Bill > HB05404

This bill proposes significant reforms to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), a state agency responsible for overseeing utility services. The bill requires that PURA's membership be bipartisan, with three members from the majority party and two from the minority party, and mandates that vacancies be filled by appointments from the Senate president pro tempore and the House speaker. It stipulates that any hearing assigned by the chairperson must include a minority party member, and that PURA be separated administratively from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The bill also prohibits ex parte communications between PURA members and governmental representatives, allows electric distribution companies to recover reasonably anticipated costs in rate cases, and requires both legislative chambers to approve any moratorium on electrical service shutoffs due to customer hardship. Additionally, PURA is prevented from issuing final determinations on any docket until all vacancies are filled, and the chairperson must provide administrative support for each authority member. The overall aim is to enhance PURA's independence, bipartisanship, and operational transparency.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05404&which_year=2025