Conn. Agencies Regs. § 3-77-18
When in a contested case the Secretary of State has not heard the case or read the record, the decision, if adverse to a party to the proceeding other than the office of the Secretary of the State, shall not be made until a proposal for decision is served upon the parties, and an opportunity is afforded to each party adversely affected to file exceptions and present briefs and oral argument to the Secretary of the State. The proposal for decision shall contain a statement of the reasons therefor, and of each issue of fact or law necessary to the proposed decision, prepared by the person who conducted the hearing or one who has read the record. The parties by written stipulation may waive compliance with this section.
Conn. Agencies Regs. § 3-77-18