What's happening
This bill requires legislative approval by majority vote for any proposed increases in utility rates or charges in New York.
Why it matters
Adds a layer of public accountability. By requiring the legislature to approve utility rate hikes, the bill shifts decision-making power from regulatory commissions to elected representatives, making increases in charges more directly accountable to voters.
Increases transparency of utility finances. Utilities must submit detailed written reports justifying any proposed rate increase, including their financial condition, giving lawmakers (and potentially the public) a clearer view of the reasons behind higher rates.
Could slow or complicate rate changes. The need for legislative approval and a 180-day advance notice may delay the implementation of necessary rate adjustments, potentially affecting utilities' ability to respond quickly to financial or infrastructure needs.
Expands legislative oversight. The legislature (or its committees) can request any additional information they deem necessary, increasing their oversight over utilities and potentially leading to more thorough scrutiny of rate proposals.
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 Approval for Utility Hikes
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
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.
Requires legislative approval of increases in utility charges
In Assembly Committee · Energy · Sponsor Angelo Santabarbara
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1498
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 15, 2019
Introduced by Sens. TEDISCO, PARKER -- 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 legislative approval of increases in utility charges
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "utility ratepayer protection act".
§ 2. Subdivision 12 of section 66 of the public service law is amended by adding a new paragraph (b-1) to read as follows:
(b-1) No change shall be made in any rate or charge, which shall have been filed by a utility in compliance with an order of the commission, without the consent of both houses of the legislature by a majority vote in each house. The utility shall submit a written report to the legislature at least one hundred eighty days prior to the date when any proposed increase in fees, rentals and charges for the provision of services by the utility is scheduled to take effect. Such report shall include justification for the proposed increase, and information setting forth the current financial condition of the utility. The legislature may require any additional data or information that it deems necessary. If the legislature, or the appropriate committees thereof, finds that the proposed increases are not necessary to produce sufficient revenue to meet the expense of the provision of services, including the maintenance and operation of infrastructure, then no proposed increase shall take effect until approved by a majority vote of each house of the legislature.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06459-01-9
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 legis- lative approval of increases in utility charges
Purpose or general idea of bill
To require in addition to the consent of the Public Service Commission, Legislative approval before implementing increases in fees, rentals and charges for the furnishing or rendition of gas or electric power.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "utility ratepayer protection act".
§ 2. Subdivision 12 of section 66 of the public service law is amended by adding a new paragraph (b-1) to read as follows:
(b-1) No change shall be made in any rate or charge, which shall have been filed by a utility in compliance with an order of the commission, without the consent of both houses of the legislature by a majority vote in each house. The utility shall submit a written report to the legisla- ture at least one hundred eighty days prior to the date when any proposed increase in fees, rentals and charges for the provision of services by the utility is scheduled to take effect. Such report shall include justification for the proposed increase, and information setting forth the current financial condition of the utility. The legislature may require any additional data or information that it deems necessary. If the legislature or the appropriate committees thereof, finds that the proposed increases are not necessary to produce sufficient revenue to meet the expense of the provision of services, including the maintenance and operation of infrastructure, then no proposed increase shall take effect until approved by a majority vote of each house of the legisla- ture.
Justification
A recent proposal made by National Grid to hike its electricity and natural gas rates by a whopping 14 percent has drawn a firestorm of opposition from New Yorkers who already pay the 7th highest energy costs in the nation.
While the Public Service Commission is charged with assuring consumers are not subject to excessive rate hikes, they are not accountable to the voters who ultimately pay for these essential services in an industry bereft of free market competition and choice.
Currently, these increases are not subject to ratification, and this bill would provide a much-needed extra layer of protection for ratepay- ers here in New York State.
Prior legislative history
09/06/17: S.6869 REFERRED TO RULES
01/03/18: 5.6869 REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.