S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3169
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
February 3, 2015
___________
Introduced by Sen. STAVISKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommuni-
cations
AN ACT to amend the public service law and the state administrative
procedure act, in relation to ex parte communications
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The public service law is amended by adding a new section
20-a to read as follows:
S 20-A. EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS. WITH REGARD TO ALL HEARINGS BEFORE
THE COMMISSIONER OR AN OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE SPECIALLY AUTHORIZED TO
CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION OR HEARING, ALL PARTIES SHALL RECEIVE WRITTEN
NOTICE OF ALL EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS AND VISITS AND SHALL HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND.
S 2. Subdivision 2 of section 307 of the state administrative proce-
dure act is amended to read as follows:
2. Unless required for the disposition of ex parte matters authorized
by law, members or employees of an agency assigned to render a decision
or to make findings of fact and conclusions of law in an adjudicatory
proceeding shall not communicate, directly or indirectly, in connection
with any issue of fact, with any person or party, nor, in connection
with any issue of law, with any party or his representative, except upon
notice and opportunity for all parties to participate. Any such agency
member (a) may communicate with other members of the agency, and (b) may
have the aid and advice of agency staff other than staff which has been
or is engaged in the investigative or prosecuting functions in
connection with the case under consideration or factually related case.
[This subdivision does not apply (a) in determining applications for
initial licenses for public utilities or carriers; or (b) to proceedings
involving the validity or application of rates, facilities, or practices
of public utilities or carriers.]
S 3. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04952-01-5