What's happening
This bill requires New York utilities to offer reduced electric and gas rates to furloughed or unpaid federal employees during federal government funding lapses.
Why it matters
Protects financially vulnerable federal workers. By mandating reduced utility rates for furloughed or unpaid federal employees during government shutdowns, the bill aims to prevent sudden financial hardship, helping affected workers maintain essential services in times of lost income.
Spreads out the financial impact. The bill specifically states that the cost of these rate reductions cannot be borne solely by any single customer class, meaning the financial burden will be distributed across different utility customer groups rather than concentrated, reducing the risk of steep rate hikes for any one group.
Requires clear eligibility and outreach. The legislation directs the Public Service Commission to establish clear eligibility standards and obligates utilities to actively inform potentially eligible customers through various channels (websites, offices, bill inserts, etc.), aiming to maximize access and ensure those in need are aware of and can apply for assistance.
Imposes rapid and transparent implementation. Utilities are required to implement these reduced rates within 30 days and must regularly report on customer participation and outreach efforts, promoting both swift relief for workers and ongoing oversight to ensure the program’s effectiveness and accountability.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Cut Utility Bills for Furloughed
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2354
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 24, 2019
Introduced by Sen. 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 the establishment of reduced residential rates for electric and natural gas service to furloughed or non-pay federal workers; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 66-p to read as follows:
§ 66-p. Reduced residential rates for electric and natural gas service to furloughed or non-pay federal customers. 1. The commission shall require electric and natural gas corporations to establish programs of rate reduction and other assistance to residential electric and natural gas customers who have been either furloughed or designated non-pay federal employees due to a period of a lapse in discretionary appropriations by the federal government, the revenue impact of which shall not be borne solely by any single class of customer. The commission shall ensure appropriate levels of rate reduction for such electric and natural gas customers to mitigate hardship. In establishing the appropriate percentage reduction the commission shall ensure to the extent feasible that ratepayers who have been furloughed or designated non-pay federal employees are not jeopardized or overburdened by rates for electric and natural gas service.
2. The commission shall establish customer income and categorical eligibility standards for reduced rates, which shall include, without limitation, customers providing documentation demonstrating that they have been furloughed or designated non-pay as a result of a period of a lapse in discretionary appropriations by the federal government.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08635-01-9
S. 2354 2
3. The commission shall require providers of electric and natural gas service to provide information and application forms for reduced rates to eligible customers on their websites, at their offices, and by other means, and to provide information regarding the availability and eligibility standards for reduced rates to residential customers at the time of service initiation, in bill inserts, in communications with customers in arrears, and by other means required or approved by the commission.
4. The commission shall require electric and natural gas corporations to establish reduced rates pursuant to this section to be effective no later than thirty days after the effective date of this section, and to file periodic reports regarding the number of eligible customers receiving reduced rates, utility efforts to provide reduced residential rates to all customers eligible for them, and other information deemed necessary or appropriate by the commission for the efficient administration of the reduced rates.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed one year after it shall have become a law.
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 the establishment of reduced residential rates for electric and natural gas service to furloughed or non-pay federal workers; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose of general idea of bill
Establishes reduced residential rates for electric and natural gas service to furloughed or non-pay federal workers.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1:
The public service commission shall require electric and natural gas corporations to establish programs of rate reduction and other assist- ance to residential electric and natural gas customers who have been either furloughed or designated non-pay federal employees due to a peri- od of a lapse in discretionary appropriations by the federal government, the revenue impact of which shall be borne solely by any single class of customer.
The PSC shall ensure appropriate levels of rate reduction for such elec- tric and natural gas customers to mitigate hardship. In establishing the appropriate percentage reduction the commission shall ensure to the feasible that ratepayers who have been furloughed or designated non-pay federal employees are not jeopardized or overburdened by rates for elec- tric and natural gas service.
Section 2:
The PSC shall establish customer income and categorical eligibility standards for reduced rates, which shall include, without limitation, customers providing documentation demonstrating that they have been furloughed or designated non-pay as a result of a period of a lapse in discretionary appropriations by the federal government.
Section 3:
The PSC shall require providers of electric and natural service to provide information and application forms for reduced to eligible customers.
Justification
With no end in sight, the Federal Government shutdown of 2019 represents an unprecedented loss of income for the many federal government workers in New York State. Unfortunately, during this cold winter, the demands of expensive utility bills are very real. When the Federal Government has failed us, New York State should do whatever we can to help families to pay their expensive utilities on time. Providing reduced residential electric and gas rates furloughed workers is important to protect New York families.
This legislation will assist furloughed workers in utility payment and protect Federal Employees and their families from the economic loss of having to borrow money at high interest rates to pay their expensive winter utility bills. In addition, the more affordable rates will protect Federal employees and their families from possible damage to their credit by not being able to make utility payments on time.
Prior legislative history
New
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.