NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A2004
SPONSOR: Slater TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring public
hearings on increases in utility charges
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Requires public hearings on increases in utility charges
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
In any case in which the commission will be determining whether any
increased rate, fee, rental, or charge imposed by a utility company will
occur, the commission shall, at least ninety days prior to the date when
such increase is to be decided on, hold a public hearing within the area
where such increase is proposed. Such public hearing shall include
public comments and allow for members of the public to ask questions of
the commission and the utility related to such increase.
JUSTIFICATION:
Recently, the New York State Public Service Commission approved a 30%
electricity rate increase over the next three years. Despite efforts by
local public officials there was no in-person public hearing within the
impacted area. This is a major flaw in the Public Service Commission's
decision making process and must be corrected to ensure the proper tran-
sparency for ratepayers.
This legislation will require the Public Service Commission to hold a
public hearing within the impacted service territory when a rate
increase is being requested by a utility company.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: A.8356
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
2004
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SLATER, BEEPHAN, BRABENEC, MAHER -- read once and
referred to the Committee on Energy
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring public
hearings on increases in utility charges
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 12 of section 66 of the public service law is
2 amended by adding a new paragraph (m) to read as follows:
3 (m) In any case in which the commission will be determining whether
4 any increased rate, fee, rental, or charge imposed by a utility will
5 occur, the commission shall, at least ninety days prior to the date when
6 such increase is to be decided on, hold a public hearing within the area
7 where such increase is proposed. Such public hearing shall include
8 public comments and allow for members of the public to ask questions of
9 the commission and the utility related to such increase.
10 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
11 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
12 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
13 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
14 on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01597-01-5
