Senate Bill 858 proposes the creation of a new statute, 196.376, which mandates the Public Service Commission to establish a program allowing public utilities to finance energy improvements for residential customers. This program would enable utilities to recover the costs associated with these energy improvements through a surcharge that would be periodically added to the customer's utility account.

The bill also grants the Public Service Commission the authority to promulgate rules necessary for the implementation of this program. This initiative aims to facilitate energy efficiency upgrades in residential dwellings, potentially leading to reduced energy consumption and lower utility costs for consumers over time.