What's happening
This bill requires that local, state, and federal elected officials be notified of any hearing about proposed water rate increases.
Why it matters
Increases government accountability and transparency. By mandating notification of local, state, and federal elected officials about hearings on proposed water rate hikes, the law ensures that those who represent the public are informed and able to respond to constituent concerns.
Enables broader oversight and advocacy. Elected officials at multiple levels of government will have the opportunity to monitor, weigh in on, or challenge proposed water rate changes, potentially leading to more public debate and scrutiny of rate increases.
Improves communication between regulators and communities. Local communities may benefit from having their elected representatives involved earlier and more directly in the rate-setting process, which could result in more responsive or equitable outcomes for ratepayers.
May slow or complicate rate approval processes. With more officials formally notified, there could be increased input or objections, possibly making the regulatory process more deliberate but also more complex and potentially lengthier.
Albany, before your first meeting.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Notify Officials on Water Hearings
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 7
No co-sponsors yet.
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.
Notify Officials of Water Hearings
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Charles Lavine
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2423
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 24, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAPLAN -- 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 providing notice to local elected officials for any hearing related to a water rate increase
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (f) of subdivision 10 of section 89-c of the public service law, as amended by chapter 154 of the laws of 1989, is amended to read as follows:
(f) Whenever there shall be filed with the commission by any waterworks corporation any schedule stating a new rate or charge, or any change in any form of contract or agreement or any rule or regulation relating to any rate, charge or service, or in any general privilege or facility, the commission may, at any time within sixty days from the date when such schedule would or has become effective, either upon complaint or upon its own initiative, and, if it so orders, without answer or other formal pleading by the interested corporation, but upon reasonable notice, hold a hearing concerning the propriety of a change proposed by the filing. If such change is a major change, the commission shall hold such a hearing. The commission shall give notice of such hearing to the local United States congressional representatives, state senators, state assembly members, and municipal elected officials. Pending such hearing and decision thereon, the commission, upon filing with such schedule and delivering to the corporation affected thereby a statement in writing of its reasons therefor, may suspend the operation of such schedule, but not for a longer period than one hundred and twenty days beyond the time when it would otherwise go into effect. After a full hearing, whether completed before or after the schedule goes into effect, the commission may make such order in reference thereto as would
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04608-01-9
S. 2423 2
be proper in a proceeding begun after the rate, charge, form of contract or agreement, rule, regulation, service, general privilege or facility had become effective. If any such hearing cannot be concluded within the period of suspension as above stated, the commission may extend the suspension for a further period not exceeding six months.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day 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 providing notice to local elected officials for any hearing related to a water rate increase
Summary of provisions
Section one is amended to require the Public Service Commission to noti- fy the local United States congressional representatives, state senators, state assembly members and municipal elected officials whenev- er a waterworks corporation requests a hearing related to any rate, charge or service change.
Justification
Public hearings are often called as a way to assert or legitimize controversial decisions taken in several important areas of governmental planning. Moreover, in cases where the public's opinion is not reflected in the final decision, by presenting information on the topic and answering public questions, public hearings may also serve to sway the public in favor of officials' proposed decisions or else communicate why a certain course of action may be taken.
Public deliberation affects the quality of a legislative proposal and makes it more legitimate. However, current law undercuts the integrity of these discussions since it dictates that the commission notify the parties they believe will be affected by a water rate increase. To have regulations in place that do not promote the inclusion of elected offi- cials, at all levels, is a detriment to those charged with executing a decision that reflects imminent economic hardships to those areas served.
An elected official is the culmination of a district's socio-economic needs and wants and currently there are no regulations in place requir- ing the commission to notify them of hearings that will increase the rate for basic commodities in their districts. When elected officials are the receivers of constituent issues, ideas and solutions these offi- cials should be charged with representing them at these hearings.
Legislative history
A. 8903 of 2017/2018; Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commis- sions
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.