S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1126
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 9, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SANTABARBARA -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Energy
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring legis-
lative approval of increases in utility charges
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "utility
ratepayer protection act".
§ 2. Subdivision 12 of section 66 of the public service law is
amended by adding a new paragraph (b-1) to read as follows:
(B-1) NO CHANGE SHALL BE MADE IN ANY RATE OR CHARGE, WHICH SHALL HAVE
BEEN FILED BY A UTILITY IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN ORDER OF THE COMMISSION,
WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE BY A MAJORITY VOTE
IN EACH HOUSE. THE UTILITY SHALL SUBMIT A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE LEGISLA-
TURE AT LEAST ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE WHEN ANY
PROPOSED INCREASE IN FEES, RENTALS AND CHARGES FOR THE PROVISION OF
SERVICES BY THE UTILITY IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE EFFECT. SUCH REPORT SHALL
INCLUDE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PROPOSED INCREASE, AND INFORMATION SETTING
FORTH THE CURRENT FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE UTILITY. THE LEGISLATURE
MAY REQUIRE ANY ADDITIONAL DATA OR INFORMATION THAT IT DEEMS NECESSARY.
IF THE LEGISLATURE, OR THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES THEREOF, FINDS THAT
THE PROPOSED INCREASES ARE NOT NECESSARY TO PRODUCE SUFFICIENT REVENUE
TO MEET THE EXPENSE OF THE PROVISION OF SERVICES, INCLUDING THE MAINTE-
NANCE AND OPERATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE, THEN NO PROPOSED INCREASE SHALL
TAKE EFFECT UNTIL APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF EACH HOUSE OF THE
LEGISLATURE.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03433-01-5