Researcher: GM Page 1 4/18/24
OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 384 (File 350, as amended by Senate “A”)*
AN ACT CONCERNING THE LOW -INCOME ENERGY ADVISORY
BOARD.
SUMMARY
This bill redesignates the “Low-Income Energy Advisory Board” as
the “Low-Income Energy and Water Advisory Board.” It relatedly
broadens the scope of the advice and assistance it may give state
agencies and adds reporting requirements.
More specifically, the bill requires the board to make
recommendations to the General Assembly on the availability and
implementation of heating and water assistance programs that benefit
low-income and moderate-income households, including the
Connecticut Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. It also
requires the board to come together and work out recommendations to
improve the availability, administration, and implementation of heating
and water assistance programs (particularly those created to benefit
low-income households) by coordinating and optimizing existing
energy efficiency, water conservation, and energy assistance programs.
Beginning by October 15, 2024, the board must biennially report this
second set of recommendations to the Energy and Technology,
Appropriations, and Human Services committees.
The bill also authorizes the board to advise and assist the Office of
Policy and Management (OPM), Department of Social Services (DSS),
and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in
planning, developing, implementing, and coordinating water-
assistance-related programs and policies, including those to alleviate
the impact of utility rates. Under existing law, unchanged by the bill, the
board must advise and assist OPM and DSS on energy-assistance-
related programs and advise DEEP on the impact of utility rates and
policies. 2024SB-00384-R01-BA.DOCX
Researcher: GM Page 2 4/18/24
Additionally, the bill changes one of the board’s 24 members,
replacing the Legal Assistance Resource Center of Connecticut’s
executive director with a designee of Connecticut Legal Services, Inc.
who must represent Connecticut Legal Services, Inc., Greater Hartford
Legal Aid, or the New Haven Legal Assistance Association.
Lastly, the bill makes technical and conforming changes, including
making Operation Fuel’s chief executive officer, rather than its executive
director, a board member and removing an obsolete reporting
provision.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024
*Senate Amendment “A” requires Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. to
designate a board member representing one of the above three
organizations instead of anyone without limitation.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Energy and Technology Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 20 Nay 0 (03/21/2024)