What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to require that New York public service commissioners be elected rather than appointed.
Why it matters
Shifts accountability of public service commissioners directly to voters. , potentially making commissioners more responsive to public concerns about utilities, energy regulation, and consumer protection.
Reduces the governor’s power over utility oversight. , as commissioners would no longer be appointed by the executive branch and confirmed by the senate, but instead chosen via elections.
Could change the priorities and backgrounds of commissioners. , since elected officials may have to campaign and appeal to public interests rather than being selected for technical expertise or appointed through political negotiation.
May increase political influence and campaign spending in regulatory matters. , as candidates for commissioner positions would need to run election campaigns, potentially introducing new stakeholders and interests into public service oversight.
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Who cares
Public service commissioners
The proposed constitutional amendment would make their positions elected offices, in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Governor and state senators
Electing public service commissioners would replace the governor’s appointment and Senate confirmation roles for those positions.
State lawmakers
They would be responsible for prescribing by law how public service commissioners are elected.
Headline styles
Elect Utility 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
8580
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
September 13, 2019
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.
LBD89061-01-9
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.