NY State Senate Bill 2011-S1734

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 04, 2012	referred to finance
Jan 11, 2011	referred to finance

2011-S1734 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Appropriations
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2009-2010: S2469
2013-2014: S3121

2011-S1734 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Provides grants of up to $200 to low income households for home energy assistance through the office of temporary and disability assistance; appropriates $500 million therefor.

2011-S1734 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S1734

TITLE OF BILL:

An act
to create the temporary home energy assistance grant program;
making an appropriation therefor;
and
providing for the repeal of such provisions
upon expiration thereof

PURPOSE:

Creates the temporary home energy assistance program, to provide
additional benefits to those who receive federal home-energy
assistance, as well as to provide benefits to those whose incomes
make them ineligible for the federal program.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 creates the temporary home energy assistance grant program,
and outlines the grant limits. Section 2 provides that all those who
are eligible for the federal program and pay for their own heat, will
receive a state grant of $200. Those who pay indirectly for their
heat will receive a state grant of $100. Households that are
ineligible for federal energy assistance, but whose incomes are still

below 100% of the state's median income level, based on size, will
receive a state grant of between $50-$150. Those who pay directly for
their heat and whose income is above 60% but below 75% of the state
median income will receive $150; those whose income is above 75% but
below 85% of the state median income will receive $100; those whose
income is above 85% but below 100% of the state median income will
receive $50. Those who pay indirectly for their heat, and whose
income is between 60% and 100% of the state's median income will
receive $50. This legislation also provides that the grants issued by
this bill will not be considered in any way as income or resources.
Section 3 provides for an immediate effective date, and a sunset of
May 31, 2012.

EXISTING LAW:

Currently, only those whose incomes are less than 60% of the state's
median income, based on household size, are eligible for the home
energy assistance program.

JUSTIFICATION:

Over the past year, fuel prices have been steadily climbing. Increased
demand for oil, coupled with the crippling effects of Hurricane Katrina
has placed an enormous economic burden on consumers. The sharp
increase in petroleum costs will result in much higher heating bills
this winter for all New Yorkers. According to state energy officials,
the cost of natural gas is expected to be up 32% from last winter,
heating oil 31%, propane 21% and electricity 11%. A recent analysis
by federal officials predicts that the average New York family will
have to spend $400 more to heat their home this winter. The


anticipated spike in home heating costs has placed New York State in
the throes of an energy crisis. Many working families and vulnerable
populations will be forced to choose between eating and heating their
homes. This issue was recently highlighted in an article in the New
York Times on 11/27/05; which commented that many offices are not
only seeing an increase in first time applications for assistance,
but are having to refuse assistance to many because they are over the
income limits. This legislation will help ease the burden of this
winter's energy bills, not only for those who already receive
assistance, but for those whose incomes are too high to get the
federal assistance, yet are barely making it by.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2010: S.2469 Referred to Finance
2008: S.2484 Referred to Finance
2006: S.7106 Referred to Finance

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

$500 million appropriation to be made to the program.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Takes effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed on
May 31, 2012.

2011-S1734 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  1734

                       2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            January 11, 2011
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen.  PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance

AN ACT to create the temporary home  energy  assistance  grant  program;
  making an appropriation therefor; and providing for the repeal of such
  provisions upon expiration thereof

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The temporary home  energy  assistance  grant  program.  1.
Notwithstanding  any  law,  rule or regulation to the contrary, there is
hereby created the temporary home energy assistance grant program to  be
administered by the commissioner of the office of temporary and disabil-
ity  assistance,  or his or her designees, to award a grant of up to two
hundred dollars to each household eligible for the low-income home ener-
gy assistance program, as provided in section 97 of the social  services
law,  and  a  grant of up to one hundred fifty dollars for all remaining
households.   Such eligible household  shall  file  an  application,  as
provided  by  the commissioner, for the temporary home energy assistance
grant on or before May 31, 2012.
  2. The commissioner shall award grants as follows:
  a. For those households that meet the eligibility requirements for the
home energy assistance program, the commissioner shall award a grant of:
  (i) two hundred dollars to any household who directly pays their  home
energy costs; or
  (ii)  one  hundred  dollars to any household who indirectly pays their
home energy costs, such as being included in their rent.
  b. For all other households, the commissioner  shall  grant  an  award
according to the following:
  (i)  For  households  with  an income of more than sixty but less than
seventy-five percent of the state median income, a grant of one  hundred
fifty dollars if they pay their home energy cost directly;

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD02148-01-1

S. 1734                             2

  (ii)  For households with an income of seventy-five percent or greater
but less than eighty-five percent of the state median income, a grant of
one hundred dollars if they pay their home energy cost directly;
  (iii) For households with an income from eighty-five percent up to one
hundred  percent of the state median income, a grant of fifty dollars if
they pay their home energy cost directly;
  (iv) For households with an income equal to or less than  one  hundred
percent  of  the  state  median income, a grant of fifty dollars if they
indirectly pay their home energy costs, such as being included in  their
rent.
  c.  Any grant awarded pursuant to this act shall be in addition to any
federal assistance received by the homeowner.
  3. The temporary home energy assistance grant provided under this  act
shall  not  be  considered income or resources of such households, or of
any member thereof, for any purpose under any federal,  state  or  local
law, including any law relating to taxation, food stamps, public assist-
ance or other available benefits.
  S 2. The sum of five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000) or so much
thereof  as  may  be  necessary, is hereby appropriated to the office of
temporary and disability assistance and made immediately available,  for
the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the provisions of this act.   Up to ten
percent of such moneys may be  used  for  administrative  costs.    Such
moneys  shall  be payable on the audit and warrant of the comptroller on
vouchers certified or approved by the  commissioner  of  the  office  of
temporary and disability assistance in the manner prescribed by law.
  S  3.  This  act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
deemed repealed on May 31, 2012.

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Senate Bill S1734

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Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

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2011-S1734 (ACTIVE) - Details

2011-S1734 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2011-S1734 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2011-S1734 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Sponsored By

Kevin S. Parker

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Actions

2011-S1734 (ACTIVE) - Details

2011-S1734 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2011-S1734 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2011-S1734 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments