Low-Income Energy and Water Advisory Board.

(b) The Low-Income Energy and Water Advisory Board shall advise and assist the Office of Policy and Management and the Department of Social Services in the planning, development, implementation and coordination of energy-assistance-related programs and policies and low-income weatherization assistance programs and policies, shall advise the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection regarding the impact of utility rates and policies, and shall make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding (1) legislation and plans subject to legislative approval, and (2) administration of the block grant program authorized under the Low-Income Energy Assistance Act, as described in section 16a-41a , to ensure affordable access to residential energy services to low-income state residents. (c) The Low-Income Energy and Water Advisory Board may advise and assist the Office of Policy and Management, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in the planning, development, implementation and coordination of water-assistance-related programs and policies, including programs and policies to alleviate the impact of utility rates, and shall make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the availability and implementation of heating and water assistance programs that benefit low-income and moderate-income households, including, but not limited to, the Connecticut Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. (d) The board shall elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its voting members. (e) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, or his or her designee, shall provide notice of meetings to the members of the Low-Income Energy and Water Advisory Board, provide space for such meetings, maintain minutes and publish reports of the board. (f) The Low-Income Energy and Water Advisory Board shall convene and devise recommendations to improve the availability, administration and implementation of heating and water assistance programs, particularly those created to benefit low-income households, through coordination and optimization of existing energy efficiency, water conservation and energy assistance programs. Not later than October 15, 2024, and biennially thereafter, the Low-Income Energy and Water Advisory Board shall report such recommendations, in accordance with section 11-4a , to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy, appropriations and human services.