SB 421 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING REPORTING OF DOUBLE UTILITY POLES.

This bill creates a public reporting system for double utility poles, which are two poles located within six feet of each other due to incomplete replacement work. It requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to launch an online reporting platform by July 1, 2026, where any person can submit reports with location details and photographs. The commissioner will compile quarterly lists of these reports and share them with electric distribution companies, telephone companies, and municipal electric utilities starting October 31, 2027. The legislation defines specific utility pole types and establishes clear timelines for implementing the reporting infrastructure.

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 5, 2026 Last action Apr 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → ET Joint Favorable Substitute · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' with significant substantive changes. The original version required the state energy commissioner to build a public reporting system for 'double utility poles,' while the new version shifts responsibility to utility owners to notify equipment users before work begins. The new text also adds specific penalties for failing to transfer equipment or remove old poles and directs penalty fines to fund social services.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a state-administered reporting program to a direct regulatory requirement for utility owners to manage pole replacements and notify users.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for the state to create an electronic reporting system for double utility poles.

Added a mandate for pole owners to give 72-hour written notice to users before planned work or immediately after unplanned emergency work.

Required utility owners to remove old poles and transfer their own equipment within 15 days after users complete their transfers.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'User' to clarify who must transfer equipment and who is exempt (e.g., municipalities).

Updated the definition of 'Public utility pole' to include portions of poles and removed 'municipal electric utility' from the list of owners.

ENFORCEMENT

Established civil penalties of up to $100 per day for users or utility owners who fail to transfer equipment or remove old poles on time.

FISCAL

Directed that all collected civil penalties be remitted to the Commissioner of Social Services for the energy assistance program.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Energy and Technology

upper

33 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role

Legislator

Party

State

District

Amy Morrin Bello

DDemocratic/Working Families

Ben McGorty