What's happening
This bill requires that at least one member of the New York Public Service Commission have experience in utility consumer advocacy.
Why it matters
Strengthens consumer interests. By requiring at least one commissioner with utility consumer advocacy experience, the bill ensures that the Public Service Commission (PSC) is more likely to consider the needs and perspectives of residential and small business customers when making regulatory decisions.
Improves regulatory balance. The presence of a consumer advocate could counterbalance industry or technical expertise on the PSC, possibly leading to decisions that are fairer for consumers rather than favoring utility companies.
Potential for more transparent and equitable policy. Having a commissioner with a background in consumer advocacy may lead to greater transparency in PSC proceedings and policies that better protect vulnerable populations from unfair rate hikes or inadequate service.
Could influence future appointments. The requirement applies to new appointments, meaning future governors and legislatures will need to prioritize consumer advocacy expertise in their selection process, potentially shifting the overall orientation of the commission over time.
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Who cares
Utility consumer advocates
The bill would require at least one Public Service Commission member to have experience in utility consumer advocacy.
Governor’s office
The governor would need to account for the advocacy-experience requirement when making commission appointments covered by the bill.
State Senate
Senators would need to consider the requirement when reviewing commission appointments for advice and consent.
Headline styles
Require Consumer Advocate on Commission
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
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 Consumer Advocate Commissioner
In Assembly Committee · Economic Development · Sponsor Aravella Simotas
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3163
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 20, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GIANARIS, KRUEGER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring at least one commissioner of the public service commission to have experience in utility consumer advocacy
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 4 of the public service law, as amended by chapter 155 of the laws of 1970, is amended to read as follows:
1. There shall be in the department of public service a public service commission, which shall possess the powers and duties hereinafter specified, and also all powers necessary or proper to enable it to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The commission shall consist of five members, to be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate. A commissioner shall be designated as chairman of the commission by the governor to serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the governor or until his term as commissioner expires whichever first occurs. At least one commissioner shall have experience in utility consumer advocacy. No more than three commissioners may be members of the same political party unless, pursuant to action taken under subdivision two, the number of commissioners shall exceed five, and in such event no more than four commissioners may be members of the same political party.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law and shall apply to appointments made on or after such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04535-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring at least one commissioner of the public service commission to have experience in utility consumer advocacy
Purpose or general idea of bill
By requiring that at least one member of the Public Service Commission must be an experienced consumer advocate, this bill will help restore the effectiveness of that body in ensuring that public utilities operate in the best interest of the public.
Summary of specific provisions
Bill § 1 amends subdivision 1 of § 4 of the Public Service to add a requirement that at least one commissioner of the Public Service Commission (PSC) must have experience in utility consumer advocacy.
Effects of present law which this bill would alter
Other than provisions for political party balance, there are currently no statutory standards for appointments to the PSC. This stands in marked contrast to statutes in many other states, which provide various mechanisms for determining qualifications for utility regulators -including requirements in two of our neighboring states that at least one commissioner must have experience in consumer protection and advocacy.
Justification
The Public Service Commission is responsible for overseeing the operations of "public utilities" -- providers of energy, telecommunications and cable services that provide essential services through the use of public rights-of-way and similar common resources. It has long been recognized that, as was stated by then-Governor Franklin Roosevelt in 1932, the PSC is not a "mere arbitrator" but acts "as agent of the public" in seeing that utilities "do two things: first, give people adequate service; second, charge reasonable rates...."
In recent years, many people believe that the PSC has strayed from its core mission of ensuring consumers receive adequate service at reasonable rates. To rectify this situation, this legislation would require that at least one PSC commissioner must have experience in advocating for the interests of utility consumers. This provision is already in force in the State of Connecticut (C.O.S. 516-2). Another of our neighbors, Massachusetts, similarly requires that one of its commissioners must have a background and experience in consumer protection and advocacy issues (Mass. Gen. Laws title 25, 52). Placing a dedicated consumer representative on the PSC will help ensure that the interests of working families, small businesses and other rate payers are not subordinated to the interests of public utilities and other commercial interests that are already well-represented in PSC proceedings.
Prior legislative history
2016: Died in Energy and Telecommunications 2015: Died in Energy and Telecommunications 2014: Died in Energy and Telecommunications 2013: Senate Bill602 (Gianaris) - Died in Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee 2012: Senate Bill 2517 (Gianaris) - Died in Senate Rules Committee 2012: Assembly Bill 4905 (Simotas) - Died in Assembly Economic Development Committee 2010: Assembly Bill 8406 (Gianaris) - Died in Assembly Economic Development Committee
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
Thirtieth day after becoming law, and will apply to any appointments to the PSC made on or after such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.