What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Directs New York state energy research and development authority to study the best technologies to enable blind and visually impaired to read utility meters
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Robert Sweeney
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to direct the New York state energy research and development authority to study and report upon the best technology to enable blind and visually impaired utility customers to read their meters; and to amend the public service law, in relation to directing the public service commission to promulgate rules and regulations requiring the implementation of such technologies by utilities
Purpose
To direct the New York state energy research and development authority to study the best technologies to enable the blind and visually impaired to read utility meters.
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill directs the New York state energy research and development authority (NYSERDA) to study and evaluate the best existing technologies and equipment that could be implemented by utilities and municipalities that would allow blind and visually impaired customers to determine actual meter readings.
Section 2 of the bill requires NYSERDA, within 180 days of the effective date, to issue a report on the findings of its study and evaluation and to make recommendations to the governor, public service commission (PSC) and legislature.
Section 3 of the bill adds section 39-a to the Public Service Law to direct the PSC to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the recommendations of the report.
Section 4 of the bill is the effective date.
Existing law
None.
Justification
The blind and visually impaired do not currently have the ability to determine actual water, electric and/or gas meter readings. This bill would require NYSERDA to undertake a study and evaluation of the best existing technologies and equipment which could be utilized by utility companies and municipalities that would allow their blind and visually impaired customers to determine actual meter readings.
Legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Local fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This Act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.