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- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Companion bill
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Requires public utility companies to charge volunteer ambulance corps and volunteer fire companies the same rates and charges applicable to residential customers
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Joseph Morelle
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5520
Title of bill
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to charges or fees on volunteer ambulance corps and volunteer fire companies in certain cases
Purpose
Requires public utility companies to charge volunteer ambulance corps and volunteer fire departments the same rates and charges applicable to residential customers.
Summary
Section 1 amends the Public Service Law by adding a new section 116-a allowing certain volunteer organizations to be treated as individual customers. Presently, public utilities have the option of charging volunteer ambulance corps and volunteer fire companies commercial rates and often do so.
Section 2 amends section 66 of the Public Service Law by adding a new subdivision 29. This bill amends the public service law to require public utility companies to charge these volunteer organizations the same rates as residential customers.
Justification
Volunteer ambulance corps and volunteer fire companies provide essential services to the community. As a matter of public policy, volunteer ambulance corps and volunteer fire departments should be granted the lowest fees, rates, and charges.
Currently, public utilities have the option of charging volunteer ambulance corps and volunteer fire departments commercial rates. In other sections of the Public Services Law veteran organizations, religious bodies and community residences are billed a lower residential rate. It is appropriate that volunteer emergency services receive residential rates as well.
The increase cost of utility services places an unnecessary burden on these public servants. In rural counties throughout the state, most of the emergency services are volunteer and cannot afford to pay high utility rates.
This legislation will require public utility companies to charge volunteer fire companies and volunteer ambulance corps the same rates, charges, etc. applicable to residential customers for the same services. In addition, it prohibits recovery of revenue lost there from, from being recovered from ratepayers.
Legislative history
S.3470 of 2010 - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications S.5059 of 2008 - Passed Senate S.3032 of 2006 - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
60 days after it becomes law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.