What's happening
This bill changes the quorum requirements for the New York Public Service Commission to be based on the total required membership, not just appointed commissioners.
Why it matters
Redefines what counts as a quorum. By basing the quorum on the total number of required commission members (not just those currently appointed), the bill makes it harder for the Public Service Commission (PSC) to conduct official business if there are vacancies, potentially slowing down decision-making.
Raises the stakes of vacancies. Any unfilled seats on the PSC now directly impact the commission’s ability to meet and act, increasing pressure on the Governor and legislature to promptly fill vacancies to maintain PSC functionality.
Impacts oversight of utilities and rate cases. Since the PSC oversees issues like utility rates, reliability, and consumer protections, the change could affect how quickly and effectively the commission responds to utility issues, especially during periods when not all positions are filled.
Shifts leverage in political appointments. This amendment could give more influence to those involved in nominating and confirming commissioners, as delays or disputes over appointments would have a more immediate effect on the PSC’s ability to act.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Change Quorum Definition
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by S5430
- Advanced to third reading cal.390
- Reported
- 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.
Change Quorum Rules
Vetoed · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2363
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. DINOWITZ, DE LA ROSA, GALEF -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to the minimum requirements for a quorum
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 11 of the public service law, as amended by chapter 371 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows:
§ 11. Quorum; powers of a commissioner. A majority of the [duly appointed commissioners] total number of members of the commission, as such membership is required pursuant to section four of this article shall constitute a quorum and not less than a majority of such [commissioners] total number of members concurring may transact any business, perform any duty or exercise any power of the commission. The commission may hold meetings of the commission at any time or place within the state. Any investigation, inquiry or hearing which the commission has power to undertake or to hold may be undertaken or held by or before any commissioner or before any specially authorized officer or employee of the commission, provided that at least one commissioner shall hold at least one public hearing without delegation of authority to any specially authorized hearing officer or employee when such hearings are mandated by applications for rate increases. All investigations, inquiries, hearings and decisions of a commissioner or specially authorized officer or employee shall be and be deemed to be the investigations, inquiries, hearings and decisions of the commission and every order made by a commissioner, when approved and confirmed by the commission and ordered filed in its office, shall be and be deemed to be the order of the commission.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01327-01-9
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.