The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5355, aims to update the fuel pricing standards within the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Connecticut. The bill repeals the existing subsection (b) of section 16a-41a and replaces it with new provisions that require the Commissioner of Social Services to implement a program for purchasing deliverable fuel for low-income households. Key changes include the removal of the requirement for establishing county and regional pricing standards, and the introduction of a system where fuel providers are reimbursed based on prices publicly posted by the commissioner on the Department of Social Services' website on the date of delivery.

Additionally, the bill mandates that starting from November 1, 2025, the commissioner must establish new pricing standards that ensure fair compensation for fuel vendors while maximizing funding for program recipients. The commissioner is also required to include these new pricing standards in the annual plan for the program by August 1, 2025. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of fuel assistance for low-income households in Connecticut.