What's happening
This bill allows utility companies to require applicants to provide personal identification, such as photo ID or official documents, when requesting service.
Why it matters
Could increase barriers to accessing essential utility services. for people who lack government-issued photo ID or formal documentation (such as low-income individuals, undocumented immigrants, or people experiencing homelessness).
Aims to prevent fraud and unauthorized utility account openings. by ensuring applicants provide proof of identity and address, potentially reducing unpaid bills and identity theft.
May impact privacy concerns. since applicants would be required to share sensitive personal information (like photo IDs or bank statements) with utility companies, raising questions about data protection.
Could slow down or complicate the process of getting utility service. for some applicants, especially those in urgent need, if they have difficulty gathering the required documents.
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
Residential gas and electric applicants
They could be required to show personal identification, such as a current valid photo ID or a document showing their name and address, when requesting service.
Gas and electric corporations
The bill would expressly allow identification requests for residential service applicants and list examples of acceptable documents.
Municipal utility providers
Municipalities providing residential gas or electric service would also be covered by the applicant identification provision.
Headline styles
Require ID for Utility Service
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
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.
Require ID for Utility Service
In Senate Committee · Energy And Telecommunications · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 4115 A. 4794
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
February 3, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to providing applicant identification for applications of service
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 31 of the public service law, as added by chapter 713 of the laws of 1981, is amended to read as follows:
1. Every gas corporation, electric corporation or municipality shall provide residential service upon the oral or written request of an applicant, provided that the commission may require that requests for service be in writing under circumstances as it deems necessary and proper as set forth by regulation, and provided further that the applicant:
(a) makes full payment for residential utility service provided to a prior account in his or her name; or
(b) agrees to make payments under a deferred payment plan of any amounts due for service to a prior account in his or her name and makes a down payment based on criteria to be established by the commission. No such down payment shall exceed one-half of any money due from an applicant for residential utility service, or three months average billing, whichever is less; or
(c) is a recipient of public assistance, supplemental security income or additional state payments pursuant to the social services law, or is an applicant for such assistance, income or payments, and the utility corporation or the municipality receives payment from, or is notified of the applicant's eligibility for utility payments by the social services
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04115-01-7
S. 4115 2 A. 4794
official of the social services district in which such person resides for amounts due for service to a prior account in the applicant's name, together with guarantee of future payments to the extent authorized by the social services law; or
(d) may be required to show proper personal identification such as a current and valid photo identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the applicant.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.