NY State Senate Bill 2021-S8492B

Senate Bill S8492B

2021-2022 Legislative Session

Relates to establishing discount programs for low-income senior citizens and individuals with a disability

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Rules 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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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 03, 2022	committed to rules
May 23, 2022	amended on third reading 8492b
May 16, 2022	amended on third reading 8492a
May 02, 2022	advanced to third reading
Apr 27, 2022	2nd report cal.
Apr 26, 2022	1st report cal.923
Mar 07, 2022	referred to energy and telecommunications

Votes

- Apr 26, 2022 - Energy And Telecommunications Committee Vote
  S8492B
  
  7
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  2
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Energy And Telecommunications Committee Vote: Apr 26, 2022
      
      aye (7)
      
      Boyle
      
      Gaughran
      
      Harckham
      
      Hinchey
      
      Kavanagh
      
      Kennedy
      
      Parker
      
      aye wr (2)
      
      O'Mara
      
      Ritchie

Bill Amendments

Original

B (Active)

co-Sponsors

2021-S8492 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Rules
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §§66-t, 89-q, 91-b & 224-d, Pub Serv L
Versions Introduced in 2023-2024 Legislative Session:: S1204

2021-S8492 - Summary

Relates to establishing discount programs for low-income senior citizens and individuals with a disability; provides that utilities, water-works corporations, telephone corporations and cable television companies shall create discount programs that provide a 10 percent discount to low-income senior citizens and individuals with a disability; defines terms.

2021-S8492 - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8492

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to establishing
discount programs for low-income senior citizens and individuals with a
disability

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To provide a discount for senior citizens and disabled individuals in
the state of New York for such persons' utility bills.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 provides for the utility discount program. Authorizes and
directs the commission to require a gas corporation, electric corpo-
ration, or municipality to establish a discount program for low-income
senior citizens and individuals with a disability.  Delineates the
eligibility requirements for senior and disabled individuals.

Section 2 the water discount program. Authorizes and directs the commis-
sion to require water-works corporations and municipal water systems to
establish a discount program for low-income senior citizens and individ-
uals with a disability. Delineates the eligibility requirements for
senior and disabled individuals.

Section 3 provides the telephone discount program. Authorizes and
directs the commission to require telephone corporations to provide a
discount program for low-income senior citizens and individuals with a
disability. Delineates the eligibility requirements for senior and disa-
bled individuals

Section 4 provides for the cable television discount program.  Author-
izes and directs the commission to require telephone corporations and
cable television corporations to provide a discount program for low-in-
come senior citizens and individuals with a disability. Delineates the
eligibility requirements for senior and disabled individuals

Section 5 sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Assistance in meeting the rising cost of utility rates is essential for
senior citizens who face special difficulty in meeting the financial
demands. The recent bill surges on customer utility bills due to supply
side limits left many with bills 4 times higher than expected. A 10%
discount would provide some relief to senior citizens.

Utility rate increases currently take up a considerable amount of low-
income individuals' income, especially our senior citizens who are
living on fixed income. While supply costs and weather-related increases
in energy use are extracurricular elements, utility companies can use
the billing process as a tool to mitigate future supply cost volatility
for our most vulnerable customers.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None to the state.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect take effect immediately.

2021-S8492 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8492
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 7, 2022
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  PARKER -- 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 establishing
   discount programs for low-income senior citizens and individuals  with
   a disability
 
   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-s to read as follows:
   §  66-S.  UTILITY DISCOUNT PROGRAM.   1. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
 PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE A
 GAS CORPORATION, ELECTRIC CORPORATION OR  MUNICIPALITY  TO  ESTABLISH  A
 DISCOUNT  PROGRAM  FOR LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A
 DISABILITY NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  THIS
 SECTION.  SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER A YEARLY BENEFIT TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR
 CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN  PERCENT
 DISCOUNT  ON  UTILITY BILLS. THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT
 BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY A  GAS
 CORPORATION, ELECTRIC CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY TO CUSTOMERS.
   (B)  A  GAS  CORPORATION,  ELECTRIC  CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY WHICH
 OFFERS SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL CONSPICUOUSLY  ADVERTISE  THE  AVAIL-
 ABILITY  AND  AMOUNT  OF SUCH DISCOUNT ON THE WEBSITE OF SUCH GAS CORPO-
 RATION, ELECTRIC  CORPORATION  OR  MUNICIPALITY.  THE  AVAILABILITY  AND
 AMOUNT  OF  SUCH  DISCOUNT SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE
 ACCESSIBILITY PAGE OF THE WEBSITE  OF  SUCH  GAS  CORPORATION,  ELECTRIC
 CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY.
   2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A)  "INDIVIDUALS  WITH  A  DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PERSON (I) WITH A
 DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO  HUNDRED
 NINETY-TWO OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; AND (II) WHO IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A)
 SOCIAL  SECURITY  DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B) SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY
 INCOME (SSI) BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT,  (C)  DISA-
 BILITY  PENSION  OR  DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED BY THE
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD14944-01-2
 S. 8492                             2
 
 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D) DISABILITY PENSION  OR
 DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES POSTAL
 SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE OF  RECEIVING  DISA-
 BILITY  BENEFITS  UNDER  THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM OR THE
 SOCIAL SECURITY  DISABILITY  PROGRAM  AND  CURRENTLY  RECEIVING  MEDICAL
 ASSISTANCE  BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS PROVIDED IN
 SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; AND
   (B) "LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN A  PERSON  WHO  (I)  IS  AT
 LEAST  SIXTY-FIVE  YEARS  OF  AGE;  AND  (II) EITHER (A) HAS HAD A TOTAL
 HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE
 INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED BY  THE
 DEPARTMENT  OF  TAXATION  AND  FINANCE;  OR  (B) IS ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO
 RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP),
 HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) OR OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE ASSIST-
 ANCE PROGRAMS.
   § 2. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 89-q to
 read as follows:
   § 89-Q. WATER DISCOUNT  PROGRAM.  1.  (A)  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER
 PROVISION  OF  LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE
 WATERWORKS CORPORATIONS AND  MUNICIPAL  WATER  SYSTEMS  TO  ESTABLISH  A
 DISCOUNT  PROGRAM  FOR LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A
 DISABILITY NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  THIS
 SECTION.  SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER A YEARLY BENEFIT TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR
 CITIZENS  AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN PERCENT
 DISCOUNT ON WATER UTILITY BILLS. THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL
 NOT BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY  A
 WATERWORKS CORPORATION OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM TO CUSTOMERS.
   (B)  A  WATERWORKS  CORPORATION OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM WHICH OFFERS
 SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAILABILITY AND
 AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT ON THE WEBSITE OF SUCH  WATERWORKS  CORPORATIONS
 OR  MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM. THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT
 SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE ACCESSIBILITY PAGE OF  THE
 WEBSITE OF SUCH WATERWORKS CORPORATION OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM.
   2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A)  "INDIVIDUALS  WITH  A  DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PERSON (I) WITH A
 DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO  HUNDRED
 NINETY-TWO OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; AND (II) WHO IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A)
 SOCIAL  SECURITY  DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B) SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY
 INCOME (SSI) BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT,  (C)  DISA-
 BILITY  PENSION  OR  DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED BY THE
 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D) DISABILITY PENSION  OR
 DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES POSTAL
 SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE OF  RECEIVING  DISA-
 BILITY  BENEFITS  UNDER  THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM OR THE
 SOCIAL SECURITY  DISABILITY  PROGRAM  AND  CURRENTLY  RECEIVING  MEDICAL
 ASSISTANCE  BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS PROVIDED IN
 SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; AND
   (B) "LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN A  PERSON  WHO  (I)  IS  AT
 LEAST  SIXTY-FIVE  YEARS  OF  AGE;  AND  (II) EITHER (A) HAS HAD A TOTAL
 HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE
 INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED BY  THE
 DEPARTMENT  OF  TAXATION  AND  FINANCE;  OR  (B) IS ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO
 RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP),
 HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) OR OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE ASSIST-
 ANCE PROGRAMS.
 S. 8492                             3
 
   § 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 91-b to
 read as follows:
   §  91-B.  TELEPHONE DISCOUNT PROGRAM. 1. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
 PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE A
 TELEPHONE CORPORATION TO ESTABLISH A  DISCOUNT  PROGRAM  FOR  LOW-INCOME
 SENIOR  CITIZENS  AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY NO LATER THAN NINETY
 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL  OFFER
 A  YEARLY  BENEFIT  TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A
 DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN PERCENT DISCOUNT ON TELEPHONE BILLS. THE
 FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND  SHALL
 NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY A TELEPHONE CORPORATION TO CUSTOMERS.
   (B)  A  TELEPHONE CORPORATION WHICH OFFERS SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL
 CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT  ON
 THE  WEBSITE  OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION. THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT
 OF SUCH DISCOUNT SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE  ACCESSI-
 BILITY PAGE OF THE WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION.
   2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A)  "INDIVIDUALS  WITH  A  DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PERSON (I) WITH A
 DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO  HUNDRED
 NINETY-TWO OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; AND (II) WHO IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A)
 SOCIAL  SECURITY  DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B) SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY
 INCOME (SSI) BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT,  (C)  DISA-
 BILITY  PENSION  OR  DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED BY THE
 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D) DISABILITY PENSION  OR
 DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES POSTAL
 SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE OF  RECEIVING  DISA-
 BILITY  BENEFITS  UNDER  THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM OR THE
 SOCIAL SECURITY  DISABILITY  PROGRAM  AND  CURRENTLY  RECEIVING  MEDICAL
 ASSISTANCE  BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS PROVIDED IN
 SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; AND
   (B) "LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN A  PERSON  WHO  (I)  IS  AT
 LEAST  SIXTY-FIVE  YEARS  OF  AGE;  AND  (II) EITHER (A) HAS HAD A TOTAL
 HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE
 INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED BY  THE
 DEPARTMENT  OF  TAXATION  AND  FINANCE;  OR  (B) IS ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO
 RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP),
 HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) OR OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE ASSIST-
 ANCE PROGRAMS.
   § 4. The public service law is amended by adding a new  section  224-d
 to read as follows:
   §  224-D.  CABLE  DISCOUNT  PROGRAM.  1. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
 PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE A
 TELEPHONE CORPORATION, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION  SEVENTEEN  OF  SECTION
 TWO  OF  THIS  CHAPTER,  AND  A  CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY, AS DEFINED IN
 SECTION TWO HUNDRED TWELVE OF THIS ARTICLE, THAT PROVIDES CABLE  SERVICE
 TO CUSTOMERS IN NEW YORK, TO ESTABLISH A DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME
 SENIOR  CITIZENS  AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY NO LATER THAN NINETY
 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL  OFFER
 A  YEARLY  BENEFIT  TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A
 DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN PERCENT DISCOUNT  ON  CABLE  BILLS.  THE
 FISCAL  IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND SHALL
 NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY A TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELE-
 VISION COMPANY TO CUSTOMERS.
   (B) A TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY  WHICH  OFFERS
 SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAILABILITY AND
 AMOUNT  OF SUCH DISCOUNT ON THE WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR
 S. 8492                             4
 
 CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY. THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT OF  SUCH  DISCOUNT
 SHALL  ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE ACCESSIBILITY PAGE OF THE
 WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY.
   2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A)  "INDIVIDUALS  WITH  A  DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PERSON (I) WITH A
 DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO  HUNDRED
 NINETY-TWO OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; AND (II) WHO IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A)
 SOCIAL  SECURITY  DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B) SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY
 INCOME (SSI) BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT,  (C)  DISA-
 BILITY  PENSION  OR  DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED BY THE
 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D) DISABILITY PENSION  OR
 DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES POSTAL
 SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE OF  RECEIVING  DISA-
 BILITY  BENEFITS  UNDER  THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM OR THE
 SOCIAL SECURITY  DISABILITY  PROGRAM  AND  CURRENTLY  RECEIVING  MEDICAL
 ASSISTANCE  BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS PROVIDED IN
 SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; AND
   (B) "LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN A  PERSON  WHO  (I)  IS  AT
 LEAST  SIXTY-FIVE  YEARS  OF  AGE;  AND  (II) EITHER (A) HAS HAD A TOTAL
 HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE
 INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED BY  THE
 DEPARTMENT  OF  TAXATION  AND  FINANCE;  OR  (B) IS ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO
 RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP),
 HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) OR OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE ASSIST-
 ANCE PROGRAMS.
   § 5. This act shall take effect immediately.

co-Sponsors

2021-S8492A - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Rules
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §§66-t, 89-q, 91-b & 224-d, Pub Serv L
Versions Introduced in 2023-2024 Legislative Session:: S1204

2021-S8492A - Summary

2021-S8492A - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8492A

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to establishing
discount programs for low-income senior citizens and individuals with a
disability

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To provide a discount for senior citizens and disabled individuals in
the state of New York for such persons' utility bills.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 provides for the utility discount program. Authorizes and
directs the commission to require a gas corporation, electric corpo-
ration, or municipality to establish a discount program for low-income
senior citizens and individuals with a disability.  Delineates the
eligibility requirements for senior and disabled individuals.

Section 2 the water discount program. Authorizes and directs the commis-
sion to require water-works corporations and municipal water systems to
establish a discount program for low-income senior citizens and individ-
uals with a disability. Delineates the eligibility requirements for
senior and disabled individuals.

Section 3 provides the telephone discount program. Authorizes and
directs the commission to require telephone corporations to provide a
discount program for low-income senior citizens and individuals with a
disability. Delineates the eligibility requirements for senior and disa-
bled individuals

Section 4 provides for the cable television discount program.  Author-
izes and directs the commission to require telephone corporations and
cable television corporations to provide a discount program for low-in-
come senior citizens and individuals with a disability. Delineates the
eligibility requirements for senior and disabled individuals

Section 5 sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Assistance in meeting the rising cost of utility rates is essential for
senior citizens who face special difficulty in meeting the financial
demands. The recent bill surges on customer utility bills due to supply
side limits left many with bills 4 times higher than expected. A 10%
discount would provide some relief to senior citizens.

Utility rate increases currently take up a considerable amount of low-
income individuals' income, especially our senior citizens who are
living on fixed income. While supply costs and weather-related increases
in energy use are extracurricular elements, utility companies can use
the billing process as a tool to mitigate future supply cost volatility
for our most vulnerable customers.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNM NTS:

None to the state.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect take effect immediately.

2021-S8492A - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  8492--A
     Cal. No. 923
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 7, 2022
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sens. PARKER, CLEARE, GAUGHRAN -- read twice and ordered
   printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on  Energy
   and  Telecommunications  --  reported  favorably  from said committee,
   ordered to first and  second  report,  ordered  to  a  third  reading,
   amended  and  ordered  reprinted,  retaining its place in the order of
   third reading

 AN ACT to amend the public service  law,  in  relation  to  establishing
   discount  programs for low-income senior citizens and individuals with
   a disability
 
   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-t to read as follows:
   § 66-T. UTILITY DISCOUNT PROGRAM.   1. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER
 PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE A
 GAS  CORPORATION,  ELECTRIC  CORPORATION  OR MUNICIPALITY TO ESTABLISH A
 DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS  WITH  A
 DISABILITY  NO  LATER  THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
 SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER A YEARLY BENEFIT TO LOW-INCOME  SENIOR
 CITIZENS  AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN PERCENT
 DISCOUNT ON UTILITY BILLS. THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM  SHALL  NOT
 BE  BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY A GAS
 CORPORATION, ELECTRIC CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY TO CUSTOMERS.
   (B) A GAS CORPORATION,  ELECTRIC  CORPORATION  OR  MUNICIPALITY  WHICH
 OFFERS  SUCH  DISCOUNT  PROGRAM SHALL CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAIL-
 ABILITY AND AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT ON THE WEBSITE OF  SUCH  GAS  CORPO-
 RATION,  ELECTRIC  CORPORATION  OR  MUNICIPALITY.  THE  AVAILABILITY AND
 AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY  ADVERTISED  ON  THE
 ACCESSIBILITY  PAGE  OF  THE  WEBSITE  OF SUCH GAS CORPORATION, ELECTRIC
 CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY.
   2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A) "INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY  NAMED  TELE-
 PHONE  SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER (I) WITH A DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDI-
 VISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED  NINETY-TWO  OF  THE  EXECUTIVE
 LAW;  AND  (II)  WHO HAS HAD A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY
 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE MOST RECENT TWO CONSECUTIVE  INCOME  TAX  YEARS

 BEGINNING  IN  TWO  THOUSAND  NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14944-02-2
 S. 8492--A                          2
 
 TAXATION AND FINANCE; AND (III) WHO IS CURRENTLY  RECEIVING  (A)  SOCIAL
 SECURITY  DISABILITY  INSURANCE (SSDI), (B) SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
 (SSI) BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL SOCIAL  SECURITY  ACT,  (C)  DISABILITY
 PENSION  OR  DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED  BY THE UNITED
 STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D) DISABILITY PENSION  OR  DISA-
 BILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED  BY  THE  UNITED  STATES POSTAL
 SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE OF  RECEIVING  DISA-
 BILITY  BENEFITS  UNDER  THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM OR THE
 SOCIAL SECURITY  DISABILITY  PROGRAM  AND  CURRENTLY  RECEIVING  MEDICAL
 ASSISTANCE  BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS PROVIDED IN
 SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; AND
   (B) "LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY  NAMED  TELEPHONE
 SERVICE  ACCOUNTHOLDER  WHO (I) IS AT LEAST SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE; AND
 (II) EITHER (A) HAS HAD A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD  INCOME  OF  LESS  THAN  FIFTY
 THOUSAND  DOLLARS  FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO
 THOUSAND NINETEEN,  AS  VERIFIED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  TAXATION  AND
 FINANCE;  OR  (B)  IS  ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE
 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP) OR THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE
 PROGRAM (HEAP).
   § 2. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 89-q to
 read as follows:
   § 89-Q. WATER DISCOUNT  PROGRAM.  1.  (A)  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER
 PROVISION  OF  LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE
 WATERWORKS CORPORATIONS AND  MUNICIPAL  WATER  SYSTEMS  TO  ESTABLISH  A
 DISCOUNT  PROGRAM  FOR LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A
 DISABILITY NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  THIS
 SECTION.  SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER A YEARLY BENEFIT TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR
 CITIZENS  AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN PERCENT
 DISCOUNT ON WATER UTILITY BILLS. THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL
 NOT BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY  A
 WATERWORKS CORPORATION OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM TO CUSTOMERS.
   (B)  A  WATERWORKS  CORPORATION OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM WHICH OFFERS
 SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAILABILITY AND
 AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT ON THE WEBSITE OF SUCH  WATERWORKS  CORPORATIONS
 OR  MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM. THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT
 SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE ACCESSIBILITY PAGE OF  THE
 WEBSITE OF SUCH WATERWORKS CORPORATION OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM.
   2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A)  "INDIVIDUALS  WITH A DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY NAMED TELE-
 PHONE SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER (I) WITH A DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN  SUBDI-
 VISION  TWENTY-ONE  OF  SECTION  TWO HUNDRED NINETY-TWO OF THE EXECUTIVE
 LAW; AND (II) WHO HAS HAD A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF  LESS  THAN  FIFTY
 THOUSAND  DOLLARS  FOR  THE MOST RECENT TWO CONSECUTIVE INCOME TAX YEARS
 BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF
 TAXATION  AND  FINANCE;  AND (III) WHO IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A) SOCIAL
 SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B) SUPPLEMENTAL  SECURITY  INCOME
 (SSI)  BENEFITS  UNDER  THE  FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, (C) DISABILITY
 PENSION OR DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED  BY  THE  UNITED
 STATES  DEPARTMENT  OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D) DISABILITY PENSION OR DISA-
 BILITY COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED  BY  THE  UNITED  STATES  POSTAL
 SERVICE,  OR  (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE OF RECEIVING DISA-
 BILITY BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME  PROGRAM  OR  THE
 SOCIAL  SECURITY  DISABILITY  PROGRAM  AND  CURRENTLY  RECEIVING MEDICAL
 ASSISTANCE BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS PROVIDED  IN
 SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; AND
 S. 8492--A                          3
 
   (B)  "LOW-INCOME  SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY NAMED TELEPHONE
 SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER WHO (I) IS AT LEAST SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF  AGE;  AND
 (II)  EITHER  (A)  HAS  HAD  A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY
 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING  IN  TWO
 THOUSAND  NINETEEN,  AS  VERIFIED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  TAXATION AND
 FINANCE; OR (B) IS ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO  RECEIVE  ASSISTANCE  UNDER  THE
 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP) OR THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE
 PROGRAM (HEAP).
   § 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 91-b to
 read as follows:
   §  91-B.  TELEPHONE DISCOUNT PROGRAM. 1. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
 PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE A
 TELEPHONE CORPORATION TO ESTABLISH A  DISCOUNT  PROGRAM  FOR  LOW-INCOME
 SENIOR  CITIZENS  AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY NO LATER THAN NINETY
 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL  OFFER
 A  YEARLY  BENEFIT  TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A
 DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN PERCENT DISCOUNT ON TELEPHONE BILLS. THE
 FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND  SHALL
 NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY A TELEPHONE CORPORATION TO CUSTOMERS.
   (B)  A  TELEPHONE CORPORATION WHICH OFFERS SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL
 CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT  ON
 THE  WEBSITE  OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION. THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT
 OF SUCH DISCOUNT SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE  ACCESSI-
 BILITY PAGE OF THE WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION.
   (C)  PARTICIPATION IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY
 PROGRAM SHALL SATISFY THE TELEPHONE CORPORATION'S OBLIGATION  TO  ESTAB-
 LISH A DISCOUNT PROGRAM UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
   (D)  BEFORE  APPLYING  A DISCOUNT UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
 SION, A TELEPHONE CORPORATION MAY REQUIRE PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY FROM  THE
 PRIMARY  NAMED ACCOUNTHOLDER FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR IN WHICH THE DISCOUNT
 IS SOUGHT.
   2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A) "INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY  NAMED  TELE-
 PHONE  SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER (I) WITH A DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDI-
 VISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED  NINETY-TWO  OF  THE  EXECUTIVE
 LAW;  AND  (II)  WHO HAS HAD A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY
 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE MOST RECENT TWO CONSECUTIVE  INCOME  TAX  YEARS
 BEGINNING  IN  TWO  THOUSAND  NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
 TAXATION AND FINANCE; AND (III) WHO IS CURRENTLY  RECEIVING  (A)  SOCIAL
 SECURITY  DISABILITY  INSURANCE (SSDI), (B) SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
 (SSI) BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL SOCIAL  SECURITY  ACT,  (C)  DISABILITY
 PENSION  OR  DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED  BY THE UNITED
 STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D) DISABILITY PENSION  OR  DISA-
 BILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED  BY  THE  UNITED  STATES POSTAL
 SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE OF  RECEIVING  DISA-
 BILITY  BENEFITS  UNDER  THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM OR THE
 SOCIAL SECURITY  DISABILITY  PROGRAM  AND  CURRENTLY  RECEIVING  MEDICAL
 ASSISTANCE  BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS PROVIDED IN
 SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; AND
   (B) "LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY  NAMED  TELEPHONE
 SERVICE  ACCOUNTHOLDER  WHO (I) IS AT LEAST SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE; AND
 (II) EITHER (A) HAS HAD A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD  INCOME  OF  LESS  THAN  FIFTY
 THOUSAND  DOLLARS  FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO
 THOUSAND NINETEEN,  AS  VERIFIED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  TAXATION  AND
 FINANCE;  OR  (B)  IS  ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE
 S. 8492--A                          4
 
 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP) OR THE   HOME ENERGY  ASSIST-
 ANCE PROGRAM (HEAP).
   §  4.  The public service law is amended by adding a new section 224-d
 to read as follows:
   § 224-D. CABLE DISCOUNT PROGRAM.  1.  (A)  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER
 PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE A
 TELEPHONE  CORPORATION,  AS  DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION SEVENTEEN OF SECTION
 TWO OF THIS CHAPTER, AND A  CABLE  TELEVISION  COMPANY,  AS  DEFINED  IN
 SECTION  TWO HUNDRED TWELVE OF THIS ARTICLE, THAT PROVIDES CABLE SERVICE
 TO CUSTOMERS IN NEW YORK, TO ESTABLISH A DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME
 SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY NO LATER  THAN  NINETY
 DAYS  AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER
 A YEARLY BENEFIT TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND  INDIVIDUALS  WITH  A
 DISABILITY  IN  THE  FORM  OF A TEN PERCENT DISCOUNT ON CABLE BILLS. THE
 FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND  SHALL
 NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY A TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELE-
 VISION COMPANY TO CUSTOMERS.
   (B)  A  TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY WHICH OFFERS
 SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAILABILITY AND
 AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT ON THE WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION  OR
 CABLE  TELEVISION  COMPANY. THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT
 SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE ACCESSIBILITY PAGE OF  THE
 WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY.
   (C)  PARTICIPATION IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY
 PROGRAM SHALL SATISFY THE TELEPHONE CORPORATION'S  OR  CABLE  TELEVISION
 COMPANY'S OBLIGATION TO ESTABLISH A DISCOUNT PROGRAM UNDER PARAGRAPH (A)
 OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
   (D)  BEFORE  APPLYING  A DISCOUNT UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
 SION, A TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION  COMPANY  MAY  REQUIRE
 PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY FROM THE PRIMARY NAMED ACCOUNTHOLDER FOR THE CALEN-
 DAR YEAR IN WHICH THE DISCOUNT IS SOUGHT.
   2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A)  "INDIVIDUALS  WITH A DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY NAMED TELE-
 PHONE SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER (I) WITH A DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN  SUBDI-
 VISION  TWENTY-ONE  OF  SECTION  TWO HUNDRED NINETY-TWO OF THE EXECUTIVE
 LAW; AND (II) WHO HAS HAD A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF  LESS  THAN  FIFTY
 THOUSAND  DOLLARS  FOR  THE MOST RECENT TWO CONSECUTIVE INCOME TAX YEARS
 BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF
 TAXATION  AND  FINANCE;  AND (III) WHO IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A) SOCIAL
 SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B) SUPPLEMENTAL  SECURITY  INCOME
 (SSI)  BENEFITS  UNDER  THE  FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, (C) DISABILITY
 PENSION OR DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED  BY  THE  UNITED
 STATES  DEPARTMENT  OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D) DISABILITY PENSION OR DISA-
 BILITY COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED  BY  THE  UNITED  STATES  POSTAL
 SERVICE,  OR  (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE OF RECEIVING DISA-
 BILITY BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME  PROGRAM  OR  THE
 SOCIAL  SECURITY  DISABILITY  PROGRAM  AND  CURRENTLY  RECEIVING MEDICAL
 ASSISTANCE BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS PROVIDED  IN
 SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; AND
   (B)  "LOW-INCOME  SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY NAMED TELEPHONE
 SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER WHO (I) IS AT LEAST SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF  AGE;  AND
 (II)  EITHER  (A)  HAS  HAD  A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY
 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING  IN  TWO
 THOUSAND  NINETEEN,  AS  VERIFIED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  TAXATION AND
 FINANCE; OR (B) IS ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO  RECEIVE  ASSISTANCE  UNDER  THE
 S. 8492--A                          5
 
 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP) OR THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE
 PROGRAM (HEAP).
   § 5. This act shall take effect immediately.

co-Sponsors

2021-S8492B (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Rules
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §§66-t, 89-q, 91-b & 224-d, Pub Serv L
Versions Introduced in 2023-2024 Legislative Session:: S1204

2021-S8492B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2021-S8492B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8492B

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to establishing
discount programs for low-income senior citizens and individuals with a
disability

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To provide a discount for senior citizens and disabled individuals in
the state of New York for such persons' utility bills.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 provides for the utility discount program. Authorizes and
directs the commission to require a gas corporation, electric corpo-
ration, or municipality to establish a discount program for low-income
senior citizens and individuals with a disability.  Delineates the
eligibility requirements for senior and disabled individuals.

Section 2 the water discount program. Authorizes and directs the commis-
sion to require water-works corporations and municipal water systems to
establish a discount program for low-income senior citizens and individ-
uals with a disability. Delineates the eligibility requirements for
senior and disabled individuals.

Section 3 provides the telephone discount program. Authorizes and
directs the commission to require telephone corporations to provide a
discount program for low-income senior citizens and individuals with a
disability. Delineates the eligibility requirements for senior and disa-
bled individuals

Section 4 provides for the cable television discount program.  Author-
izes and directs the commission to require telephone corporations and
cable television corporations to provide a discount program for low-in-
come senior citizens and individuals with a disability. Delineates the
eligibility requirements for senior and disabled individuals

Section 5 sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Assistance in meeting the rising cost of utility rates is essential for
senior citizens who face special difficulty in meeting the financial
demands. The recent bill surges on customer utility bills due to supply
side limits left many with bills 4 times higher than expected. A 10%
discount would provide some relief to senior citizens.

Utility rate increases currently take up a considerable amount of low-
income individuals' income, especially our senior citizens who are
living on fixed income. While supply costs and weather-related increases
in energy use are extracurricular elements, utility companies can use
the billing process as a tool to mitigate future supply cost volatility
for our most vulnerable customers.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None to the state.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect take effect immediately.

2021-S8492B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  8492--B
     Cal. No. 923
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 7, 2022
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sens. PARKER, CLEARE, GAUGHRAN -- read twice and ordered
   printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on  Energy
   and  Telecommunications  --  reported  favorably  from said committee,
   ordered to first and  second  report,  ordered  to  a  third  reading,
   amended  and  ordered  reprinted,  retaining its place in the order of
   third reading -- again amended and ordered  reprinted,  retaining  its
   place in the order of third reading
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend  the  public service law, in relation to establishing
   discount programs for low-income senior citizens and individuals  with
   a disability
 
   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-t to read as follows:
   §  66-T.  UTILITY DISCOUNT PROGRAM.   1. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
 PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE A
 GAS CORPORATION, ELECTRIC CORPORATION OR  MUNICIPALITY  TO  ESTABLISH  A
 DISCOUNT  PROGRAM  FOR LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A
 DISABILITY NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  THIS
 SECTION.  SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER A YEARLY BENEFIT TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR
 CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN  PERCENT
 DISCOUNT  ON  UTILITY BILLS. THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT
 BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY A  GAS
 CORPORATION, ELECTRIC CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY TO CUSTOMERS.
   (B)  A  GAS  CORPORATION,  ELECTRIC  CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY WHICH
 OFFERS SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL CONSPICUOUSLY  ADVERTISE  THE  AVAIL-
 ABILITY  AND  AMOUNT  OF SUCH DISCOUNT ON THE WEBSITE OF SUCH GAS CORPO-
 RATION, ELECTRIC  CORPORATION  OR  MUNICIPALITY.  THE  AVAILABILITY  AND
 AMOUNT  OF  SUCH  DISCOUNT SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE
 ACCESSIBILITY PAGE OF THE WEBSITE  OF  SUCH  GAS  CORPORATION,  ELECTRIC
 CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY.
   2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A) "INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY NAMED UTILITY
 SERVICE,  WATER  SERVICE,  OR TELEPHONE SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER (I) WITH A
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14944-04-2
 S. 8492--B                          2
 
 DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO  HUNDRED
 NINETY-TWO  OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; AND (II) WHO HAS HAD A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD
 INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND  DOLLARS  FOR  THE  MOST  RECENT  TWO
 CONSECUTIVE  INCOME  TAX  YEARS  BEGINNING  IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS
 VERIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE;  AND  (III)  WHO  IS
 CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A) SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B)
 SUPPLEMENTAL  SECURITY  INCOME  (SSI)  BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL SOCIAL
 SECURITY ACT, (C) DISABILITY PENSION OR DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS
 PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D)  DISA-
 BILITY  PENSION  OR  DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED BY THE
 UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE
 OF RECEIVING DISABILITY BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY  INCOME
 PROGRAM  OR THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROGRAM AND CURRENTLY RECEIV-
 ING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY  AS
 PROVIDED  IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW;
 AND
   (B) "LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN  A  PRIMARY  NAMED  UTILITY
 SERVICE, WATER SERVICE, OR TELEPHONE SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER WHO (I) IS AT
 LEAST  SIXTY-FIVE  YEARS  OF  AGE;  AND  (II) EITHER (A) HAS HAD A TOTAL
 HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE
 INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED BY  THE
 DEPARTMENT  OF  TAXATION  AND  FINANCE;  OR  (B) IS ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO
 RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM  (ERAP)
 OR  THE  HOME  ENERGY  ASSISTANCE  PROGRAM  (HEAP) AND PROVIDES PROOF OF
 ELIGIBILITY FROM THE AGENCY ADMINISTERING ERAP OR HEAP.
   § 2. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 89-q to
 read as follows:
   § 89-Q. WATER DISCOUNT  PROGRAM.  1.  (A)  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER
 PROVISION  OF  LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE
 WATERWORKS CORPORATIONS AND  MUNICIPAL  WATER  SYSTEMS  TO  ESTABLISH  A
 DISCOUNT  PROGRAM  FOR LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A
 DISABILITY NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  THIS
 SECTION.  SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER A YEARLY BENEFIT TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR
 CITIZENS  AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN PERCENT
 DISCOUNT ON WATER UTILITY BILLS. THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL
 NOT BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY  A
 WATERWORKS CORPORATION OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM TO CUSTOMERS.
   (B)  A  WATERWORKS  CORPORATION OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM WHICH OFFERS
 SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAILABILITY AND
 AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT ON THE WEBSITE OF SUCH  WATERWORKS  CORPORATIONS
 OR  MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM. THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT
 SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE ACCESSIBILITY PAGE OF  THE
 WEBSITE OF SUCH WATERWORKS CORPORATION OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM.
   2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A) "INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY NAMED UTILITY
 SERVICE,  WATER  SERVICE,  OR TELEPHONE SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER (I) WITH A
 DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO  HUNDRED
 NINETY-TWO  OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; AND (II) WHO HAS HAD A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD
 INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND  DOLLARS  FOR  THE  MOST  RECENT  TWO
 CONSECUTIVE  INCOME  TAX  YEARS  BEGINNING  IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS
 VERIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE;  AND  (III)  WHO  IS
 CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A) SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B)
 SUPPLEMENTAL  SECURITY  INCOME  (SSI)  BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL SOCIAL
 SECURITY ACT, (C) DISABILITY PENSION OR DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS
 PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D)  DISA-
 BILITY  PENSION  OR  DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED BY THE
 S. 8492--B                          3
 
 UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE
 OF RECEIVING DISABILITY BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY  INCOME
 PROGRAM  OR THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROGRAM AND CURRENTLY RECEIV-
 ING  MEDICAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS
 PROVIDED IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES  LAW;
 AND
   (B)  "LOW-INCOME  SENIOR  CITIZEN"  SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY NAMED UTILITY
 SERVICE, WATER SERVICE, OR TELEPHONE SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER WHO (I) IS AT
 LEAST SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE; AND (II)  EITHER  (A)  HAS  HAD  A  TOTAL
 HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE
 INCOME  TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED BY THE
 DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE;  OR  (B)  IS  ANNUALLY  ELIGIBLE  TO
 RECEIVE  ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP)
 OR THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE  PROGRAM  (HEAP)  AND  PROVIDES  PROOF  OF
 ELIGIBILITY FROM THE AGENCY ADMINISTERING ERAP OR HEAP.
   § 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 91-b to
 read as follows:
   §  91-B.  TELEPHONE DISCOUNT PROGRAM. 1. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
 PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE A
 TELEPHONE CORPORATION TO ESTABLISH A  DISCOUNT  PROGRAM  FOR  LOW-INCOME
 SENIOR  CITIZENS  AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY NO LATER THAN NINETY
 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL  OFFER
 A  YEARLY  BENEFIT  TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A
 DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN PERCENT DISCOUNT ON TELEPHONE BILLS. THE
 FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND  SHALL
 NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY A TELEPHONE CORPORATION TO CUSTOMERS.
   (B)  A  TELEPHONE CORPORATION WHICH OFFERS SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL
 CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT  ON
 THE  WEBSITE  OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION. THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT
 OF SUCH DISCOUNT SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE  ACCESSI-
 BILITY PAGE OF THE WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION.
   (C)  PARTICIPATION  IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S LIFELINE OR AFFORDABLE
 CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM, OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROGRAM THE COMMISSION SHALL DEEM
 SUFFICIENT, SHALL SATISFY  THE  TELEPHONE  CORPORATION'S  OBLIGATION  TO
 ESTABLISH  A  DISCOUNT  PROGRAM UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION,
 UNLESS THE COMMISSION  DEEMS  IT INSUFFICIENT TO SATISFY  SUCH  REQUIRE-
 MENTS.
   (D)  BEFORE  APPLYING  A DISCOUNT UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
 SION, A TELEPHONE CORPORATION MAY REQUIRE PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY FROM  THE
 PRIMARY  NAMED ACCOUNTHOLDER FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR IN WHICH THE DISCOUNT
 IS SOUGHT.
   2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A) "INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY NAMED UTILITY
 SERVICE, WATER SERVICE, OR TELEPHONE SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER  (I)  WITH  A
 DISABILITY,  AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED
 NINETY-TWO OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; AND (II) WHO HAS HAD A TOTAL  HOUSEHOLD
 INCOME  OF  LESS  THAN  FIFTY  THOUSAND  DOLLARS FOR THE MOST RECENT TWO
 CONSECUTIVE INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING  IN  TWO  THOUSAND  NINETEEN,  AS
 VERIFIED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; AND (III) WHO IS
 CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A) SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B)
 SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) BENEFITS  UNDER  THE  FEDERAL  SOCIAL
 SECURITY ACT, (C) DISABILITY PENSION OR DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS
 PROVIDED  BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D) DISA-
 BILITY PENSION OR  DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED  BY  THE
 UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE
 OF  RECEIVING DISABILITY BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
 S. 8492--B                          4
 
 PROGRAM OR THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROGRAM AND CURRENTLY  RECEIV-
 ING  MEDICAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS
 PROVIDED IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES  LAW;
 AND
   (B)  "LOW-INCOME  SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY NAMED TELEPHONE
 SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER WHO (I) IS AT LEAST SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF  AGE;  AND
 (II)  EITHER  (A)  HAS  HAD  A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY
 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING  IN  TWO
 THOUSAND  NINETEEN,  AS  VERIFIED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  TAXATION AND
 FINANCE; OR (B) IS ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO  RECEIVE  ASSISTANCE  UNDER  THE
 EMERGENCY  RENTAL  ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP) OR THE  HOME ENERGY ASSIST-
 ANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) AND PROVIDES PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY  FROM  THE  AGENCY
 ADMINISTERING ERAP OR HEAP.
   §  4.  The public service law is amended by adding a new section 224-d
 to read as follows:
   § 224-D. CABLE DISCOUNT PROGRAM.  1.  (A)  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER
 PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE A
 TELEPHONE  CORPORATION,  AS  DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION SEVENTEEN OF SECTION
 TWO OF THIS CHAPTER, AND A  CABLE  TELEVISION  COMPANY,  AS  DEFINED  IN
 SECTION  TWO HUNDRED TWELVE OF THIS ARTICLE, THAT PROVIDES CABLE SERVICE
 TO CUSTOMERS IN NEW YORK, TO ESTABLISH A DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME
 SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY NO LATER  THAN  NINETY
 DAYS  AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER
 A YEARLY BENEFIT TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND  INDIVIDUALS  WITH  A
 DISABILITY  IN  THE  FORM  OF A TEN PERCENT DISCOUNT ON CABLE BILLS. THE
 FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND  SHALL
 NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY A TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELE-
 VISION COMPANY TO CUSTOMERS.
   (B)  A  TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY WHICH OFFERS
 SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAILABILITY AND
 AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT ON THE WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION  OR
 CABLE  TELEVISION  COMPANY. THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT
 SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE ACCESSIBILITY PAGE OF  THE
 WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY.
   (C)  PARTICIPATION  IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S LIFELINE OR AFFORDABLE
 CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM, OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROGRAM THE COMMISSION SHALL DEEM
 SUFFICIENT, SHALL SATISFY THE TELEPHONE  CORPORATION'S  OR  CABLE  TELE-
 VISION  COMPANY'S OBLIGATION TO ESTABLISH A DISCOUNT PROGRAM UNDER PARA-
 GRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, UNLESS THE COMMISSION DEEMS  IT  INSUFFI-
 CIENT TO SATISFY SUCH REQUIREMENTS.
   (D)  BEFORE  APPLYING  A DISCOUNT UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
 SION, A TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION  COMPANY  MAY  REQUIRE
 PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY FROM THE PRIMARY NAMED ACCOUNTHOLDER FOR THE CALEN-
 DAR YEAR IN WHICH THE DISCOUNT IS SOUGHT.
   2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A) "INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PRIMARY NAMED UTILITY
 SERVICE,  WATER  SERVICE,  OR TELEPHONE SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER (I) WITH A
 DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO  HUNDRED
 NINETY-TWO  OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; AND (II) WHO HAS HAD A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD
 INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND  DOLLARS  FOR  THE  MOST  RECENT  TWO
 CONSECUTIVE  INCOME  TAX  YEARS  BEGINNING  IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS
 VERIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE;  AND  (III)  WHO  IS
 CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A) SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B)
 SUPPLEMENTAL  SECURITY  INCOME  (SSI)  BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL SOCIAL
 SECURITY ACT, (C) DISABILITY PENSION OR DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS
 PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D)  DISA-
 S. 8492--B                          5
 
 BILITY  PENSION  OR  DISABILITY  COMPENSATION  BENEFITS  PROVIDED BY THE
 UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE
 OF RECEIVING DISABILITY BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY  INCOME
 PROGRAM  OR THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROGRAM AND CURRENTLY RECEIV-
 ING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY  AS
 PROVIDED  IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW;
 AND
   (B) "LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN  A  PRIMARY  NAMED  UTILITY
 SERVICE, WATER SERVICE, OR TELEPHONE SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER WHO (I) IS AT
 LEAST  SIXTY-FIVE  YEARS  OF  AGE;  AND  (II) EITHER (A) HAS HAD A TOTAL
 HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE
 INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED BY  THE
 DEPARTMENT  OF  TAXATION  AND  FINANCE;  OR  (B) IS ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO
 RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM  (ERAP)
 OR  THE  HOME  ENERGY  ASSISTANCE  PROGRAM  (HEAP) AND PROVIDES PROOF OF
 ELIGIBILITY FROM THE AGENCY ADMINISTERING ERAP OR HEAP.
   § 5. This act shall take effect immediately.

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Senate Bill S8492B

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Sponsored By

Kevin S. Parker

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Rules Committee

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

Cordell Cleare

James Gaughran

2021-S8492 - Details

2021-S8492 - Summary

2021-S8492 - Sponsor Memo

2021-S8492 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

Cordell Cleare

James Gaughran

2021-S8492A - Details

2021-S8492A - Summary

2021-S8492A - Sponsor Memo

2021-S8492A - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

Cordell Cleare

James Gaughran

2021-S8492B (ACTIVE) - Details

2021-S8492B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2021-S8492B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2021-S8492B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments