Senate Bill S8935

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8935

SPONSOR: OBERACKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring
detailed billing for utilities and requiring utility providers to attend
local municipal meetings to present proposed rate or charge increases

 
PURPOSE:

Requires utility providers to issue detailed, itemized billing and to
attend local municipal meetings when proposing rate or charge increases.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1, subdivision 12-a of section 66 of the public service law, as
added by chapter 527 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows:
The commission shall require bills utilized by public and private gas
corporations, electric corporations and gas and electric corporations in
levying charges for service, to additionally include a full itemization
of all charges.
              

Section 2: Subdivision 12 of section 66 of the public service law is
amended by adding paragraph (m) to read as follows: In addition to the
requirements of paragraph (b) of this subdivision, the commission shall
require every utility proposing an increase in any rate or charge to
attend no less than three public municipal meetings per county that will
be impacted by such proposed increase. A utility subject to the
provisions of this paragraph shall include a notice of upcoming munici-
pal meetings which the utility is attending to present a proposed rate
or charge increase with the bill of every customer impacted by such
proposed increase.

Section 3, Subdivision 1 of section 44 of the public service law, as
added by chapter 713 of the laws of 1981, is amended to read as follows:
Every utility corporation or municipality shall assure that bills for
service to residential customers (adequately) explain in detail the
charges for service in clear and understandable form and language. The
commission (may) shall, from time to time, specify the form and content
of such bills to further the objectives of this subdivision.

 
EXISTING LAW:

Click here

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New Yorkers are currently facing high and increasing electricity prices
in the nation and these costs continue to rise. According to recent data
from the Empire Center, the average residential electricity price in New
York reached 26.95 cents per kilowatt-hour - almost 50 percent higher
than the national average and among the top ten highest in the country.
Prices also increased 7.6 percent compared to the previous year,
surpassing national growth and making energy less affordable for house-
holds, farms, and small businesses.

At the same time, many utility customers struggle to understand their
monthly bills. Current billing statements often contain consolidated
charges without clear explanations of what each line item represents.
This makes it extremely difficult for customers to determine how their
charges are calculated or to identify any errors.

Every utility customer in New York deserves clear information about what
they are being charged and why. Detailed, itemized billing will allow
customers to better understand their utility costs and to make informed
decisions about usage and consumption.  In addition, when utility compa-
nies propose increases to rates or charges, affected communities should
have the opportunity to hear directly from the providers and ask ques-
tions in a public forum.  Requiring utility companies to attend local
municipal meetings before implementing proposed increases will promote
transparency and accountability. This allows municipal leaders and resi-
dents to engage in meaningful discussion on issues that directly impact
their finances.

This legislation strengthens protections for utility ratepayers by
ensuring clear communication, greater transparency, and public engage-
ment in the rate-setting process. All New Yorkers, as consumers and
taxpayers, deserve utility service that is clear and fair.

https://www.empirecenter.org/publications/empire- center-warns-of-sharp-
increase- in-new-yorkelectricity-prices/

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become law.