Rep. Bolinsky: Oct. 1st New laws
Several new laws will take effect October 1st. An expanded list of those that will take effect on October 1, 2023, along with summaries, can be accessed here.
A summary of some new laws include:
AN ACT STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS FOR CONNECTICUT’S CONSUMERS OF ENERGY
When power outages last for more than four days after an emergency, electric distribution companies must provide residential customers with a $25 account credit for each day without power and $250 for any food or medication that expires or spoils as a result of the outage. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority may grant electric distribution companies waivers from the compensation requirements under certain conditions. The bill also includes rate-decoupling, settlement reform, bill re-design (so rate-payers know where the costs on a bill come from), and new factors for PURA when considering a rate case; as well as prohibits cost recovery in rates of costs associated with lobbying, advertising, membership dues, etc., requires an independent study of the DEEP/PURA relationship, and adds more forms of hydro and nuclear power as Class 1 energy sources.
AN ACT CONCERNING FIREARMS AND STREET TAKEOVERS
This new law will make it a crime for people — even bystanders — to post information on social media in advance of so-called street takeovers in which dozens or hundreds of motor vehicles descend on a designated neighborhood, clogging traffic, speeding and performing dangerous stunts. The law also expands the definition of a street takeover by including the “intent to cause disorder or create a nuisance.”
AN ACT ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE
Among other measures, this makes commission of a family violence crime or federal misdemeanor crime of domestic violence into an automatic disqualifier for having a pistol permit, and adds commission of such a crime as a qualifier for criminal possession of a firearm.
Other major acts include: