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S4192Senate2009-2010 SessionSame asA3639

Requires utility corporations, energy service companies, municipalities, telephone corporations and cable television companies to provide large print versions of billing information

Sponsor Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.SD-15Affects Environment & Energy
Status
Senate Floor Calendar
Impact
Pending
Outcome
Companion signed

Bill progress

Signed via A3639

What's happening

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Who cares

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.

Senator · Senate District 15

No co-sponsors yet.

History

  1. Substituted by A3639C
  2. Ordered to third reading cal.887
  3. Committee discharged and committed to rules
  4. Print number 4192b
  5. Amend and recommit to energy and telecommunications
  6. Print number 4192a
  7. Amend (t) and recommit to energy and telecommunications
  8. Referred to energy and telecommunications

Companion bill

Full text

The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.

Sponsor's memo

Title of bill

An act to amend the public service law and the general business law, in relation to requiring utility corporations, energy service companies, municipalities, telephone corporations and cable television companies to provide large-print versions of billing statements upon request by the consumer

Purpose

To require that telephone, cable, utility, and municipal bills be offered in a larger font size, in electronic and paper format, to accommodate visually impaired and elderly customers.

Summary of provisions

This legislation amends section 44 of the public service law by adding subdivision 5, adds section 399-zz to the general business law, and adds section 224-b to the public service law.

Justification

Bills for services provided are often written in small print, especially added fees and charges, making understanding the charges complicated and difficult. Some of my constituents have expressed a desire to receive bills highlighting the charges in a larger font size so they are able to fully understand their bills. This legislation does not mandate that companies immediately change their billing systems. Instead, it requires that these companies make this new service available to customers who send a written request for larger font bills.

Legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect April 1 ,2010; provided however, that this act shall not apply to any utility corporation, energy services company, municipality, telephone corporation, or cable television company that services less than 50,000 customers in the state until November 1, 2010; provided, however that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.