What's happening
This bill exempts qualifying senior homeowners in New York City from water rate increases, with limited exceptions during emergencies.
Why it matters
Targets low-income seniors. The exemption is specifically for homeowners aged 65+ with household incomes below $50,000 (for two years), directly assisting older adults with limited financial resources.
Applies only to primary residences. Only owners of one- to four-family homes who live in their property as their main residence are eligible, ensuring the benefit supports those who most likely face challenges with rising costs.
Limits government flexibility except during emergencies. Water rate increases can only be applied to these seniors during droughts or other emergencies, which could constrain city revenue options but enhances financial predictability for qualifying seniors.
Can be combined with other benefits. Receiving this water rate freeze does not disqualify seniors from other city exemptions or credits, potentially amplifying the overall financial relief for eligible homeowners.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Freeze Water Rates for Seniors
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to cities
- Print number 2555a
- Amend (t) and recommit to finance
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to cities
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.
Freeze Seniors’ Water Bills
In Assembly Committee · Cities · Sponsor Edward Braunstein
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2555--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 28, 2019
Introduced by Sen. STAVISKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cities -- reported favorably from said committee and committed to the Committee on Finance -committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to providing certain elderly individuals with an exemption from increases in water rates
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 24-340 to read as follows:
§ 24-340 Senior citizen water rate freeze. a. For purposes of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(1) "Qualified homeowner" means a person who: (a) is at least sixtyfive years of age; (b) owns real property; and (c) has had a total household income of less than fifty thousand dollars for two consecutive income tax years beginning in two thousand seventeen, as verified by the New York city department of finance;
(2) "Real property" means a one, two, three, or four family home owned by a qualified homeowner that serves as the primary residence of such homeowner;
(3) "Water rate increase" means an increase in water rates that takes effect subsequent to a qualified homeowner's eligibility under this section.
b. Real property owned by a qualified homeowner shall be exempt from any charges due to a water rate increase.
c. The exemption provided by this section may be suspended for no more than one calendar year by the commissioner of the department of environmental protection of the city of New York (1) in the event of a drought, or (2) in the event of a disaster or catastrophe other than drought,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02931-03-9
S. 2555--A 2
which causes or may cause an actual and immediate shortage of available and usable water.
d. Eligibility for the exemption provided by this section shall not preclude a qualified homeowner's eligibility for any other exemption or credit to which they are entitled.
§ 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to providing certain elderly individuals with an exemption from increases in water rates
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of the bill is to provide water relief to elderly individ- uals in New York City.
Summary of specific provisions
This bill would permit an exemption from further water rate increases to individuals in a city having a population of one million or more that have a primary residence or sole domicile in the city and are at least 62 years of age with a household income of $50,000 or less for two consecutive tax years.
Justification
In the 1990's, New York City changed its method of billing for water usage to a metered system, primarily because there was a significant drop in water consumption. However, this change led to low-income house- holds shouldering a larger share of the burden to support the water infrastructure system because the new rate methodology includes not only usage fees, but all maintenance and system improvement costs as well. In the previous ten years to 2017, the base charge for water in New York City soared 131 percent, well ahead of the 41 percent increase in the city's median rent. The city pricing system of water puts an unfair burden on senior citizens and low to moderate-income households.
Prior legislative history
2017-2018: A.8128/S.6507 - Referred to Cities.
Fiscal impact
None to State.
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.