Substitute Senate Bill No. 421 aims to address the issue of double utility poles by establishing new reporting and compliance requirements for public utility pole owners and users, effective October 1, 2026. The bill defines "public utility pole" and "double utility poles," and mandates that pole owners or their agents provide written notice to users regarding any removal and replacement work. Users must transfer their equipment to replacement poles within fifteen days of receiving notice, or the pole owner may complete the transfer and charge the user for the work. Civil penalties of up to $100 may be imposed for violations, with certain exceptions.

Additionally, the bill requires utility pole owners to maintain a list of double utility poles that have existed for at least thirty days and mandates their elimination by October 1, 2027. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is tasked with enforcing these provisions and may adopt regulations to implement the bill. The penalties collected will be directed to the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline utility pole management and enhance safety by reducing the number of double utility poles in the state.