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
Ensures consumer perspectives are represented. By requiring at least one commissioner with utility consumer advocacy experience, the bill aims to strengthen the focus on consumer needs and protections in utility regulation.
Potential shift in policy outcomes. Having a commissioner with a consumer advocacy background could influence commission decisions on rates, service quality, and utility accountability, potentially leading to more consumer-friendly outcomes.
Brings specialized expertise to the commission. Utility consumer advocates are typically familiar with complex billing, service, and equity issues, which could improve the commission’s ability to assess the real-world impact of regulatory decisions.
May increase public trust in utility oversight. Mandating consumer advocacy experience can help reassure the public that their interests are actively considered, potentially boosting confidence in the fairness and effectiveness of the Public Service Commission.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Require Consumer Advocate Commissioner
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
2 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to economic development
- Referred to economic development
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 Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Michael Gianaris
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
966
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. SIMOTAS, COLTON -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ABINANTI, GOTTFRIED -- read once and referred to the Committee on Economic Development
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 of this section, 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.
LBD01495-01-9
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.