Senate Bill No. 78 seeks to improve local representation on the Connecticut Siting Council by modifying its structure and procedures. The bill repeals Section 16-50j of the general statutes and introduces new provisions that require the council to include a local elector from the municipality where a proposed facility is to be located, appointed by the municipality's chief elected official. In cases where the facility spans multiple municipalities, the regional council of governments will appoint the elector. These local representatives will serve as nonvoting members and must follow confidentiality rules. The bill also updates the compensation for public members of the council, allowing them to receive $200 per activity, capped at $200 per day.

Additionally, the bill makes significant deletions and substitutions in existing law, particularly in subsection (b) of section 16-50l, which outlines application requirements for the council. It removes references to previous provisions regarding ad hoc members and the determination of the most affected municipality, replacing them with clearer guidelines for local representation. The bill mandates that applications must include proof of service to various stakeholders and requires public notice to be published effectively to inform the public about proposed facilities. Furthermore, it maintains the existing composition of the council while ensuring that public members have relevant ecological experience and are free from conflicts of interest. The bill received a favorable report from the Environment Committee, indicating strong support for its objectives.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 16-50j
ENV Joint Favorable: 16-50j
File No. 95: 16-50j