Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB01531 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
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3		-	LCO 1 of 16
	3	+	LCO No. 6554 1 of 19
4	4
5		-	General Assembly ~~Substitute~~ Bill No. 1531
	5	+	General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1531
6	6		January Session, 2025
	7	+	LCO No. 6554
7	8
	9	+
	10	+	Referred to Committee on GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION
	11	+	AND ELECTIONS
	12	+
	13	+
	14	+	Introduced by:
	15	+	(GAE)
8	16
9	17
10	18
11	19
12	20		AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC UTILITY TRANSPARENCY AND
13	21		ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES
14	22		REGULATORY AUTHORITY.
15	23		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
16	24		Assembly convened:
17	25
18	26		Section 1. Subdivision (1) of section 1-200 of the general statutes is 1
19	27		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 2
20	28		1, 2025): 3
21	29		(1) "Public agency" or "agency" means: 4
22	30		(A) Any executive, administrative or legislative office of the state or 5
23	31		any political subdivision of the state and any state or town agency, any 6
24	32		department, institution, bureau, board, commission, authority or official 7
25	33		of the state or of any city, town, borough, municipal corporation, school 8
26	34		district, regional district or other district or other political subdivision of 9
27	35		the state, including any committee of, or created by, any such office, 10
28	36		subdivision, agency, department, institution, bureau, board, 11
29	37		commission, authority or official, and also includes any judicial office, 12
30	38		official, or body or committee thereof but only with respect to its or their 13
	39	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
	40	+
	41	+
	42	+
	43	+	LCO No. 6554 2 of 19
	44	+
31	45		administrative functions, and for purposes of this subparagraph, 14
32	46		"judicial office" includes, but is not limited to, the Division of Public 15
33		-	Defender Services; 16 Substitute Bill No. 1531
34		-
35		-
36		-	LCO 2 of 16
37		-
	47	+	Defender Services; 16
38	48		(B) Any person to the extent such person is deemed to be the 17
39	49		functional equivalent of a public agency pursuant to law; [or] 18
40	50		(C) Any "implementing agency", as defined in section 32-222; or 19
41		-	(D) Any electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline 20
42		-	company or water company, as such terms are defined in section 16-1, 21
43		-	with more than two hundred thousand customers in the state, with 22
44		-	respect to any portions of its business under the regulation of the Public 23
45		-	Utilities Regulatory Authority. 24
46		-	Sec. 2. Section 16-243gg of the general statutes is repealed and the 25
47		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 26
48		-	(a) No electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline 27
49		-	company or water company, as such terms are defined in section 16-1, 28
50		-	shall recover through rates any direct or indirect cost associated with 29
51		-	membership, dues, sponsorships or contributions to a business or 30
52		-	industry trade association, group or related entity incorporated under 31
53		-	Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent 32
54		-	corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended 33
55		-	from time to time. 34
56		-	(b) No electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline 35
57		-	company or water company, as such terms are defined in section 16-1, 36
58		-	shall recover through rates any direct or indirect cost associated with 37
59		-	lobbying or legislative action, as such terms are defined in section 1-91. 38
60		-	(c) No electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline 39
61		-	company or water company, as such terms are defined in section 16-1, 40
62		-	shall recover through rates any direct or indirect cost associated with 41
63		-	advertising, marketing, communications that seek to influence public 42
64		-	opinion or any other related costs identified by the authority, unless 43
65		-	such marketing, advertising, communications or related costs are 44
66		-	specifically approved or ordered by the authority or the Department of 45
67		-	Energy and Environmental Protection. 46 Substitute Bill No. 1531
	51	+	(D) Any public service company, as defined in section 16-1, with 20
	52	+	more than two hundred thousand customers in the state, with respect 21
	53	+	to any portions of its business under the regulation of the Public Utilities 22
	54	+	Regulatory Authority. 23
	55	+	Sec. 2. Section 16-243gg of the general statutes is repealed and the 24
	56	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 25
	57	+	(a) No electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline 26
	58	+	company or water company, as such terms are defined in section 16-1, 27
	59	+	shall recover through rates any direct or indirect cost associated with 28
	60	+	membership, dues, sponsorships or contributions to a business or 29
	61	+	industry trade association, group or related entity incorporated under 30
	62	+	Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent 31
	63	+	corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended 32
	64	+	from time to time. 33
	65	+	(b) No electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline 34
	66	+	company or water company, as such terms are defined in section 16-1, 35
	67	+	shall recover through rates any direct or indirect cost associated with 36
	68	+	lobbying or legislative action, as such terms are defined in section 1-91. 37
	69	+	(c) No electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline 38
	70	+	company or water company, as such terms are defined in section 16-1, 39
	71	+	shall recover through rates any direct or indirect cost associated with 40
	72	+	advertising, marketing, communications that seek to influence public 41
	73	+	opinion or any other related costs identified by the authority, unless 42
	74	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
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70		-	LCO 3 of 16
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72		-	(d) No electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline 47
73		-	company or water company, as such terms are defined in section 16-1, 48
74		-	shall recover through rates any direct or indirect cost associated with (1) 49
75		-	travel, lodging or food and beverage expenses for such company's board 50
76		-	of directors and officers or the board of directors and officers of such 51
77		-	company's parent company; (2) entertainment or gifts; (3) any owned, 52
78		-	leased or chartered aircraft for such company's board of directors and 53
79		-	officers or the board of directors and officers of such company's parent 54
80		-	company; or (4) investor relations. 55
81		-	(e) No electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline 56
82		-	company or water company that is a public agency, as defined in section 57
83		-	1-200, as amended by this act, shall recover through rates any direct or 58
84		-	indirect costs associated with complying with the provisions of the 59
85		-	Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200, as amended by 60
86		-	this act, unless such expenses are recognized by the authority as proper 61
87		-	business expenses for rate-making purposes that achieve the objectives 62
88		-	set forth in subsection (a) of section 16-19 and in section 16-19e. 63
89		-	[(e)] (f) On or before January 15, 2024, and annually thereafter, each 64
90		-	electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline company or water 65
91		-	company, as such terms are defined in section 16-1, with more than 66
92		-	seventy-five thousand customers shall report to the authority an 67
93		-	itemized list of costs associated with the activities described in this 68
94		-	section and subsection (b) of section 16-243p in a form prescribed by the 69
95		-	authority. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) Any 70
96		-	costs spent by the parent company or affiliates of the public service 71
97		-	company directly billed or allocated to the public service company; (2) 72
98		-	a list of the title, job description and salary of any employees of the 73
99		-	public service company who performed work associated with the 74
100		-	activities described in this section or in subsection (b) of section 16-243p 75
101		-	and the hours attributed to such work; (3) a list of the title, job 76
102		-	description and salary of any employees of the parent company or 77
103		-	affiliate who performed work associated with the activities described in 78
104		-	this section or in subsection (b) of section 16-243p and the hours 79
105		-	attributed to such work that were directly billed or allocated to the 80 Substitute Bill No. 1531
	78	+	LCO No. 6554 3 of 19
	79	+
	80	+	such marketing, advertising, communications or related costs are 43
	81	+	specifically approved or ordered by the authority or the Department of 44
	82	+	Energy and Environmental Protection. 45
	83	+	(d) No electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline 46
	84	+	company or water company, as such terms are defined in section 16-1, 47
	85	+	shall recover through rates any direct or indirect cost associated with (1) 48
	86	+	travel, lodging or food and beverage expenses for such company's board 49
	87	+	of directors and officers or the board of directors and officers of such 50
	88	+	company's parent company; (2) entertainment or gifts; (3) any owned, 51
	89	+	leased or chartered aircraft for such company's board of directors and 52
	90	+	officers or the board of directors and officers of such company's parent 53
	91	+	company; or (4) investor relations. 54
	92	+	(e) No electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline 55
	93	+	company or water company that is a public agency, as defined in section 56
	94	+	1-200, as amended by this act, shall recover through rates any direct or 57
	95	+	indirect costs associated with complying with the provisions of the 58
	96	+	Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200, as amended by 59
	97	+	this act. 60
	98	+	[(e)] (f) On or before January 15, 2024, and annually thereafter, each 61
	99	+	electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline company or water 62
	100	+	company, as such terms are defined in section 16-1, with more than 63
	101	+	seventy-five thousand customers shall report to the authority an 64
	102	+	itemized list of costs associated with the activities described in this 65
	103	+	section and subsection (b) of section 16-243p in a form prescribed by the 66
	104	+	authority. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) Any 67
	105	+	costs spent by the parent company or affiliates of the public service 68
	106	+	company directly billed or allocated to the public service company; (2) 69
	107	+	a list of the title, job description and salary of any employees of the 70
	108	+	public service company who performed work associated with the 71
	109	+	activities described in this section or in subsection (b) of section 16-243p 72
	110	+	and the hours attributed to such work; (3) a list of the title, job 73
	111	+	description and salary of any employees of the parent company or 74
	112	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
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107	114
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109	115
110		-	public service company; (4) an itemized list of costs that the public 81
111		-	service company made to all third-party vendors for any expenses 82
112		-	associated with the activities described in this section or in subsection 83
113		-	(b) of section 16-243p including unredacted billing amounts, billing 84
114		-	dates, payees and explanation of the expenditure in detail sufficient to 85
115		-	describe the purpose of the cost; and (5) any other itemized information 86
116		-	deemed relevant by the authority. No electric distribution company, gas 87
117		-	company, pipeline company or water company, as such terms are 88
118		-	defined in section 16-1, shall recover through rates any costs associated 89
119		-	with the preparation of such report. 90
120		-	Sec. 3. Subdivision (3) of subsection (d) of section 16-245m of the 91
121		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 92
122		-	thereof (Effective July 1, 2026): 93
123		-	(3) Programs included in the plan developed under subdivision (1) of 94
124		-	this subsection shall be screened through cost-effectiveness testing that 95
125		-	compares the value and payback period of program benefits for all 96
126		-	energy savings to program costs to ensure that programs are designed 97
127		-	to obtain energy savings and system benefits, including mitigation of 98
128		-	federally mandated congestion charges, whose value is greater than the 99
129		-	costs of the programs. Program cost-effectiveness shall be reviewed by 100
130		-	the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection annually, or 101
131		-	otherwise as is practicable, and shall incorporate the results of the 102
132		-	evaluation process set forth in subdivision (4) of this subsection, except 103
133		-	the Home Energy Solutions Audit program, which shall be subject to a 104
134		-	financial and performance audit by the Auditors of Public Accounts not 105
135		-	less than biennially, in lieu of review by the commissioner. If a program 106
136		-	is determined to fail the cost-effectiveness test as part of the review 107
137		-	process, it shall either be modified to meet the test or shall be terminated, 108
138		-	unless it is integral to other programs that in combination are cost-109
139		-	effective. On or before March 1, 2005, and on or before March first 110
140		-	annually thereafter, the board shall provide a report, in accordance with 111
141		-	the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the 112
142		-	General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy and 113
143		-	the environment that documents (A) expenditures and fund balances 114 Substitute Bill No. 1531
	116	+	LCO No. 6554 4 of 19
	117	+
	118	+	affiliate who performed work associated with the activities described in 75
	119	+	this section or in subsection (b) of section 16-243p and the hours 76
	120	+	attributed to such work that were directly billed or allocated to the 77
	121	+	public service company; (4) an itemized list of costs that the public 78
	122	+	service company made to all third-party vendors for any expenses 79
	123	+	associated with the activities described in this section or in subsection 80
	124	+	(b) of section 16-243p including unredacted billing amounts, billing 81
	125	+	dates, payees and explanation of the expenditure in detail sufficient to 82
	126	+	describe the purpose of the cost; and (5) any other itemized information 83
	127	+	deemed relevant by the authority. No electric distribution company, gas 84
	128	+	company, pipeline company or water company, as such terms are 85
	129	+	defined in section 16-1, shall recover through rates any costs associated 86
	130	+	with the preparation of such report. 87
	131	+	Sec. 3. Subdivision (3) of subsection (d) of section 16-245m of the 88
	132	+	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 89
	133	+	thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 90
	134	+	(3) Programs included in the plan developed under subdivision (1) of 91
	135	+	this subsection shall be screened through cost-effectiveness testing that 92
	136	+	compares the value and payback period of program benefits for all 93
	137	+	energy savings to program costs to ensure that programs are designed 94
	138	+	to obtain energy savings and system benefits, including mitigation of 95
	139	+	federally mandated congestion charges, whose value is greater than the 96
	140	+	costs of the programs. Program cost-effectiveness shall be reviewed by 97
	141	+	the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection annually, or 98
	142	+	otherwise as is practicable, and shall incorporate the results of the 99
	143	+	evaluation process set forth in subdivision (4) of this subsection, except 100
	144	+	the Home Energy Solutions Audit program, which shall be subject to 101
	145	+	audit by the Auditors of Public Accounts not less than biennially, in lieu 102
	146	+	of review by the commissioner. If a program is determined to fail the 103
	147	+	cost-effectiveness test as part of the review process, it shall either be 104
	148	+	modified to meet the test or shall be terminated, unless it is integral to 105
	149	+	other programs that in combination are cost-effective. On or before 106
	150	+	March 1, 2005, and on or before March first annually thereafter, the 107
	151	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
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148		-	and evaluates the cost-effectiveness of such programs conducted in the 115
149		-	preceding year, and (B) the extent to and manner in which the programs 116
150		-	of such board collaborated and cooperated with programs, established 117
151		-	under section 7-233y, of municipal electric energy cooperatives. To 118
152		-	maximize the reduction of federally mandated congestion charges, 119
153		-	programs in the plan may allow for disproportionate allocations 120
154		-	between the amount of contributions pursuant to this section by a 121
155		-	certain rate class and the programs that benefit such a rate class. Before 122
156		-	conducting such evaluation, the board shall consult with the board of 123
157		-	directors of the Connecticut Green Bank. The report shall include a 124
158		-	description of the activities undertaken during the reporting period. 125
159		-	Sec. 4. (Effective July 1, 2025) The Auditors of Public Accounts shall 126
160		-	hire an additional auditor to conduct performance audits not later than 127
161		-	July 1, 2026. 128
162		-	Sec. 5. Section 16-9 of the general statutes is repealed and the 129
163		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 130
164		-	All decisions, orders and authorizations of the Public Utilities 131
165		-	Regulatory Authority shall be in writing and shall specify the reasons 132
166		-	therefor, shall be filed and kept in the office of the authority and 133
167		-	recorded in a book kept by it for that purpose and shall be public 134
168		-	records. Said authority may, at any time, for cause shown, upon hearing 135
169		-	had after notice to all parties in interest not less than two weeks prior to 136
170		-	such hearing, rescind, reverse or alter any decision, order or 137
171		-	authorization by it made. Written notice of all orders, decisions or 138
172		-	authorizations issued by the authority shall be given to the company or 139
173		-	person affected thereby, by personal service upon such company or 140
174		-	person or by registered or certified mail, as the authority determines. 141
175		-	Any final decision, order or authorization of the Public Utilities 142
176		-	Regulatory Authority in a contested case shall constitute a final decision 143
177		-	for the purposes of chapter 54. 144
178		-	Sec. 6. Section 16-25 of the general statutes is repealed and the 145
179		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 146 Substitute Bill No. 1531
	155	+	LCO No. 6554 5 of 19
	156	+
	157	+	board shall provide a report, in accordance with the provisions of 108
	158	+	section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly 109
	159	+	having cognizance of matters relating to energy and the environment 110
	160	+	that documents (A) expenditures and fund balances and evaluates the 111
	161	+	cost-effectiveness of such programs conducted in the preceding year, 112
	162	+	and (B) the extent to and manner in which the programs of such board 113
	163	+	collaborated and cooperated with programs, established under section 114
	164	+	7-233y, of municipal electric energy cooperatives. To maximize the 115
	165	+	reduction of federally mandated congestion charges, programs in the 116
	166	+	plan may allow for disproportionate allocations between the amount of 117
	167	+	contributions pursuant to this section by a certain rate class and the 118
	168	+	programs that benefit such a rate class. Before conducting such 119
	169	+	evaluation, the board shall consult with the board of directors of the 120
	170	+	Connecticut Green Bank. The report shall include a description of the 121
	171	+	activities undertaken during the reporting period. 122
	172	+	Sec. 4. Subsection (e) of section 16-2 of the general statutes is repealed 123
	173	+	and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 124
	174	+	(e) To [insure] ensure the highest standard of public utility 125
	175	+	regulation, on and after October 1, 2007, any newly appointed utility 126
	176	+	commissioner of the authority shall have education or training and three 127
	177	+	or more years of experience in one or more of the following fields: 128
	178	+	Economics, engineering, law, accounting, finance, utility regulation, 129
	179	+	public or government administration, consumer advocacy, business 130
	180	+	management, and environmental management. On and after July 1, 131
	181	+	1997, at least three of these fields shall be represented on the authority 132
	182	+	by individual utility commissioners at all times. [Any time a utility 133
	183	+	commissioner is newly appointed, at least one of the utility 134
	184	+	commissioners shall have experience in utility customer advocacy] On 135
	185	+	and after October 1, 2025, any appointments shall ensure that at least 136
	186	+	one member has expertise in economics, accounting, forensic auditing 137
	187	+	or financial regulation; at least one member has experience in utility 138
	188	+	customer advocacy, with public service or administration experience; 139
	189	+	and at least one member has a law degree with experience in 140
	190	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
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184		-	The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority shall fix a time and place 147
185		-	for all hearings and shall mail notice thereof to such parties in interest 148
186		-	as the authority deems necessary and give public notice thereof at least 149
187		-	[one week] two weeks prior to any such hearing. 150
188		-	Sec. 7. Subsection (n) of section 16-2 of the general statutes is repealed 151
189		-	and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 152
190		-	(n) Two or more utility commissioners serving on a panel established 153
191		-	pursuant to subsection (c) of this section may confer or communicate 154
192		-	regarding the matter before such panel. [Any such conference or 155
193		-	communication that does not occur before the public at a hearing or 156
194		-	proceeding shall not constitute a meeting as defined in section 1-200.] 157
195		-	Sec. 8. Subsection (a) of section 16-19 of the general statutes is 158
196		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 159
197		-	1, 2025): 160
198		-	(a) No public service company may charge rates in excess of those 161
199		-	previously approved by the Public Utilities Control Authority or the 162
200		-	Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, except that any rate approved by 163
201		-	the Public Utilities Commission, the Public Utilities Control Authority 164
202		-	or the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority shall be permitted until 165
203		-	amended by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, that rates not 166
204		-	approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority may be charged 167
205		-	pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and that the hearing 168
206		-	requirements with respect to adjustment clauses are as set forth in 169
207		-	section 16-19b. For water companies, existing rates shall include the 170
208		-	amount of any adjustments approved pursuant to section 16-262w since 171
209		-	the company's most recent general rate case, provided any adjustment 172
210		-	amount shall be separately identified in any customer bill. Each public 173
211		-	service company shall file any proposed amendment of its existing rates 174
212		-	with the authority in such form and in accordance with such reasonable 175
213		-	regulations as the authority may prescribe. Each electric distribution, 176
214		-	gas or telephone company filing a proposed amendment shall also file 177
215		-	with the authority an estimate of the effects of the amendment, for 178 Substitute Bill No. 1531
	194	+	LCO No. 6554 6 of 19
	195	+
	196	+	administrative or utility regulatory law, provided at least half of the 141
	197	+	appointed commissioners shall not have had prior employment with an 142
	198	+	entity regulated by the authority. No person who is an executive of a 143
	199	+	company or other entity that has received a notice of violation from the 144
	200	+	authority or an equivalent agency, or who has been an executive or 145
	201	+	principal of a company or other entity that has engaged in litigation with 146
	202	+	the authority or an equivalent agency, shall be eligible to serve as utility 147
	203	+	commissioner. 148
	204	+	Sec. 5. Section 16-9 of the general statutes is repealed and the 149
	205	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 150
	206	+	All decisions, orders and authorizations of the Public Utilities 151
	207	+	Regulatory Authority shall be in writing and shall specify the reasons 152
	208	+	therefor, shall be filed and kept in the office of the authority and 153
	209	+	recorded in a book kept by it for that purpose and shall be public 154
	210	+	records. Said authority may, at any time, for cause shown, upon hearing 155
	211	+	had after notice to all parties in interest not less than two weeks prior to 156
	212	+	such hearing, rescind, reverse or alter any decision, order or 157
	213	+	authorization by it made. Written notice of all orders, decisions or 158
	214	+	authorizations issued by the authority shall be given to the company or 159
	215	+	person affected thereby, by personal service upon such company or 160
	216	+	person or by registered or certified mail, as the authority determines. 161
	217	+	Any final decision, order or authorization of the Public Utilities 162
	218	+	Regulatory Authority in a contested case shall constitute a final decision 163
	219	+	for the purposes of chapter 54. 164
	220	+	Sec. 6. Section 16-25 of the general statutes is repealed and the 165
	221	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 166
	222	+	The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority shall fix a time and place 167
	223	+	for all hearings and shall mail notice thereof to such parties in interest 168
	224	+	as the authority deems necessary and give public notice thereof at least 169
	225	+	[one week] two weeks prior to any such hearing. 170
	226	+	Sec. 7. Subsection (k) of section 16-2 of the general statutes is repealed 171
	227	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
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220		-	~~various levels~~ of ~~consumption, on the household budgets of high and 179~~
221		-	~~moderate income customers and customers having household incomes 180~~
222		-	~~not more than one hundred fifty per cent of~~ the ~~federal poverty level.~~ ~~181~~
223		-	~~Each electric distribution company shall also file such an estimate for 182~~
224		-	~~space heating customers. Each water company~~, ~~except~~ a ~~water company 183~~
225		-	~~that provides water to its customers less than six consecutive months in 184~~
226		-	~~a calendar year, filing~~ a ~~proposed amendment~~, ~~shall also file with the 185~~
227		-	~~authority a plan for promoting water conservation by customers~~ in ~~such 186~~
228		-	~~form and in accordance with~~ a ~~memorandum of understanding entered 187~~
229		-	~~into~~ by ~~the authority pursuant to section 4-67e. Each public service 188~~
230		-	~~company shall notify each customer who would be affected by the 189~~
231		-	~~proposed amendment~~, by ~~mail, at least one week prior to the first public 190~~
232		-	~~hearing thereon~~, ~~but not earlier than six weeks prior to such first public 191~~
233		-	~~hearing, that an amendment has been or will be requested~~. ~~Such notice 192~~
234		-	~~shall~~ also ~~indicate (1) the date, time and location of~~ any ~~scheduled public 193~~
235		-	~~hearing~~, ~~(2) a statement that customers may provide written comments 194~~
236		-	regarding the ~~proposed amendment to the Public Utilities Regulatory 195~~
237		-	~~Authority~~ or ~~appear in person at any scheduled public hearing, (3) the 196~~
238		-	~~Public Utilities Regulatory Authority telephone number for obtaining 197~~
239		-	~~information concerning~~ the ~~schedule for public hearings on the 198~~
240		-	~~proposed amendment,~~ and ~~(4) whether~~ the ~~proposed amendment 199~~
241		-	~~would, in~~ the ~~company's best estimate,~~ ~~increase any rate or charge by 200~~
242		-	~~five per cent~~ or ~~more,~~ and~~, if so,~~ ~~describe in general terms any such rate 201~~
243		-	~~or charge and~~ the ~~amount of the proposed increase.~~ ~~If a company fails 202~~
244		-	~~to provide adequate notice~~, ~~the authority shall consider the effective 203~~
245		-	~~filing date of such company's proposed amendment to be the date that 204~~
246		-	the ~~company provides adequate notice to customers, as determined by 205~~
247		-	~~the authority.~~ ~~Until~~ the ~~effective filing date,~~ ~~no days shall count toward 206~~
248		-	~~the time limit for a final decision in this subsection.~~ In the ~~case~~ of ~~a 207~~
249		-	~~proposed amendment to~~ the ~~rates~~ of ~~any public service company, the 208~~
250		-	authority shall ~~hold one or more public hearings thereon, except as 209~~
251		-	~~permitted with respect to interim rate amendments~~ by ~~subsections (d) 210~~
252		-	~~and (g)~~ of ~~this section,~~ ~~and shall make such investigation of such 211~~
253		-	~~proposed amendment of rates as is necessary to determine whether~~ such ~~212~~
254		-	~~rates conform to the principles and guidelines set forth in section 16-19e, 213 Substitute~~ Bill No. 1531
	231	+	LCO No. 6554 7 of 19
	232	+
	233	+	and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 172
	234	+	(k) No utility commissioner of the Public Utilities Regulatory 173
	235	+	Authority shall, for a period of [one year] five years following the 174
	236	+	termination of his or her service as a utility commissioner, accept 175
	237	+	employment: (1) By a public service company or by any person, firm or 176
	238	+	corporation engaged in lobbying activities with regard to governmental 177
	239	+	regulation of public service companies; (2) by a certified 178
	240	+	telecommunications provider or by any person, firm or corporation 179
	241	+	engaged in lobbying activities with regard to governmental regulation 180
	242	+	of persons, firms or corporations so certified; or (3) by an electric 181
	243	+	supplier or by any person, firm or corporation engaged in lobbying 182
	244	+	activities with regard to governmental regulation of electric suppliers. 183
	245	+	No such utility commissioner who is also an attorney shall in any 184
	246	+	capacity, appear or participate in any matter, or accept any 185
	247	+	compensation regarding a matter, before the authority, for a period of 186
	248	+	one year following the termination of his or her service as a utility 187
	249	+	commissioner. 188
	250	+	Sec. 8. Subsection (g) of section 16-2 of the general statutes is repealed 189
	251	+	and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 190
	252	+	(g) No utility commissioner of the Public Utilities Regulatory 191
	253	+	Authority or employee of the Department of Energy and Environmental 192
	254	+	Protection assigned to work with the authority shall have any interest, 193
	255	+	financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business, 194
	256	+	employment, transaction or professional activity, or incur any 195
	257	+	obligation of any nature, which is in substantial conflict with the proper 196
	258	+	discharge of his or her duties or employment in the public interest and 197
	259	+	of his or her responsibilities as prescribed in the laws of this state, as 198
	260	+	defined in section 1-85, concerning any matter within the jurisdiction of 199
	261	+	the authority; provided, no such substantial conflict shall be deemed to 200
	262	+	exist solely by virtue of the fact that a utility commissioner of the 201
	263	+	authority or employee of the department assigned to work with the 202
	264	+	authority, or any business in which such a person has an interest, 203
	265	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
255	266
256	267
257		-	LCO 8 of 16
258	268
259		-	or are unreasonably discriminatory or more or less than just, reasonable 214
260		-	and adequate, or that the service furnished by such company is 215
261		-	inadequate to or in excess of public necessity and convenience, provided 216
262		-	the authority may (A) evaluate the reasonableness and adequacy of the 217
263		-	performance or service of the public service company using any 218
264		-	applicable metrics or standards adopted by the authority pursuant to 219
265		-	section 16-244aa, and (B) determine the reasonableness of the allowed 220
266		-	rate of return of the public service company based on such performance 221
267		-	evaluation, except that no public service company that is an electric 222
268		-	distribution company may be allowed a rate of return that exceeds the 223
269		-	weighted average cost of capital for such company, as determined by 224
270		-	the authority. The authority, if in its opinion such action appears 225
271		-	necessary or suitable in the public interest may, and, upon written 226
272		-	petition or complaint of the state, under direction of the Governor, shall, 227
273		-	make the aforesaid investigation of any such proposed amendment 228
274		-	which does not involve an alteration in rates. If the authority finds any 229
275		-	proposed amendment of rates to not conform to the principles and 230
276		-	guidelines set forth in section 16-19e, or to be unreasonably 231
277		-	discriminatory or more or less than just, reasonable and adequate to 232
278		-	enable such company to provide properly for the public convenience, 233
279		-	necessity and welfare, or the service to be inadequate or excessive, it 234
280		-	shall determine and prescribe, as appropriate, an adequate service to be 235
281		-	furnished or just and reasonable maximum rates and charges to be made 236
282		-	by such company. In the case of a proposed amendment filed by an 237
283		-	electric distribution, gas or telephone company, the authority shall also 238
284		-	adjust the estimate filed under this subsection of the effects of the 239
285		-	amendment on the household budgets of the company's customers, in 240
286		-	accordance with the rates and charges approved by the authority. The 241
287		-	authority shall issue a final decision on each electric distribution or gas 242
288		-	company rate filing not later than three hundred fifty days after the 243
289		-	effective filing date of the proposed amendment. The authority shall 244
290		-	issue a final decision on all public service company rate filings, except 245
291		-	electric distribution or gas company rate filings, not later than two 246
292		-	hundred seventy days after the effective filing date of the proposed 247
293		-	amendment. 248 Substitute Bill No. 1531
	269	+	LCO No. 6554 8 of 19
	270	+
	271	+	receives utility service from one or more Connecticut utilities under the 204
	272	+	normal rates and conditions of service. For purposes of this subsection, 205
	273	+	a utility commissioner who has been employed in a profession regulated 206
	274	+	by the authority shall be deemed to have such a substantial conflict in 207
	275	+	matters concerning the former employer of such commissioner or an 208
	276	+	entity affiliated with such employer for a period of not less than five 209
	277	+	years after the termination of such employment, and such commissioner 210
	278	+	shall recuse himself or herself from participating in any matter 211
	279	+	concerning such employer or affiliated entity during such five-year 212
	280	+	period. 213
	281	+	Sec. 9. Subsection (n) of section 16-2 of the general statutes is repealed 214
	282	+	and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 215
	283	+	(n) Two or more utility commissioners serving on a panel established 216
	284	+	pursuant to subsection (c) of this section may confer or communicate 217
	285	+	regarding the matter before such panel. [Any such conference or 218
	286	+	communication that does not occur before the public at a hearing or 219
	287	+	proceeding shall not constitute a meeting as defined in section 1-200.] 220
	288	+	Sec. 10. Subsection (a) of section 16-19 of the general statutes is 221
	289	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 222
	290	+	1, 2025): 223
	291	+	(a) No public service company may charge rates in excess of those 224
	292	+	previously approved by the Public Utilities Control Authority or the 225
	293	+	Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, except that any rate approved by 226
	294	+	the Public Utilities Commission, the Public Utilities Control Authority 227
	295	+	or the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority shall be permitted until 228
	296	+	amended by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, that rates not 229
	297	+	approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority may be charged 230
	298	+	pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and that the hearing 231
	299	+	requirements with respect to adjustment clauses are as set forth in 232
	300	+	section 16-19b. For water companies, existing rates shall include the 233
	301	+	amount of any adjustments approved pursuant to section 16-262w since 234
	302	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
294	303
295	304
296		-	LCO 9 of 16
297	305
298		-	Sec. 9. Subsection (g) of section 16-19 of the general statutes is 249
299		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 250
300		-	1, 2025) 251
301		-	(g) The authority shall hold either a special public hearing or combine 252
302		-	an investigation with an ongoing four-year review conducted in 253
303		-	accordance with section 16-19a or with a general rate hearing conducted 254
304		-	in accordance with subsection (a) of this section on the need for an 255
305		-	interim rate decrease (1) when a public service company has, for the 256
306		-	rolling twelve-month period ending with the two most recent 257
307		-	consecutive financial quarters, earned a return on equity which exceeds 258
308		-	the return authorized by the authority by at least one-half of one 259
309		-	percentage point, (2) if it finds, in the case of an electric distribution 260
310		-	company, a rate of return that exceeds the weighted average cost of 261
311		-	capital for such company, as determined by the authority, (3) if it finds 262
312		-	that any change in municipal, state or federal tax law creates a 263
313		-	significant increase in a company's rate of return, or [(3)] (4) if it provides 264
314		-	appropriate notice that a public service company may be collecting rates 265
315		-	or may have an authorized rate of return which is or are more than just, 266
316		-	reasonable and adequate, as determined by the authority, provided the 267
317		-	authority shall require appropriate notice of hearing to the company 268
318		-	and its customers who would be affected by an interim rate decrease in 269
319		-	such form as the authority deems reasonable. The company shall be 270
320		-	required to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the authority that earning 271
321		-	such a return on equity, having an authorized rate of return or collecting 272
322		-	rates which are more than just, reasonable and adequate is directly 273
323		-	beneficial to its customers. At the completion of the proceeding, the 274
324		-	authority may order an interim rate decrease if it finds that such return 275
325		-	on equity or rates exceeds a reasonable rate of return or is more than 276
326		-	just, reasonable and adequate as determined by the authority. Any such 277
327		-	interim rate decrease shall be subject to a customer surcharge if the 278
328		-	interim rates collected by the company are less than the rates finally 279
329		-	approved by the authority or fixed at the conclusion of any appeal taken 280
330		-	as a result of any finding by the authority. Such surcharge shall be 281
331		-	assessed against customers in such amounts and by such procedure as 282 Substitute Bill No. 1531
	306	+	LCO No. 6554 9 of 19
	307	+
	308	+	the company's most recent general rate case, provided any adjustment 235
	309	+	amount shall be separately identified in any customer bill. Each public 236
	310	+	service company shall file any proposed amendment of its existing rates 237
	311	+	with the authority in such form and in accordance with such reasonable 238
	312	+	regulations as the authority may prescribe. Each electric distribution, 239
	313	+	gas or telephone company filing a proposed amendment shall also file 240
	314	+	with the authority an estimate of the effects of the amendment, for 241
	315	+	various levels of consumption, on the household budgets of high and 242
	316	+	moderate income customers and customers having household incomes 243
	317	+	not more than one hundred fifty per cent of the federal poverty level. 244
	318	+	Each electric distribution company shall also file such an estimate for 245
	319	+	space heating customers. Each water company, except a water company 246
	320	+	that provides water to its customers less than six consecutive months in 247
	321	+	a calendar year, filing a proposed amendment, shall also file with the 248
	322	+	authority a plan for promoting water conservation by customers in such 249
	323	+	form and in accordance with a memorandum of understanding entered 250
	324	+	into by the authority pursuant to section 4-67e. Each public service 251
	325	+	company shall notify each customer who would be affected by the 252
	326	+	proposed amendment, by mail, at least one week prior to the first public 253
	327	+	hearing thereon, but not earlier than six weeks prior to such first public 254
	328	+	hearing, that an amendment has been or will be requested. Such notice 255
	329	+	shall also indicate (1) the date, time and location of any scheduled public 256
	330	+	hearing, (2) a statement that customers may provide written comments 257
	331	+	regarding the proposed amendment to the Public Utilities Regulatory 258
	332	+	Authority or appear in person at any scheduled public hearing, (3) the 259
	333	+	Public Utilities Regulatory Authority telephone number for obtaining 260
	334	+	information concerning the schedule for public hearings on the 261
	335	+	proposed amendment, and (4) whether the proposed amendment 262
	336	+	would, in the company's best estimate, increase any rate or charge by 263
	337	+	five per cent or more, and, if so, describe in general terms any such rate 264
	338	+	or charge and the amount of the proposed increase. If a company fails 265
	339	+	to provide adequate notice, the authority shall consider the effective 266
	340	+	filing date of such company's proposed amendment to be the date that 267
	341	+	the company provides adequate notice to customers, as determined by 268
	342	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
332	343
333	344
334		-	LCO 10 of 16
335	345
336		-	ordered by the authority. 283
337		-	Sec. 10. Subsection (d) of section 16-47 of the general statutes is 284
338		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 285
339		-	1, 2025): 286
340		-	(d) (1) (A) The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority shall investigate 287
341		-	and hold a public hearing on the question of granting its approval with 288
342		-	respect to any application made under subdivision (1) of subsection (b) 289
343		-	of this section or subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section and 290
344		-	thereafter may approve or disapprove any such application in whole or 291
345		-	in part and upon such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or 292
346		-	appropriate. In connection with its investigation, the authority may 293
347		-	request the views of the gas company, electric distribution company, 294
348		-	water company, telephone company, community antenna television 295
349		-	company or holding company which is the subject of the application 296
350		-	with respect to the proposed acquisition. 297
351		-	(B) After the filing of an application satisfying the requirements of 298
352		-	such regulations as the authority may adopt in accordance with the 299
353		-	provisions of chapter 54, but not later than thirty business days after the 300
354		-	filing of such application, the authority shall give prompt notice of the 301
355		-	public hearing to the [person required to file the application] applicant 302
356		-	and to the subject company or holding company. Such hearing shall be 303
357		-	commenced as promptly as practicable after the filing of the application, 304
358		-	but not later than sixty business days after [the] such filing. 305
359		-	(C) The authority shall make its determination as soon as practicable, 306
360		-	but not later than two hundred days after the filing of the application, 307
361		-	unless the [person required to file the application] applicant agrees to 308
362		-	an extension of time or the authority extends the time as provided in 309
363		-	this subsection. The authority may extend the time period for making 310
364		-	its determination by not more than thirty days if, before the end of such 311
365		-	time period, the authority notifies all parties and intervenors to the 312
366		-	proceedings of such extension. 313
367		-	(D) The authority may, in its discretion, grant the subject company, 314 Substitute Bill No. 1531
	346	+	LCO No. 6554 10 of 19
	347	+
	348	+	the authority. Until the effective filing date, no days shall count toward 269
	349	+	the time limit for a final decision in this subsection. In the case of a 270
	350	+	proposed amendment to the rates of any public service company, the 271
	351	+	authority shall hold one or more public hearings thereon, except as 272
	352	+	permitted with respect to interim rate amendments by subsections (d) 273
	353	+	and (g) of this section, and shall make such investigation of such 274
	354	+	proposed amendment of rates as is necessary to determine whether such 275
	355	+	rates conform to the principles and guidelines set forth in section 16-19e, 276
	356	+	or are unreasonably discriminatory or more or less than just, reasonable 277
	357	+	and adequate, or that the service furnished by such company is 278
	358	+	inadequate to or in excess of public necessity and convenience, provided 279
	359	+	the authority may (A) evaluate the reasonableness and adequacy of the 280
	360	+	performance or service of the public service company using any 281
	361	+	applicable metrics or standards adopted by the authority pursuant to 282
	362	+	section 16-244aa, and (B) determine the reasonableness of the allowed 283
	363	+	rate of return of the public service company based on such performance 284
	364	+	evaluation, except that no public service company that is an electric 285
	365	+	distribution company may be allowed a rate of return that exceeds the 286
	366	+	weighted average cost of capital for such company, as determined by 287
	367	+	the authority. The authority, if in its opinion such action appears 288
	368	+	necessary or suitable in the public interest may, and, upon written 289
	369	+	petition or complaint of the state, under direction of the Governor, shall, 290
	370	+	make the aforesaid investigation of any such proposed amendment 291
	371	+	which does not involve an alteration in rates. If the authority finds any 292
	372	+	proposed amendment of rates to not conform to the principles and 293
	373	+	guidelines set forth in section 16-19e, or to be unreasonably 294
	374	+	discriminatory or more or less than just, reasonable and adequate to 295
	375	+	enable such company to provide properly for the public convenience, 296
	376	+	necessity and welfare, or the service to be inadequate or excessive, it 297
	377	+	shall determine and prescribe, as appropriate, an adequate service to be 298
	378	+	furnished or just and reasonable maximum rates and charges to be made 299
	379	+	by such company. In the case of a proposed amendment filed by an 300
	380	+	electric distribution, gas or telephone company, the authority shall also 301
	381	+	adjust the estimate filed under this subsection of the effects of the 302
	382	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
368	383
369	384
370		-	LCO 11 of 16
371	385
372		-	certificate holder, provider or holding company the opportunity to 315
373		-	participate in the hearing by presenting evidence and oral and written 316
374		-	argument. [If the authority fails to give notice of its determination to 317
375		-	hold a hearing, commence the hearing, or render its determination after 318
376		-	the hearing within the time limits specified in this subdivision, the 319
377		-	proposed acquisition shall be deemed approved.] 320
378		-	(E) In each proceeding on a written application submitted under said 321
379		-	subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section or subdivision (1) of 322
380		-	subsection (c) of this section, the authority shall, in a manner [which] 323
381		-	that treats all parties to the proceeding on an equal basis, take into 324
382		-	consideration [(1)] (i) the financial, technological and managerial 325
383		-	suitability and responsibility of the applicant, [(2)] (ii) the ability of the 326
384		-	gas company, electric distribution company, water company, telephone 327
385		-	company, community antenna television company or holding company 328
386		-	which is the subject of the application to provide safe, adequate and 329
387		-	reliable service to the public through the company's plant, equipment 330
388		-	and manner of operation if the application were to be approved, and 331
389		-	[(3)] (iii) for an application concerning a telephone company, the effect 332
390		-	of approval on the location and accessibility of management and 333
391		-	operations and on the proportion and number of state resident 334
392		-	employees. 335
393		-	(F) The authority shall only grant its approval of an application filed 336
394		-	on or after January 1, 2021, made under subdivision (1) of subsection (c) 337
395		-	of this section, if the holding company [effects] implements a change in 338
396		-	the composition of the board of directors to include a proportional 339
397		-	percentage of Connecticut-based directors equivalent to the percentage 340
398		-	that Connecticut service areas represent of the total service areas 341
399		-	covered by the holding company. 342
400		-	(G) On and after October 1, 2025, the authority shall not approve any 343
401		-	application made pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this 344
402		-	section if the applicant seeking approval to control a gas company or 345
403		-	electric distribution company, or a holding company thereof, already 346
404		-	controls a gas company or electric distribution company, or a holding 347 Substitute Bill No. 1531
	386	+	LCO No. 6554 11 of 19
	387	+
	388	+	amendment on the household budgets of the company's customers, in 303
	389	+	accordance with the rates and charges approved by the authority. The 304
	390	+	authority shall issue a final decision on each electric distribution or gas 305
	391	+	company rate filing not later than three hundred fifty days after the 306
	392	+	effective filing date of the proposed amendment. The authority shall 307
	393	+	issue a final decision on all public service company rate filings, except 308
	394	+	electric distribution or gas company rate filings, not later than two 309
	395	+	hundred seventy days after the effective filing date of the proposed 310
	396	+	amendment. 311
	397	+	Sec. 11. Subsection (g) of section 16-19 of the general statutes is 312
	398	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 313
	399	+	1, 2025) 314
	400	+	(g) The authority shall hold either a special public hearing or combine 315
	401	+	an investigation with an ongoing four-year review conducted in 316
	402	+	accordance with section 16-19a or with a general rate hearing conducted 317
	403	+	in accordance with subsection (a) of this section on the need for an 318
	404	+	interim rate decrease (1) when a public service company has, for the 319
	405	+	rolling twelve-month period ending with the two most recent 320
	406	+	consecutive financial quarters, earned a return on equity which exceeds 321
	407	+	the return authorized by the authority by at least one-half of one 322
	408	+	percentage point, (2) if it finds, in the case of an electric distribution 323
	409	+	company, a rate of return that exceeds the weighted average cost of 324
	410	+	capital for such company, as determined by the authority, (3) if it finds 325
	411	+	that any change in municipal, state or federal tax law creates a 326
	412	+	significant increase in a company's rate of return, or [(3)] (4) if it provides 327
	413	+	appropriate notice that a public service company may be collecting rates 328
	414	+	or may have an authorized rate of return which is or are more than just, 329
	415	+	reasonable and adequate, as determined by the authority, provided the 330
	416	+	authority shall require appropriate notice of hearing to the company 331
	417	+	and its customers who would be affected by an interim rate decrease in 332
	418	+	such form as the authority deems reasonable. The company shall be 333
	419	+	required to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the authority that earning 334
	420	+	such a return on equity, having an authorized rate of return or collecting 335
	421	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
405	422
406	423
407		-	LCO 12 of 16
408	424
409		-	company thereof, in the state. 348
410		-	(2) (A) The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority shall investigate and 349
411		-	hold a public hearing on the question of granting its approval with 350
412		-	respect to any application made under subdivision (2) of subsection (b) 351
413		-	of this section or subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section and 352
414		-	thereafter may approve or disapprove any such application in whole or 353
415		-	in part and upon such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or 354
416		-	appropriate. In connection with its investigation, the authority may 355
417		-	request the views of the subject certificate holder, provider or holding 356
418		-	company which is the subject of the application with respect to the 357
419		-	proposed acquisition. 358
420		-	(B) After the filing of an application satisfying the requirements of 359
421		-	such regulations as the authority may adopt in accordance with the 360
422		-	provisions of chapter 54, but not later than thirty business days after the 361
423		-	filing of such application, the authority shall give prompt notice of the 362
424		-	public hearing to the [person required to file the application] applicant 363
425		-	and to the subject certificate holder, provider or holding company. Such 364
426		-	hearing shall be commenced as promptly as practicable after the filing 365
427		-	of the application, but not later than sixty business days after [the] such 366
428		-	filing. [, and the] 367
429		-	(C) The authority shall make its determination as soon as practicable, 368
430		-	but not later than one hundred eighty days after the filing of the 369
431		-	application [,] unless the [person required to file the application] 370
432		-	applicant agrees to an extension of time or the authority extends the time 371
433		-	as provided in this subsection. The authority may extend the time 372
434		-	period for making its determination by not more than thirty days if, 373
435		-	before the end of such period, the authority notifies all parties and 374
436		-	intervenors to the proceedings of such extension, [. Such authority-375
437		-	noticed extension may only occur once] provided only one such 376
438		-	extension may be noticed by the authority. 377
439		-	(D) The authority shall, upon request of the certificate holder, 378
440		-	provider or holding company, grant the subject company or holding 379 Substitute Bill No. 1531
	425	+	LCO No. 6554 12 of 19
	426	+
	427	+	rates which are more than just, reasonable and adequate is directly 336
	428	+	beneficial to its customers. At the completion of the proceeding, the 337
	429	+	authority may order an interim rate decrease if it finds that such return 338
	430	+	on equity or rates exceeds a reasonable rate of return or is more than 339
	431	+	just, reasonable and adequate as determined by the authority. Any such 340
	432	+	interim rate decrease shall be subject to a customer surcharge if the 341
	433	+	interim rates collected by the company are less than the rates finally 342
	434	+	approved by the authority or fixed at the conclusion of any appeal taken 343
	435	+	as a result of any finding by the authority. Such surcharge shall be 344
	436	+	assessed against customers in such amounts and by such procedure as 345
	437	+	ordered by the authority. 346
	438	+	Sec. 12. Subsection (d) of section 16-47 of the general statutes is 347
	439	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 348
	440	+	1, 2025): 349
	441	+	(d) (1) (A) The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority shall investigate 350
	442	+	and hold a public hearing on the question of granting its approval with 351
	443	+	respect to any application made under subdivision (1) of subsection (b) 352
	444	+	of this section or subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section and 353
	445	+	thereafter may approve or disapprove any such application in whole or 354
	446	+	in part and upon such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or 355
	447	+	appropriate. In connection with its investigation, the authority may 356
	448	+	request the views of the gas company, electric distribution company, 357
	449	+	water company, telephone company, community antenna television 358
	450	+	company or holding company which is the subject of the application 359
	451	+	with respect to the proposed acquisition. 360
	452	+	(B) After the filing of an application satisfying the requirements of 361
	453	+	such regulations as the authority may adopt in accordance with the 362
	454	+	provisions of chapter 54, but not later than thirty business days after the 363
	455	+	filing of such application, the authority shall give prompt notice of the 364
	456	+	public hearing to the [person required to file the application] applicant 365
	457	+	and to the subject company or holding company. Such hearing shall be 366
	458	+	commenced as promptly as practicable after the filing of the application, 367
	459	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
441	460
442	461
443		-	LCO 13 of 16
444	462
445		-	company the opportunity to participate in the hearing by presenting 380
446		-	evidence and oral and written argument. 381
447		-	(E) If the authority fails to give notice of its determination to hold a 382
448		-	hearing, commence the hearing or render its determination after the 383
449		-	hearing within the time limits specified in this subdivision, the 384
450		-	proposed acquisition shall be deemed approved. 385
451		-	(F) In each proceeding on a written application submitted under 386
452		-	[said] subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section or subdivision (2) 387
453		-	of subsection (c) of this section, the scope of review for the authority 388
454		-	shall be limited to [(A)] (i) the financial, technological and managerial 389
455		-	suitability and responsibility of the applicant, and [(B)] (ii) the legal, 390
456		-	financial and technical ability of the holder of a certificate of cable 391
457		-	franchise authority pursuant to section 16 -331p, certified 392
458		-	telecommunications provider, certified competitive video service 393
459		-	provider or holding company which is the subject of the application to 394
460		-	provide safe, adequate and reliable service subject to the authority's 395
461		-	regulation. 396
462		-	Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) On and after January 1, 2026, 397
463		-	no person, firm or corporation shall control both an electric distribution 398
464		-	company and a gas company, as defined in section 16-1 of the general 399
465		-	statutes. Any such person, firm or corporation that has control of more 400
466		-	than one such company in violation of this section shall divest itself of 401
467		-	the additional company and retain not more than one such company by 402
468		-	January 1, 2026. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority shall, after 403
469		-	notice and hearing in accordance with section 16-10a of the general 404
470		-	statutes, as amended by this act, revoke the franchise to operate as a 405
471		-	public service company, as defined in section 16-1 of the general 406
472		-	statutes, of any person, firm or corporation that is not in compliance 407
473		-	with the provisions of this section. 408
474		-	Sec. 12. Subsection (a) of section 16-10a of the general statutes is 409
475		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 410
476		-	1, 2025): 411 Substitute Bill No. 1531
	463	+	LCO No. 6554 13 of 19
	464	+
	465	+	but not later than sixty business days after [the] such filing. 368
	466	+	(C) The authority shall make its determination as soon as practicable, 369
	467	+	but not later than two hundred days after the filing of the application, 370
	468	+	unless the [person required to file the application] applicant agrees to 371
	469	+	an extension of time or the authority extends the time as provided in 372
	470	+	this subsection. The authority may extend the time period for making 373
	471	+	its determination by not more than thirty days if, before the end of such 374
	472	+	time period, the authority notifies all parties and intervenors to the 375
	473	+	proceedings of such extension. 376
	474	+	(D) The authority may, in its discretion, grant the subject company, 377
	475	+	certificate holder, provider or holding company the opportunity to 378
	476	+	participate in the hearing by presenting evidence and oral and written 379
	477	+	argument. 380
	478	+	(E) If the authority fails to give notice of its determination to hold a 381
	479	+	hearing, commence the hearing, or render its determination after the 382
	480	+	hearing within the time limits specified in this subdivision, the 383
	481	+	proposed acquisition shall be deemed approved, except no such 384
	482	+	proposed acquisition shall be deemed approved pursuant to this 385
	483	+	subparagraph if the applicant (i) seeks approval to control a gas 386
	484	+	company or electric distribution company, or a holding company 387
	485	+	thereof, and (ii) already controls a gas company or electric distribution 388
	486	+	company, or a holding company thereof, in the state. 389
	487	+	(F) In each proceeding on a written application submitted under said 390
	488	+	subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section or subdivision (1) of 391
	489	+	subsection (c) of this section, the authority shall, in a manner [which] 392
	490	+	that treats all parties to the proceeding on an equal basis, take into 393
	491	+	consideration [(1)] (i) the financial, technological and managerial 394
	492	+	suitability and responsibility of the applicant, [(2)] (ii) the ability of the 395
	493	+	gas company, electric distribution company, water company, telephone 396
	494	+	company, community antenna television company or holding company 397
	495	+	which is the subject of the application to provide safe, adequate and 398
	496	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
477	497
478	498
479		-	LCO 14 of 16
480	499
481		-	~~(a) Whenever any person,~~ ~~firm or corporation,~~ ~~incorporated under 412~~
482		-	~~the general statutes or any special act, is granted a franchise to operate 413~~
483		-	~~as a~~ public ~~service~~ company, ~~as defined in section 16-1, and fails to 414~~
484		-	~~provide service which is adequate~~ to ~~serve the public convenience~~ and ~~415~~
485		-	~~necessity of any town~~, ~~city, borough,~~ ~~district or other political 416~~
486		-	~~subdivision~~ of ~~the state,~~ ~~or any portion thereof, for a period of five years 417~~
487		-	~~from~~ the ~~date~~ of ~~such franchise or from January 1, 1961, whichever is 418~~
488		-	~~later, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, on its own initiative, or 419~~
489		-	~~upon complaint~~ of ~~any such town,~~ ~~city, borough, district or other 420~~
490		-	~~political subdivision,~~ or ~~on petition~~ of ~~not less than five per cent of the 421~~
491		-	~~affected persons~~, ~~but~~ in ~~no event more than one thousand persons, in 422~~
492		-	~~any such town,~~ ~~city, borough,~~ ~~district or other political subdivision,~~ ~~shall 423~~
493		-	~~fix a time and place for a hearing~~ to ~~be held thereon.~~ ~~Whenever any such 424~~
494		-	~~person, firm or corporation fails to comply with~~ the ~~merger prohibition 425~~
495		-	~~set forth in section 11 of this act,~~ the ~~authority shall fix a time and place 426~~
496		-	~~for a hearing to be held thereon.~~ The authority shall ~~give notice thereof 427~~
497		-	to ~~all parties in interest and shall make such further investigation into 428~~
498		-	the ~~alleged failure~~ to ~~provide such service~~ or ~~comply with the merger 429~~
499		-	~~prohibition as it deems necessary. If upon such hearing~~, ~~said authority 430~~
500		-	~~finds that the holder of such franchise has failed to provide such service 431~~
501		-	~~or comply with such prohibition and that there is an immediate need for 432~~
502		-	~~such service,~~ ~~it may revoke such franchise as to any such town, city, 433~~
503		-	~~borough, district or political subdivision,~~ ~~or any portion thereof,~~ ~~or 434~~
504		-	~~make such other order as may be necessary~~ to ~~provide such service.~~ ~~435~~
505		-	~~Whenever any person, firm~~ or ~~corporation, incorporated under the 436~~
506		-	~~general statutes~~ or any ~~special act,~~ ~~is granted a franchise to operate as a 437~~
507		-	~~railroad company,~~ as ~~defined in section 13b-199, and fails to provide 438~~
508		-	~~adequate service~~, ~~or has discontinued~~ the ~~service, on any segment of its 439~~
509		-	~~lines for which such franchise is granted for a period~~ of ~~five years~~ or ~~440~~
510		-	~~more,~~ the ~~franchise for such segment~~ of ~~line shall cease~~ to ~~exist and shall 441~~
511		-	~~be revoked by the authority for such failure to operate such service or 442~~
512		-	~~discontinuance~~ of ~~service for a period~~ of ~~five years or more. 443~~
513		-	~~Sec. 13.~~ ~~(NEW) (Effective~~ ~~October 1,~~ ~~2025) Notwithstanding any 444~~
514		-	~~provision of the general statutes, no state agency, as defined in section 445 Substitute~~ Bill No. 1531
	500	+	LCO No. 6554 14 of 19
	501	+
	502	+	reliable service to the public through the company's plant, equipment 399
	503	+	and manner of operation if the application were to be approved, and 400
	504	+	[(3)] (iii) for an application concerning a telephone company, the effect 401
	505	+	of approval on the location and accessibility of management and 402
	506	+	operations and on the proportion and number of state resident 403
	507	+	employees. 404
	508	+	(G) The authority shall only grant its approval of an application filed 405
	509	+	on or after January 1, 2021, made under subdivision (1) of subsection (c) 406
	510	+	of this section, if the holding company [effects] implements a change in 407
	511	+	the composition of the board of directors to include a proportional 408
	512	+	percentage of Connecticut-based directors equivalent to the percentage 409
	513	+	that Connecticut service areas represent of the total service areas 410
	514	+	covered by the holding company. 411
	515	+	(H) On and after October 1, 2025, the authority shall not approve any 412
	516	+	application made pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this 413
	517	+	section if the applicant seeking approval to control a gas company or 414
	518	+	electric distribution company, or a holding company thereof, already 415
	519	+	controls a gas company or electric distribution company, or a holding 416
	520	+	company thereof, in the state. 417
	521	+	(2) (A) The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority shall investigate and 418
	522	+	hold a public hearing on the question of granting its approval with 419
	523	+	respect to any application made under subdivision (2) of subsection (b) 420
	524	+	of this section or subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section and 421
	525	+	thereafter may approve or disapprove any such application in whole or 422
	526	+	in part and upon such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or 423
	527	+	appropriate. In connection with its investigation, the authority may 424
	528	+	request the views of the subject certificate holder, provider or holding 425
	529	+	company which is the subject of the application with respect to the 426
	530	+	proposed acquisition. 427
	531	+	(B) After the filing of an application satisfying the requirements of 428
	532	+	such regulations as the authority may adopt in accordance with the 429
	533	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
515	534
516	535
517		-	LCO 15 of 16
518	536
519		-	4b-13 of the general statutes, quasi-public agency, as defined in section 446
520		-	1-120 of the general statutes, or municipality, as defined in section 7-447
521		-	131q of the general statutes, shall offer a right of first refusal for the 448
522		-	conveyance of any real property to a public service company, as defined 449
523		-	in section 16-1 of the general statutes, prior to offering such property for 450
524		-	general sale. 451
525		-	Sec. 14. Section 16-19 of the general statutes is amended by adding 452
526		-	subsection (i) as follows (Effective October 1, 2025): 453
527		-	(NEW) (i) The authority shall not approve the imposition of any fee 454
528		-	by a public service company under this section that would discourage 455
529		-	the adoption of grid-enhancing or energy-efficient technologies, 456
530		-	provided the provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to 457
531		-	apply to an order by the authority under this section concerning rates 458
532		-	that is perceived by a public service company to discourage such 459
533		-	company from making capital investments in the grid. 460
534		-	Sec. 15. Subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of section 16-245d of the 461
535		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 462
536		-	thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 463
537		-	(5) An electric distribution company shall, in accordance with the 464
538		-	billing format developed by the authority, include the following 465
539		-	information in each customer's bill: (A) The total amount owed by the 466
540		-	customer, which shall be itemized using the categories described in 467
541		-	subdivision (3) of this subsection; (B) any unpaid amounts from 468
542		-	previous bills which shall be listed separately from current charges; (C) 469
543		-	except for customers subject to a demand charge, the rate and usage for 470
544		-	the current month and each of the previous twelve months in the form 471
545		-	of a bar graph or other visual form; (D) the payment due date; (E) the 472
546		-	interest rate applicable to any unpaid amount; (F) the toll-free telephone 473
547		-	number of the electric distribution company to report power losses; (G) 474
548		-	the toll-free telephone number of the Public Utilities Regulatory 475
549		-	Authority for questions or complaints; and (H) if a customer has a 476
550		-	demand of five hundred kilowatts or less during the preceding twelve 477 Substitute Bill No. 1531
	537	+	LCO No. 6554 15 of 19
	538	+
	539	+	provisions of chapter 54, but not later than thirty business days after the 430
	540	+	filing of such application, the authority shall give prompt notice of the 431
	541	+	public hearing to the [person required to file the application] applicant 432
	542	+	and to the subject certificate holder, provider or holding company. Such 433
	543	+	hearing shall be commenced as promptly as practicable after the filing 434
	544	+	of the application, but not later than sixty business days after [the] such 435
	545	+	filing. [, and the] 436
	546	+	(C) The authority shall make its determination as soon as practicable, 437
	547	+	but not later than one hundred eighty days after the filing of the 438
	548	+	application [,] unless the [person required to file the application] 439
	549	+	applicant agrees to an extension of time or the authority extends the time 440
	550	+	as provided in this subsection. The authority may extend the time 441
	551	+	period for making its determination by not more than thirty days if, 442
	552	+	before the end of such period, the authority notifies all parties and 443
	553	+	intervenors to the proceedings of such extension, [. Such authority-444
	554	+	noticed extension may only occur once] provided only one such 445
	555	+	extension may be noticed by the authority. 446
	556	+	(D) The authority shall, upon request of the certificate holder, 447
	557	+	provider or holding company, grant the subject company or holding 448
	558	+	company the opportunity to participate in the hearing by presenting 449
	559	+	evidence and oral and written argument. 450
	560	+	(E) If the authority fails to give notice of its determination to hold a 451
	561	+	hearing, commence the hearing or render its determination after the 452
	562	+	hearing within the time limits specified in this subdivision, the 453
	563	+	proposed acquisition shall be deemed approved. 454
	564	+	(F) In each proceeding on a written application submitted under said 455
	565	+	subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section or subdivision (2) of 456
	566	+	subsection (c) of this section, the scope of review for the authority shall 457
	567	+	be limited to [(A)] (i) the financial, technological and managerial 458
	568	+	suitability and responsibility of the applicant, and [(B)] (ii) the legal, 459
	569	+	financial and technical ability of the holder of a certificate of cable 460
	570	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
551	571
552	572
553		-	LCO 16 of 16
554	573
555		-	months, a statement about the availability of information concerning 478
556		-	electric suppliers pursuant to section 16-245p. An electric distribution 479
557		-	company shall not impose any fee that has not been authorized by the 480
558		-	authority pursuant to any provision of this title. 481
	574	+	LCO No. 6554 16 of 19
	575	+
	576	+	franchise authority pursuant to section 16 -331p, certified 461
	577	+	telecommunications provider, certified competitive video service 462
	578	+	provider or holding company which is the subject of the application to 463
	579	+	provide safe, adequate and reliable service subject to the authority's 464
	580	+	regulation. 465
	581	+	Sec. 13. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) On and after January 1, 2026, 466
	582	+	no person, firm or corporation shall control both an electric distribution 467
	583	+	company and a gas company, as defined in section 16-1 of the general 468
	584	+	statutes. Any such person, firm or corporation that has control of more 469
	585	+	than one such company in violation of this section shall divest itself of 470
	586	+	the additional company and retain no more than one such company by 471
	587	+	January 1, 2026. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority shall, after 472
	588	+	notice and hearing in accordance with section 16-10a of the general 473
	589	+	statutes, as amended by this act, revoke the franchise to operate as a 474
	590	+	public service company, as defined in section 16-1 of the general 475
	591	+	statutes, of any person, firm or corporation that is not in compliance 476
	592	+	with the provisions of this section. 477
	593	+	Sec. 14. Subsection (a) of section 16-10a of the general statutes is 478
	594	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 479
	595	+	1, 2025): 480
	596	+	(a) Whenever any person, firm or corporation, incorporated under 481
	597	+	the general statutes or any special act, is granted a franchise to operate 482
	598	+	as a public service company, as defined in section 16-1, and fails to 483
	599	+	provide service which is adequate to serve the public convenience and 484
	600	+	necessity of any town, city, borough, district or other political 485
	601	+	subdivision of the state, or any portion thereof, for a period of five years 486
	602	+	from the date of such franchise or from January 1, 1961, whichever is 487
	603	+	later, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, on its own initiative, or 488
	604	+	upon complaint of any such town, city, borough, district or other 489
	605	+	political subdivision, or on petition of not less than five per cent of the 490
	606	+	affected persons, but in no event more than one thousand persons, in 491
	607	+	any such town, city, borough, district or other political subdivision, shall 492
	608	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
	609	+
	610	+
	611	+
	612	+	LCO No. 6554 17 of 19
	613	+
	614	+	fix a time and place for a hearing to be held thereon. Whenever any such 493
	615	+	person, firm or corporation fails to comply with the merger prohibition 494
	616	+	set forth in section 13 of this act, the authority shall fix a time and place 495
	617	+	for a hearing to be held thereon. The authority shall give notice thereof 496
	618	+	to all parties in interest and shall make such further investigation into 497
	619	+	the alleged failure to provide such service or comply with the merger 498
	620	+	prohibition as it deems necessary. If upon such hearing, said authority 499
	621	+	finds that the holder of such franchise has failed to provide such service 500
	622	+	or comply with such prohibition and that there is an immediate need for 501
	623	+	such service, it may revoke such franchise as to any such town, city, 502
	624	+	borough, district or political subdivision, or any portion thereof, or 503
	625	+	make such other order as may be necessary to provide such service. 504
	626	+	Whenever any person, firm or corporation, incorporated under the 505
	627	+	general statutes or any special act, is granted a franchise to operate as a 506
	628	+	railroad company, as defined in section 13b-199, and fails to provide 507
	629	+	adequate service, or has discontinued the service, on any segment of its 508
	630	+	lines for which such franchise is granted for a period of five years or 509
	631	+	more, the franchise for such segment of line shall cease to exist and shall 510
	632	+	be revoked by the authority for such failure to operate such service or 511
	633	+	discontinuance of service for a period of five years or more. 512
	634	+	Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) Notwithstanding any 513
	635	+	provision of the general statutes, no state agency, as defined in section 514
	636	+	4b-13 of the general statutes, quasi-public agency, as defined in section 515
	637	+	1-120 of the general statutes, or municipality, as defined in section 7-516
	638	+	131q of the general statutes, shall offer a right of first refusal for the 517
	639	+	conveyance of any real property to a public service company, as defined 518
	640	+	in section 16-1 of the general statutes, prior to offering such property for 519
	641	+	general sale. 520
	642	+	Sec. 16. Section 16-19 of the general statutes is amended by adding 521
	643	+	subsection (i) as follows (Effective October 1, 2025): 522
	644	+	(NEW) (i) The authority shall not approve the imposition of any fee 523
	645	+	by a public service company under this section that would discourage 524
	646	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
	647	+
	648	+
	649	+
	650	+	LCO No. 6554 18 of 19
	651	+
	652	+	the adoption of grid-enhancing or energy-efficient technologies. 525
	653	+	Sec. 17. Subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of section 16-245d of the 526
	654	+	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 527
	655	+	thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 528
	656	+	(5) An electric distribution company shall, in accordance with the 529
	657	+	billing format developed by the authority, include the following 530
	658	+	information in each customer's bill: (A) The total amount owed by the 531
	659	+	customer, which shall be itemized using the categories described in 532
	660	+	subdivision (3) of this subsection; (B) any unpaid amounts from 533
	661	+	previous bills which shall be listed separately from current charges; (C) 534
	662	+	except for customers subject to a demand charge, the rate and usage for 535
	663	+	the current month and each of the previous twelve months in the form 536
	664	+	of a bar graph or other visual form; (D) the payment due date; (E) the 537
	665	+	interest rate applicable to any unpaid amount; (F) the toll-free telephone 538
	666	+	number of the electric distribution company to report power losses; (G) 539
	667	+	the toll-free telephone number of the Public Utilities Regulatory 540
	668	+	Authority for questions or complaints; and (H) if a customer has a 541
	669	+	demand of five hundred kilowatts or less during the preceding twelve 542
	670	+	months, a statement about the availability of information concerning 543
	671	+	electric suppliers pursuant to section 16-245p. An electric distribution 544
	672	+	company shall not impose any additional fees other than those set forth 545
	673	+	in this subdivision. 546
559	674		This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
560	675		sections:
561	676
562	677		Section 1 October 1, 2025 1-200(1)
563	678		Sec. 2 October 1, 2025 16-243gg
564		-	Sec. 3 ~~July~~ 1, ~~2026~~ 16-245m(d)(3)
565		-	Sec. 4 ~~July~~ 1, 2025 ~~New section~~
	679	+	Sec. 3 October 1, 2025 16-245m(d)(3)
	680	+	Sec. 4 October 1, 2025 16-2(e)
566	681		Sec. 5 October 1, 2025 16-9
567	682		Sec. 6 October 1, 2025 16-25
568		-	Sec. 7 October 1, 2025 16-2(n)
569		-	Sec. 8 October 1, 2025 16-19(a)
570		-	Sec. 9 October 1, 2025 16-19(g)
571		-	Sec. 10 October 1, 2025 16-47(d)
572		-	Sec. 11 October 1, 2025 New section
573		-	Sec. 12 October 1, 2025 16-10a(a)
	683	+	Sec. 7 October 1, 2025 16-2(k)
	684	+	Sec. 8 October 1, 2025 16-2(g)
	685	+	Sec. 9 October 1, 2025 16-2(n)
	686	+	Raised Bill No. 1531
	687	+
	688	+
	689	+
	690	+	LCO No. 6554 19 of 19
	691	+
	692	+	Sec. 10 October 1, 2025 16-19(a)
	693	+	Sec. 11 October 1, 2025 16-19(g)
	694	+	Sec. 12 October 1, 2025 16-47(d)
574	695		Sec. 13 October 1, 2025 New section
575		-	Sec. 14 October 1, 2025 16-19(i)
576		-	Sec. 15 October 1, 2025 16-245d(a)(5)
	696	+	Sec. 14 October 1, 2025 16-10a(a)
	697	+	Sec. 15 October 1, 2025 New section
	698	+	Sec. 16 October 1, 2025 16-19(i)
	699	+	Sec. 17 October 1, 2025 16-245d(a)(5)
577	700
578		-	GAE Joint Favorable Subst.
	701	+	Statement of Purpose:
	702	+	To (1) deem certain public service companies a public agency for
	703	+	purposes of the Freedom of Information Act and not permit them to
	704	+	recover through rates costs of compliance with said act, (2) subject the
	705	+	Home Energy Solutions program to audit by the Auditors of Public
	706	+	Accounts, (3) modify the expertise and other requirements of utility
	707	+	commissioner appointments and impose revolving door and substantial
	708	+	conflict recusal requirements, (4) modify other processes of the Public
	709	+	Utilities Regulatory Authority, (5) prohibit certain mergers of utility
	710	+	companies, (6) prohibit a utility company from owning both gas and
	711	+	electric utilities, (7) prohibit a public utility company from imposing any
	712	+	fees that would discourage the adoption of grid-enhancing and energy-
	713	+	efficient technologies, (8) prohibit a right of first refusal to acquire
	714	+	property by a utility company, and (9) prohibit deceptive fees to utility
	715	+	end use customers.
	716	+
	717	+	[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
	718	+	that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
	719	+	underlined.]
579	720