Substitute Senate Bill No. 384, Public Act No. 24-37, is an act concerning the Low-Income Energy Advisory Board, which is to be renamed the Low-Income Energy and Water Advisory Board, effective July 1, 2024. The bill introduces amendments to the composition of the board and expands its advisory role to include water-assistance-related programs and policies. Notable changes include the addition of "and Water" to the board's name, the replacement of the "executive director" with the "chief executive officer" of Operation Fuel, and the substitution of the executive director of Legal Assistance Resource Center of Connecticut with a representative from Connecticut Legal Services, Inc., Greater Hartford Legal Aid, or the New Haven Legal Assistance Association. Additionally, two representatives of water companies will join the board, and the board's advisory scope is extended to include water assistance programs, particularly the Connecticut Low Income Household Water Assistance Program.

The bill also mandates that the Low-Income Energy and Water Advisory Board convene and devise recommendations to improve the availability, administration, and implementation of heating and water assistance programs. It requires the board to report its recommendations biennially, starting October 15, 2024, to the relevant General Assembly committees. Furthermore, the Commissioner of Social Services must submit each plan or report to the board at least seven days before presenting it to the General Assembly committees. The bill includes provisions for the maintenance of meeting notices, space, minutes, and reports by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection or their designee. The bill was approved on May 21, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
ET Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 350:
Public Act No. 24-37: