Asm. Didi Barrett

Noted the bill incorporates incentives to address recruitment and retention challenges and thanked the sponsor for including provisions from her own legislation.

Assemblymember Palmesano noted he had similar legislation and suggested combining the two bills into one, but the proposal was declined. He expressed support for the bill as presented.

Sponsor described the bill as a clarification requiring manufactured home park owners to provide written justification and documentation when notifying residents of rent or fee increases exceeding 3 percent, showing costs and work that justify the increase.

Sponsor explained the bill requires manufactured home park owners to provide written justification when notifying residents of rent or fee increases exceeding 3 percent, with documentation available upon request showing costs and work justifying the increase.

The bill requires NYSERDA to develop a comprehensive electric vehicle fast charging station implementation plan through a working group. The bill has been introduced for three consecutive years and passed the Assembly each time; the Governor vetoed the 2024 version as a study bill. This version extends the working group timeline from six to 24 months and incorporates findings from a 2024 budget-mandated fast charger evaluation to prevent duplication. Debate centered on whether the bill constitutes a study, whether NYSERDA needs legislative mandate, current EV market penetration, and whether adequate data exists on charging station gaps and utilization rates.

Assemblymember Walsh expressed support for the bill, noting that it increases transparency with NYSERDA by expanding the list of individuals who will receive the annual report to include the chairpersons of the respective energy committees in each House of the Legislature. She stated the bill does not increase the amount or type of reporting required, but ensures more individuals receive important information about NYSERDA's activities, revenues, and contracts.

Asm. DiPietro opposed the bill on the grounds that mandating apprenticeship program participation for small subcontractors (two- or three-person businesses) is overly burdensome, particularly in his district where such firms perform specialized work on large projects.

Sponsor explained the bill stems from a Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress study recommending transparency standards because pricing information at charging stations was not always clearly displayed, with increasing EVs on the road making this important.

The bill adds an important consumer protection voice to the Energy Planning Board, which has lacked such representation since 2012 when the Consumer Protection Board was eliminated.

Sponsor explained the bill extends the working group's timeline from six months to 24 months and incorporates findings from a fast-charger highway and freight corridors needs evaluation to prevent duplicative work. She defended the working group composition, stating that municipal organizations, utilities, environmental groups, and charging developers provide adequate representation and that NYISO involvement is unnecessary given utility representation.

The bill provides tools to address challenges ahead and ensures grid reliability while meeting CLCPA goals by bringing all stakeholders together and providing necessary data.

Debate focused on the composition of the proposed Fast Charge NY Working Group. Minority members criticized the lack of Republican appointments to the working group, arguing that the Minority represents one-third of New York's population and should have representation on committees addressing major policy changes. Supporters acknowledged the need for comprehensive EV charging planning but expressed concerns that the working group consisted primarily of stakeholders with vested interests in spending taxpayer money, lacking representation from taxpayers, NYSERDA, or consumer groups like AAA. Sponsor Barrett defended the working group composition as designed to ensure diverse perspectives on environmental justice and charging infrastructure.

Sponsor explained the bill establishes a rebate program for previously owned zero-emission vehicles, extending vehicle life rather than promoting new purchases. Program sunsets in 2029 and is funded through NYSERDA discretionary funds from RGGI and PSC-related sources.