoral rights for those who had been released from prison.

The Commission was established by Special Act 81-72 to address the ongoing concerns of cities and towns regarding state mandated programs and regulations. The legislature charged the Commission with identifying and cataloguing existing state mandates as well as studying the fiscal impact on local governments. The Interim Study Committee on State Mandates was established by Public Act 83-12. The records consist of memorandums, correspondence, notices of meetings, meeting minutes of both the full Commission and the subcommittees, reports, surveys, hearing transcripts, lists of mandates, lists of Commission members, text of legislation, notes, fiscal notes and impact statements, newspaper clippings, consultants reports, and research reference materials.

The Commission used nineteen survey units to study various aspects of state government and make organizational recommendations.

The Commission was responsible for encouraging "participation in, and promotion, development, acceptance and appreciation of" the cultural resources of the state. Its work fell generally into five categories: Programs, Program Development, Information Services, Technical Assistance and Grants. The seven main areas of work are in: Community Development, Dance, Education, Literature, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts.

The Commission made recommendations and proposed legislation to streamline State government that at the time consisted of 160 agencies among the three branches.

In 1939, the General Assembly enacted House Bill 1650 that established a five-member commission appointed by the Governor to study the problems associated with physical and mental diseases in Connecticut, delivery of services by state facilities and expenditures made by them and those that the state should make. Originally called the Commission on the Treatment and Care of People Afflicted with Physical or Mental Disabilities and sometimes known as the Barker Commission, the group was better known as the Commission on the Prevention and Care of Sickness.

The Commission was created in 1919 "to investigate and report on a civil administration code." It collected data on state government organization and expenditures, took testimony from government officials and others, held public hearings between April and May 1920, and drafted its final report.

The Commission studied the reorganization and consolidation of boards and commissions and revision of the public health laws.

The Commission was established by the General Assembly in 1903 to make repairs to the State Capitol and to "investigate and ascertain the necessity of erecting an additional building."

The Commission studied the State's judicial system with regards to methods of appointment of judges and their tenure in office and salaries.