Requires public utility companies to charge volunteer ambulance corps and volunteer fire companies the same rates and charges applicable to residential customers

6 Co-sponsors

• Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
• John J. Bonacic
• Thomas Croci
• John A. DeFrancisco
• Robert Ortt
• Marc Panepinto

BILL NUMBER:S2534

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 of provisions

Section 1 amends the Public Service Law by adding a new section 116-a allowing certain volunteer organizations to be treated as individual customers and provides that no public utility company may charge such a volunteer organization a fee not otherwise chargeable to an individual residential customer.

Section 2 amends section 66 of the Public Service Law by adding a new subdivision 29 provides that revenue forgone by an electric corporation as a result of charging volunteer organizations domestic consumer raters may not be recovered from customers of such corporation.

Existing law

Presently, public utilities have the option of charging volunteer ambulance corps and volunteer fire companies commercial utility rates, and often do so.

Justification

Volunteer ambulance corps and fire companies provide essential services to communities. As a matter of public policy these volunteer organizations should enjoy the lowest fees, rates, and charges available. Instead, current law provides for public utilities' discretion in choosing whether to charge volunteer organizations residential or commercial rates. However, public utility companies are statutorily required to charge other organizations, including veteran organizations, religious bodies, and community residences at the residential rate. Volunteer emergency services must also receive the reduced residential rates.

The increase costs of utility services places an unnecessary burden on these public servants. In rural counties throughout the state, most emergency services are provided by volunteers. These organizations simply cannot afford to pay high utility rates. This legislation requires public utility companies to charge volunteer fire companies and volunteer ambulance corps the same rates, charges, and fees afforded to residential customers. Any revenue lost from the reduced rate may not be recovered by public utilities by diverting costs to other customers. This legislation provides the necessary rate reduction in utility costs that help these emergency organizations continue to serve their communities.

Legislative history

2013-2014: S.1947 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications; 2011-2012: S.5520 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications / A.3561 Referred to Corporation, Authorities and Commissions; 2010: S.3470 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications / A.4721 Referred to Corporation, Authorities and Commissions; 2008: S.5059-A Passed Senate / A.4636-B Referred to Corporation, Authorities and Commissions; 2006: S.3032 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications / A.3422 Referred to Corporation, Authorities and Commissions; 2004: A.976 Referred to Corporation, Authorities and Commissions; 2001-2002: S.798 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications / A.2969 Referred to Corporation, Authorities and Commissions; 1999-2000: S.95 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications / A. 4174 Passed Assembly; 1997-1998: S.5114-A Referred to Energy and Telecommunications / A.5601-A Referred to Codes; 1995-1996: S.838 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications / A.1335 Referred to Energy

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after is shall have become a law.