What's happening
This bill proposes that public service commissioners in New York be elected rather than appointed, as prescribed by law.
Why it matters
Shifting to elections for public service commissioners could increase their accountability to voters. , potentially making the commission more responsive to public concerns about utility regulation, energy policy, and rate-setting.
This change would likely reduce the governor’s influence over the state’s energy and utility regulatory body. , possibly altering the balance of power in how utility policy is made and implemented in New York.
Elected commissioners may campaign on specific issues (like renewable energy, consumer protections, or utility rates). , which could bring more public attention and debate to critical regulatory decisions that affect every New Yorker’s electricity, gas, water, and telecommunications services.
The method and timing of these elections would be determined by future legislative action. , adding an additional layer of public and political input into the process of selecting those who oversee essential infrastructure and services.
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
Elect Public Service Commissioners
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
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.
Elect Public Service Commissioners
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor David Carlucci
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8714
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
October 5, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 4 of article 5 of the constitution, in relation to election of public service commissioners
Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That section 4 of article 5 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
§ 4. The head of the department of audit and control shall be the comptroller and of the department of law, the attorney-general. The head of the department of education shall be The Regents of the University of the State of New York, who shall appoint and at pleasure remove a commissioner of education to be the chief administrative officer of the department. The head of the department of agriculture and markets shall be appointed in a manner to be prescribed by law. The commissioners of public service shall be elected in a manner to be prescribed by law. Except as otherwise provided in this constitution, the heads of all other departments and the members of all boards and commissions, excepting temporary commissions for special purposes, shall be appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate and may be removed by the governor, in a manner to be prescribed by law.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89028-01-7
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.