Senate Bill S8416

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8416

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring utility
corporations and municipalities include in an email regarding a bill for
service the amount owed on such bill for service

 
PURPOSE:

To require utility corporations and municipalities to include the total
amount owed on a bill for their services in any email related to bill-
ing.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends Section 44 of the public service law by adding a new
subdivision 7. Requires every utility corporation or municipality to
include the total amount owed by the customer on a bill for service on
emails related to billing. The total amount must be displayed prominent-
ly within the body of the email and must be easily visible to the
              

customer.

Section 2: Sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Many New Yorkers prefer electronic billing from their utility companies,
receiving bills through email notifications. However, some utilities
send email notifications that require multiple clicks, including a sign-
in process, in order to view the total bill amount.  Navigating this
online process can be frustrating and confusing, leading customers to
potentially overlook their total bill.

This proposed bill aims to enhance consumer awareness by mandating that
customers receive clear and easily identifiable information about the
total amount owed for utility services directly within the email, if
billing emails are sent to customers. By requiring utility corporations
and municipalities to include the total amount owed in the email, this
legislation seeks to ensure billing accuracy and empower customers to
make well-informed decisions about their payments.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.