NY State Senate Bill 2015-S1780A

Senate Bill S1780A

2015-2016 Legislative Session

Requires gas and electric utilities to make available to landlords upon request information concerning gas and electric charges incurred for residential premises

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Energy And Telecommunications 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

Please enter your contact information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

A valid email address is required.

Home address is used to determine the senate district in which you reside. Your support or opposition to this bill is then shared immediately with the senator who represents you.

Optional services from the NY State Senate:

Create an account. An account allows you to officially support or oppose key legislation, sign petitions with a single click, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Include a custom message for your Senator? (Optional)

Enter a message to your senator. Many New Yorkers use this to share the reasoning behind their support or opposition to the bill. Others might share a personal anecdote about how the bill would affect them or people they care about.

Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 13, 2016	print number 1780a
Jun 13, 2016	amend and recommit to energy and telecommunications
Jan 06, 2016	referred to energy and telecommunications
Jan 14, 2015	referred to energy and telecommunications

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2015-S1780 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Energy And Telecommunications
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §66-o, Pub Serv L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2009-2010: S8097
2011-2012: S1878
2013-2014: S1736
2017-2018: S131, S2180
2019-2020: S2749
2021-2022: S5841
2023-2024: S2879

2015-S1780 - Summary

Requires gas and electric utilities to make available to landlords or lessors, upon request of prospective tenants or lessees, information concerning gas and electric charges incurred for residential rental premises.

2015-S1780 - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S1780

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public service law, in relation to
making gas and electric billing information for residential rental
premises available upon request

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Requires gas and electric utility companies to make available to any
landlord and lessor of residential rental premises, upon the request
of a prospective tenant or lessor of a residential unit, information
concerning gas and electric charges incurred from prior occupants of
the dwelling.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

The public service law is amended by adding a new section 66-o to
require gas and electric utilities to make available to persons upon
request information concerning gas and electric charges incurred for
residential premises. The bill also stipulates that only billing
information be made available and that no identifying information is
co be provided.

JUSTIFICATION:

Currently, gas and electric companies have stopped providing billing

information to potential tenants and homeowners who wish to move into
a residential dwelling. This prevents them from inquiring about the
costs associated with heating a potential residence. People should
have the right to inquire from a gas and electric company the amount
of the bills being paid for heat and electric service by the prior
customer before they move into a residence. They should not have to
rely on a landlord or homeowner's word about how much it costs to heat
a residence.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

A.5049 (2007-08): Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
A.9711 (2005-06): Referred to Rules
A.4794 (2003-04): Referred to Corps
A.1967 (2001-02): Passed Assembly

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law: provided that the public service commission
is authorized to promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take
any other measures necessary to implement this act on its effective
date on or before such date.

2015-S1780 - Bill Text download pdf

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

                                  1780

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            January 14, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced by Sen. ESPAILLAT -- 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, in relation to  making  gas  and
  electric billing information for residential rental premises available
  upon request

  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
66-o to read as follows:
  S  66-O.  GAS  AND ELECTRIC BILLING INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTIAL RENTAL
PREMISES. EVERY GAS CORPORATION, ELECTRIC CORPORATION  AND  MUNICIPALITY
SHALL  MAKE  AVAILABLE  TO  ANY LANDLORD OR LESSOR OF RESIDENTIAL RENTAL
PREMISES, WITHIN TEN DAYS OF RECEIPT OF A WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR  FROM
ANY  PROSPECTIVE  TENANT OR LESSEE THEREOF, PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF
TENANCY OR EXECUTION OF A LEASE, INFORMATION CONSISTING OF  THE  CHARGES
INCURRED  AT  SUCH  PREMISES FOR GAS OR ELECTRIC SERVICE OR BOTH FOR THE
LIFE OF THE DWELLING UNIT OR THE PRECEDING TWO YEAR PERIOD, WHICHEVER IS
SHORTER. SUCH INFORMATION SHALL BE IDENTIFIED SOLELY BY THE  ADDRESS  OF
THE  DWELLING  UNIT,  AND  NO  OTHER  INFORMATION IDENTIFYING THE OWNER,
LESSEE, OR OTHER OCCUPANT OF THE DWELLING UNIT SHALL BE UTILIZED FOR, OR
MADE AVAILABLE IN CONNECTION WITH, THE FURNISHING OF BILLING INFORMATION
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.  SUCH INFORMATION SHALL BE FURNISHED  TO  BOTH
THE  LANDLORD  OR LESSOR AND TO THE PROSPECTIVE TENANT OR LESSEE WITHOUT
THE IMPOSITION OF ANY CHARGE OR FEE THEREFOR BY ANY PARTY TO ANY PARTY.
  S 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it shall have become a law; provided that the public service  commission
is  authorized to  promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take
any other measures necessary to implement this act on its effective date
on or before such date.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD01890-02-5

2015-S1780A (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Energy And Telecommunications
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §66-o, Pub Serv L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2009-2010: S8097
2011-2012: S1878
2013-2014: S1736
2017-2018: S131, S2180
2019-2020: S2749
2021-2022: S5841
2023-2024: S2879

2015-S1780A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2015-S1780A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S1780A

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the public service law, in relation
to making gas and electric billing information for residential rental
premises available upon request

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

Requires gas and electric utility companies to make available to any
landlord and lessor of residential rental premises, upon the request
of a prospective tenant or lessor of a residential unit, information
concerning gas and electric charges incurred from prior occupants of
the dwelling.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

The public service law is amended by adding a new section 66-o to
require gas and electric utilities to make available to persons upon
request information concerning gas and electric charges incurred for
residential premises. The bill also stipulates that only billing
information be made available and that no identifying information be
provided.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Currently, gas and electric companies have stopped providing billing

information to potential tenants and homeowners who wish to move into
a residential dwelling. This prevents them from inquiring about the
costs associated with heating a potential residence. People should
have the right to inquire from a gas and electric company the amount
of the bills being paid for heat and electric service by the prior
customer before they move into a residence. They should not have to
rely on a landlord or homeowner's word about how much it costs to heat
a residence.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

A.5049 (2007-08): Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
A.9711 (2005-06): Referred to Rules
A.4794 (2003-04): Referred to Corps
A.1967 (2001-02): Passed Assembly

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law: provided that the public service commission
is authorized to promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take
any other measures necessary to implement this act on its effective
date on or before such date.

2015-S1780A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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

                                 1780--A

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            January 14, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced by Sen. ESPAILLAT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed  to  be  committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommuni-
  cations -- recommitted to the Committee  on  Energy  and  Telecommuni-
  cations  in  accordance  with  Senate  Rule  6,  sec.  8  -- committee
  discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
  to said committee

AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to  making  gas  and
  electric billing information for residential rental premises available
  upon request

  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
66-o to read as follows:
  S  66-O.  GAS  AND ELECTRIC BILLING INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTIAL RENTAL
PREMISES. EVERY GAS CORPORATION, ELECTRIC CORPORATION  AND  MUNICIPALITY
SHALL  MAKE  AVAILABLE  TO  ANY LANDLORD OR LESSOR OF RESIDENTIAL RENTAL
PREMISES, WITHIN TEN DAYS OF RECEIPT OF A WRITTEN  OR  INTERNET  REQUEST
THEREFOR  FROM  ANY  PROSPECTIVE  TENANT OR LESSEE THEREOF, PRIOR TO THE
COMMENCEMENT OF TENANCY OR EXECUTION OF A LEASE, INFORMATION  CONSISTING
OF  THE  AVERAGE  MONTHLY  CHARGES  INCURRED AT SUCH PREMISES FOR GAS OR
ELECTRIC SERVICE OR BOTH FOR THE  LIFE  OF  THE  DWELLING  UNIT  OR  THE
PRECEDING  TWO  YEAR  PERIOD,  WHICHEVER IS SHORTER.   THE LETTER BY THE
PROSPECTIVE TENANT OR LESSEE SHALL INCLUDE THEIR NAME, ADDRESS, DRIVER'S
LICENSE NUMBER OR SOCIAL  SECURITY  NUMBER  OR  TAXPAYER  IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER  OR NON-DRIVER ID CARD OR ANY OFFICIAL DOCUMENTED OR UNDOCUMENTED
IMMIGRATION IDENTIFICATION, SIGNATURE, AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS BILLING
INFORMATION REQUESTED MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE  PURPOSE  OF  DETERMINING
PRIOR  GAS  AND  ELECTRIC  USAGE  AS  A FACTOR IN DECIDING TO OCCUPY THE
DWELLING UNIT. EACH PROSPECTIVE TENANT OR LESSEE IS LIMITED TO  A  TOTAL
OF  FIVE REQUESTS IN A CALENDAR YEAR WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  SUCH
INFORMATION SHALL BE IDENTIFIED SOLELY BY THE ADDRESS  OF  THE  DWELLING

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD01890-05-6

S. 1780--A                          2

UNIT,  AND  NO OTHER INFORMATION IDENTIFYING THE OWNER, LESSEE, OR OTHER
OCCUPANT OF THE DWELLING UNIT SHALL BE UTILIZED FOR, OR  MADE  AVAILABLE
IN  CONNECTION  WITH,  THE FURNISHING OF BILLING INFORMATION PURSUANT TO
THIS SECTION.  SUCH INFORMATION SHALL BE FURNISHED TO BOTH  THE LANDLORD
OR  LESSOR AND TO THE PROSPECTIVE TENANT OR LESSEE WITH AN IMPOSITION OF
A FIVE DOLLAR CHARGE TO THE PROSPECTIVE TENANT OR LESSEE REQUESTING  THE
BILLING INFORMATION PAYABLE TO THE GAS CORPORATION, ELECTRIC CORPORATION
AND MUNICIPALITY PROVIDING SUCH INFORMATION.
  S  2. The public service commission is directed to: (a) create a proc-
ess whereby a prospective tenant or lessee may obtain by written request
or by the internet to the  gas  corporation,  electric  corporation  and
municipality  the  average monthly electric and gas charges for the life
of the dwelling unit or the preceding  two  year  period,  whichever  is
shorter,  prior  to  the commencement of tenancy or execution of a lease
while maintaining the privacy of  the  current  tenant  or  lessor;  (b)
ensure  the  request is made only for the purpose of deciding whether to
occupy a dwelling unit; and (c) determine  the  cost  of  providing  the
information by the utility and assess a fee to the prospective tenant or
lessee  requesting the information payable to the gas corporation, elec-
tric corporation and municipality providing the information.
  S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it shall have become a law; provided that the public service  commission
is  authorized to  promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take
any other measures necessary to implement this act on its effective date
on or before such date.

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.