Senate Bill S3676

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S3676

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the real property law, in relation to the definition of
residence and residential real property

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Provides that the NYC Water Board shall not establish a limit of less
than six years to challenge any service charges for the use of or
services furnished by the board.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends Public Authorities Law section 1045-q to establish a
six year statute of limitations commencing from the date of the bill to
challenge water and sewer bills from New York City Water Board.

 
JUSTIFICATION:
              

Four years is not adequate time for a customer to file a complaint with
respect to a water or sewer bill. The six-year time limit has been
applicable since the inception of the New York City Water Board's
authority and should be continued. Six years is the normal statute of
limitations to utility customers throughout the state.  There continues
to be substantial confusion concerning the application of metered or
frontage rates, caps on metered bills and leak forgiveness. The water
and sewerage bills are complicated by the transition to meters and the
changing rates and regulations. The New York City Water Board has placed
no similar limitation of its ability to collect unpaid charges and to
place a limitation on the customer is unfair. The Water Board not the
customer has control of the meter.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2024: S2435

2022: S5533

2019: A3081

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the State.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect. immediately.