NY State Senate Bill S1851A

Current Bill Status - Passed Senate

Introduced
In Committee
On Floor Calendar
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
Delivered to Governor
Signed/Vetoed by Governor

Your Voice

Please enter your contact information

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

A valid email address is required.

Home address search or enter your address manually *

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.

Leave this field blank

Actions

view actions (14)

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
May 18, 2023	referred to ways and means returned to assembly repassed senate
Apr 26, 2023	amended on third reading 1851a
Apr 26, 2023	vote reconsidered - restored to third reading returned to senate recalled from assembly
Mar 23, 2023	referred to corporations, authorities and commissions delivered to assembly passed senate
Feb 06, 2023	advanced to third reading
Feb 01, 2023	2nd report cal.
Jan 31, 2023	1st report cal.231
Jan 17, 2023	referred to energy and telecommunications

Votes

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

Original

A (Active)

Co-Sponsors

S1851 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A888
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §39, Pub Serv L
Versions Introduced in 2021-2022 Legislative Session:: S9469, A10511

S1851 - Summary

Permits the rendering of an estimated bill from a utility corporation or municipality under certain circumstances; requires each utility corporation and municipality within six months to submit to the commission a model procedure for the calculation of estimated bills that incorporates best practices and technology and accounts for any barriers to the use of actual meter readings.

S1851 - Sponsor Memo

 
BILL NUMBER: S1851

SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to permitting the
rendering of an estimated bill from a utility corporation or munici-
pality under certain circumstances

 
PURPOSE:

To protect ratepayers from excessive fluctuations by requiring actual
meter readings in most instances in utility bills from month-to-month
and requiring the Public Service Commission (PSC) to institute a best
practices estimation formula that can be used as a utility industry
standard in New York State for statutorily accepted instances of bill
estimation

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: A new subdivision is added to require actual meter readings
for billing purposes with the exception of statutorily accepted

instances of bill estimation, AND; the PSC shall require each utility
corporatkwi and municipality within six months to submit to the commis-
sion a model procedure for the calculation of estimated bills that
incorporates best practices and technology and accounts for any bathers
to the use of actual meter readings. On or before November first, two
thousand twenty-three, the commission shall promulgate rules and regu-
lations to incorporate and adopt such model procedures for utility
corporations and municipalities.

Section 2: Effective Date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

As home heating and cooling costs continue to Increase, and while many
are still facing the financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandem-
ic, it is imperative that we give ratepayers as much stability as possi-
ble in their month-over-month utility bills. There are widespread
reports that utility companies are relying heavily on estimated billing
practices causing excessively high swings in bills month to month, often
to the difference of hundreds of dollars in additional unforeseen, and
regularly inaccurate, costs. The fact is, many ratepayers can't afford
such high estimations, especially when they're not based on previous
usage data and when utility prices are already rising. For many house-
holds, these bills far exceed their monthly budgets, causing people to
choose between paying their utility bills and other important expenses,
with the underlying issue that these ratepayers don't even end up owing
these significantly higher bills.

This legislation seelcs to protect ratepayers from excessive fluctu-
ations by requiring utilty bills to reflect actual month-over-month
meter readings, and requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to
institute a best practices estimation formula that can be used as a
utility industry standard In New York State for statutorily accepted
instances of bill estimation.

This is an opportunity to create long-term employment opportunities that
would be required to collect accurate monthly energy usage now, with an
eye towards retraining this workforce for future jobs in the energy
delivery sector, as needed. This is a win for ratepayers and an invest-
ment in our local economies by creating more reliable, good-paying jobs.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

06/02/22

S9469 - referred to corporation, authorities and commissions

 
FISCAL IMPACT:

None to state.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

S1851 - Bill Text download pdf

 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   1851
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 17, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. HINCHEY -- 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 permitting the
   rendering of an estimated bill from a utility corporation  or  munici-
   pality under certain circumstances

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 39 of the public service  law,  as
 amended  by chapter 686 of the laws of 2002, is amended and a new subdi-
 vision 1-a is added to read as follows:
   1. A utility corporation or municipality may, in accordance with  such
 requirements as the commission may impose by regulation, render an esti-
 mated  bill  for  any  billing period if: (a) the procedure used by such
 utility  or  municipality  for  calculating  estimated  bills  has  been
 approved  by  the  commission, and the bill clearly indicates that it is
 based on an estimated reading and (b) the utility owning the  meter  and
 providing  the  meter  reading  data on which the estimated bill will be
 based or the municipality has made reasonable effort to obtain an actual
 meter reading or (c) circumstances beyond the control of the utility  or
 municipality  made an actual reading of the meter extremely difficult or
 (d) circumstances indicate a reported reading is likely to be erroneous,
 or (e) an estimated reading is prescribed or authorized by  the  commis-
 sion for a billing period between periods when actual meter readings are
 scheduled  or  for  seasonal  or  short term customers.   OUTSIDE OF THE
 AFOREMENTIONED CRITERIA FOR ESTIMATED BILLING PURSUANT TO THIS  SECTION,
 ALL  OTHER  BILLS SHALL USE ACTUAL METER READINGS, HOWEVER SUCH READINGS
 MAY BE OBTAINED.
   1-A. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE EACH UTILITY CORPORATION AND MUNICI-
 PALITY WITHIN SIX MONTHS TO SUBMIT TO THE COMMISSION A  MODEL  PROCEDURE
 FOR  THE CALCULATION OF ESTIMATED BILLS THAT INCORPORATES BEST PRACTICES
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD02154-01-3

 S. 1851                             2
 
 AND TECHNOLOGY AND ACCOUNTS FOR ANY BARRIERS TO THE USE OF ACTUAL  METER
 READINGS.  ON  OR  BEFORE  NOVEMBER FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR, THE
 COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND  REGULATIONS  TO  INCORPORATE  AND
 ADOPT SUCH MODEL PROCEDURES FOR UTILITY CORPORATIONS AND MUNICIPALITIES.
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

Co-Sponsors

S1851A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A888
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §39, Pub Serv L
Versions Introduced in 2021-2022 Legislative Session:: S9469, A10511

S1851A (ACTIVE) - Summary

S1851A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

 
BILL NUMBER: S1851A

SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to permitting the
rendering of an estimated bill from a utility corporation or munici-
pality under certain circumstances

 
PURPOSE:

To protect ratepayers from excessive fluctuations by requiring actual
meter readings in most instances in utility bills from month-to-month
and requiring the Public Service Commission (PSC) to institute a best
practices estimation formula that can be used as a utility industry
standard in New York State for statutorily accepted instances of bill
estimation

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: A new subdivision is added to require actual meter readings
for billing purposes with the exception of statutorily accepted

instances of bill estimation, AND; the PSC shall require each utility
corporation and municipality within six months to submit to the commis-
sion a model procedure for the calculation of estimated bills that
incorporates best practices and technology and accounts for any bathers
to the use of actual meter readings. On or before November first, two
thousand twenty-three, the commission shall promulgate rules and regu-
lations to incorporate and adopt such model procedures for utility
corporations and municipalities.

Section 2: Effective Date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

As home heating and cooling costs continue to Increase, and while many
are still facing the financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandem-
ic, it is imperat ve we give ratepayers as much stability as possible in
their month-over-month utility bills. There are widespread reports that
utility companies are relying heavily on estimated billing practices
causing excessively high swings in bills month to month, often to the
difference of hundreds of dollars in additional unforeseen, and regular-
ly inaccurate costs. The fact is, many ratepayers can't afford such high
estimations, especially when they're not based on previous usage data
and when utility prices are already rising. For many house- holds, these
bills far exceed their monthly budgets, causing people to choose between
paying their utility bills and other important expenses, with the under-
lying issue that these ratepayers don't even end up owing these signif-
icantly higher bills.

This legislation seeks to protect ratepayers from excessive fluctuations
by requiring utility bills to reflect actual month-over-month meter
readings, and requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to institute
a best practices estimation formula that can be used as a utility indus-
try standard In New York State for statutorily accepted instances of
bill estimation.

This is an opportunity to create long-term employment opportunities that
would be required to collect accurate monthly energy usage now, with an
eye towards retraining this workforce for future jobs in the energy
delivery sector, as needed. This is a win for ratepayers and an invest-
ment in our local economies by creating more reliable, good-paying jobs.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

06/02/22

S9469 - referred to corporation, authorities and commissions

 
FISCAL IMPACT:

None to state.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

S1851A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  1851--A
     Cal. No. 231
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 17, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sens.  HINCHEY,  LIU,  MURRAY  -- 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, passed
   by Senate and delivered to the Assembly, recalled, vote  reconsidered,
   restored  to  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  permitting  the
   rendering  of  an estimated bill from a utility corporation or munici-
   pality under certain circumstances
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Subdivision 1 of section 39 of the public service law, as
 amended by chapter 686 of the laws of 2002, is amended and a new  subdi-
 vision 1-a is added to read as follows:
   1.  A utility corporation or municipality may, in accordance with such
 requirements as the commission may impose by regulation, render an esti-
 mated bill for any billing period if: (a) the  procedure  used  by  such
 utility  or  municipality  for  calculating  estimated  bills  has  been
 approved by the commission, and the bill clearly indicates  that  it  is
 based  on  an estimated reading and (b) the utility owning the meter and
 providing the meter reading data on which the  estimated  bill  will  be
 based or the municipality has made reasonable effort to obtain an actual
 meter  reading or (c) circumstances beyond the control of the utility or
 municipality made an actual reading of the meter extremely difficult  or
 (d) circumstances indicate a reported reading is likely to be erroneous,
 or  (e)  an estimated reading is prescribed or authorized by the commis-
 sion for a billing period between periods when actual meter readings are
 scheduled or for seasonal or short  term  customers.    OUTSIDE  OF  THE
 AFOREMENTIONED  CRITERIA FOR ESTIMATED BILLING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION,
 ALL OTHER BILLS SHALL USE ACTUAL METER READINGS, HOWEVER  SUCH  READINGS
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD02154-05-3
 S. 1851--A                          2
 
 MAY  BE  OBTAINED,  PROVIDED  THAT SUCH READINGS ARE TAKEN IN ACCORDANCE
 WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.  TO  THE  EXTENT  PRACTICABLE,  ANY
 ADDITIONAL  COSTS  REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE ACTUAL METER READINGS PURSUANT TO
 THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL NOT BE PASSED ONTO THE CUSTOMER.
   1-A. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE EACH UTILITY CORPORATION AND MUNICI-
 PALITY  WITHIN  SIX MONTHS TO SUBMIT TO THE COMMISSION A MODEL PROCEDURE
 FOR THE CALCULATION OF ESTIMATED BILLS THAT INCORPORATES BEST  PRACTICES
 AND  TECHNOLOGY AND ACCOUNTS FOR ANY BARRIERS TO THE USE OF ACTUAL METER
 READINGS. ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER FIRST,  TWO  THOUSAND  TWENTY-FOUR,  THE
 COMMISSION  SHALL  PROMULGATE  RULES  AND REGULATIONS TO INCORPORATE AND
 ADOPT SUCH MODEL PROCEDURES FOR UTILITY CORPORATIONS AND MUNICIPALITIES.
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

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.

The New York State Senate

senate Bill S1851A

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - Passed Senate

Your Voice

Actions

Votes

May 18, 2023 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: May 18, 2023

Mar 23, 2023 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: Mar 23, 2023

Jan 31, 2023 - Energy and Telecommunications committee Vote

Committee Vote: Jan 31, 2023

Bill Amendments

Co-Sponsors

S1851 - Details

S1851 - Summary

S1851 - Sponsor Memo

S1851 - Bill Text download pdf

Co-Sponsors

S1851A (ACTIVE) - Details

S1851A (ACTIVE) - Summary

S1851A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

S1851A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

senate Bill S1851A

Share this bill

Sponsored By

Michelle Hinchey

Current Bill Status - Passed Senate

Your Voice

Actions

Votes

May 18, 2023 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: May 18, 2023

Mar 23, 2023 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: Mar 23, 2023

Jan 31, 2023 - Energy and Telecommunications committee Vote

Committee Vote: Jan 31, 2023

Bill Amendments

Co-Sponsors

John C. Liu

Dean Murray

S1851 - Details

S1851 - Summary

S1851 - Sponsor Memo

S1851 - Bill Text download pdf

Co-Sponsors

John C. Liu

Dean Murray

Rob Rolison

S1851A (ACTIVE) - Details

S1851A (ACTIVE) - Summary

S1851A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

S1851A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments