S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4483
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 4, 2009
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Introduced by M. of A. ESPAILLAT, V. LOPEZ, WRIGHT -- Multi-Sponsored by
-- M. of A. COLTON, DIAZ, McENENY, TOWNS -- read once and referred to
the Committee on Energy
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to liability of gas
and electric corporations for damages to customers resulting from
interruption in service caused by negligence of the corporation
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivision 11 of section 65 of the public service law, as
added by chapter 693 of the laws of 1985, is renumbered subdivision 12
and a new subdivision 13 is added to read as follows:
13. (A) EVERY GAS OR ELECTRIC CORPORATION SHALL BE STRICTLY LIABLE FOR
ALL DIRECT DAMAGES INCURRED BY RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS
RESULTING FROM AN INTERRUPTION OF GAS OR ELECTRIC SERVICE CAUSED BY THE
GROSS NEGLIGENCE, RECKLESSNESS OR INTENTIONAL TORTS OF THE GAS OR ELEC-
TRIC CORPORATION INCLUDING ANY EMPLOYEES THEREOF.
(B) THE COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROVIDING
(1) FOR GAS AND ELECTRIC CORPORATIONS TO GIVE THEIR CUSTOMERS NOTICE OF
THEIR LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES IN CASE OF INTERRUPTIONS OF SERVICE, AND (2)
FOR A FAIR AND EXPEDITIOUS PROCEDURE ALLOWING CUSTOMERS TO COLLECT
PAYMENT FOR DAMAGES INCURRED IN THE CASE OF GAS OR ELECTRIC CORPORATION
LIABILITY IN LIEU OF A COURT ACTION THEREFOR.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07774-01-9