AN ACT REQUIRING LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL OF THE COMBINED PUBLIC BENEFITS CHARGE.

HB 5678 requires the Connecticut General Assembly to approve any charge included in the "Combined Public Benefits Charge" on electric bills before it can be added. This bill directly affects electric distribution companies and their end-use customers by preventing companies from including such charges on bills without legislative consent. The key provision removes any existing unapproved components of this charge and mandates that future charges can only be implemented after a vote by the full General Assembly. This policy change shifts authority from utility regulators to the legislature for this specific billing element.