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HB 6048 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING REFUNDS FOR UNUSED HEATING FUEL.

HB 6048 requires heating fuel dealers to refund consumers for unused heating fuel when service ends, paying the lesser of what the consumer paid or the current market price. It also mandates that contracts for heating fuel tanks (both above and underground) include a clear, conspicuous option for consumers to purchase the tank and equipment at a fixed, non-increasing price at any time during the contract term. These provisions apply directly to residential consumers using propane or oil heating and to heating fuel dealers providing contracts or tank leases. The bill sets maximum contract terms (36 months for above-ground tanks, 5 years for underground) and prohibits unfair restrictions on switching providers without explicit consumer acknowledgment.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Last action Feb 21, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Proposed Bill → Committee Bill · 10 edits
MAJOR
The bill was renamed from 'Refunds for Unused Propane' to 'Refunds for Unused Heating Fuel' to broaden its applicability beyond just propane to all heating fuels. The committee version significantly expanded the regulatory framework by adding detailed requirements for written contracts, including maximum contract terms, refund calculations, and specific provisions for underground and above-ground tanks. It also introduced new consumer protections such as options to purchase tanks at commercially reasonable prices and restrictions on contract terms longer than 36 months for above-ground tanks.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from specifically addressing propane retailers to covering all heating fuel dealers and their associated tank rental or loan arrangements.
SCOPE

Title and subject matter changed from 'propane' to 'heating fuel' to apply to all heating fuel types.

REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory written contract requirements with specific terms, fees, and conditions for all heating fuel dealers.

Established maximum contract term limits of 36 months for above-ground tanks and 5 years for underground tanks.

Required dealers to offer consumers an option to enter into 18-month contracts and prohibited contract terms longer than 36 months for above-ground tanks.

Mandated refund calculations based on the lesser of purchase price or market price for unused heating fuel upon contract termination.

Added consumer option to purchase tanks at commercially reasonable prices during contract term for both underground and above-ground tanks.

Required clear and conspicuous initialing of statements regarding tank purchase options and non-compete restrictions.

Specified that liquidated damages cannot exceed actual damages caused by consumer breach of contract.

Added requirement for dealers to remove tanks within 30 days after service discontinuation.

DEFINITION

Changed terminology from 'propane retailer' to 'heating fuel dealer' throughout the act.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Feb 20, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE
lower
Jan 22, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.