What's happening
This bill requires independent audits of private water utility companies before and after rate changes, with audit results published online.
Why it matters
Increases transparency and accountability. By mandating independent third-party audits before and after any rate or contract change, the bill aims to ensure that private water utilities cannot make unjustified changes without external scrutiny.
Helps protect consumers from unfair rate hikes. The required audits may deter utilities from proposing unnecessary or excessive rate increases, as they must justify changes with evidence reviewed by an independent party.
Public access to audit findings. By requiring audit results to be published online, the bill empowers the public, journalists, and advocacy groups to review and analyze utility practices, promoting trust and public oversight.
Potential for improved utility performance. Knowing their operations will be reviewed before and after changes could encourage utilities to maintain higher standards of service and financial management.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Audit Private Water Rates
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
6 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Held for consideration in corporations, authorities and commissions
- Print number 8740a
- Amend (t) and recommit to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- 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.
Audit Private Water Rate Hikes
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Carl L. Marcellino
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8740--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
October 25, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. MONTESANO, LAVINE, RA, M. G. MILLER, McDONOUGH, ABINANTI, PELLEGRINO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BRABENEC -read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions -- recommitted to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring the public service commission retain an independent auditor to conduct audits of private water utility companies prior to and after rate changes are approved by the public service commission
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 10 of section 89-c of the public service law is amended by adding a new paragraph (b-1) to read as follows:
(b-1) Prior to the approval by the commission of a change by a private water utility company in any rate or charge, or in any form of contract or agreement or any rule or regulation relating to any rate, charge or service, or in any general privilege or facility, the commissioner shall retain a third-party auditor to conduct an audit of such private water utility company and provide his or her findings to the commission in writing. The third-party auditor shall not be affiliated with the commission or with any member of the public service commission. In the event of approval by the commission of any such change by a private water utility company in rate or charge, or in any form of contract or agreement or any rule or regulation relating to any rate, charge or service, or in any general privilege or facility, the independent auditor shall conduct a second audit of the private water utility company one year after the change takes effect. The commission shall publish the results of all such audits on its website.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13441-04-8
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.