What's happening
This bill makes it a class B misdemeanor to unlawfully install a gas meter without proper authorization or permits.
Why it matters
Targets both installers and property owners. The bill holds not just the person who physically installs the gas meter, but also property owners accountable if they know or should reasonably know that a gas meter was installed unlawfully. This expands liability and encourages property owners to ensure proper compliance.
Defines 'unlawful installation' broadly. Only utility corporations regulated by the Public Service Commission, or those with specific permits, are authorized to install gas meters. This closes loopholes for unlicensed contractors or individuals, aiming to reduce tampering, unsafe installations, and potential fraud.
Public safety and fraud prevention. By criminalizing unauthorized gas meter installation, the bill seeks to address safety hazards (e.g., risk of leaks, explosions) and utility theft. It places greater emphasis on proper oversight and regulatory compliance in gas service delivery.
Immediate impact. The law would take effect as soon as it is enacted, signaling urgency around preventing unauthorized or unsafe gas meter installations and ensuring safer utility infrastructure statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make Illegal Gas Meters Crime
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to codes
- Print number 1957a
- Amend (t) and recommit to codes
- Referred to codes
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.
Ban Illegal Gas Meter Installs
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Roxanne J. Persaud
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1957--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 18, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to unlawfully installing a gas meter
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 270.40 to read as follows: § 270.40 Unlawfully installing a gas meter.
1. As used in this section "gas meter" means any gas meter that measures usage of any end use customer of gas services.
2. A person is guilty of unlawfully installing a gas meter when he or she installs the gas meter or is the owner of the premises where the meter is unlawfully installed and knows or reasonably should know that such gas meter was unlawfully installed. A gas meter is unlawfully installed when it is installed by any person other than a person acting on behalf of a utility corporation subject to the jurisdiction of the public service commission, unless such person has received a permit to install the gas meter from the appropriate permitting authority.
Unlawfully installing a gas meter is a class B misdemeanor.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00862-03-9
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.