S1847

The New York State Senate passed S1847, an act to amend the Public Service Law, by a vote of 52-6 on Calendar Number 141. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Comrie, requires the Public Service Commission to consider the economic impact of utility rates and charges. During floor debate, Sen. Walczyk proposed an amendment that would have returned approximately $2.2 billion in uncommitted funds from NYSERDA's Climate Investment Account directly to ratepayers as bill credits, arguing the surplus should provide immediate relief to New Yorkers struggling with escalating energy costs. Acting President Cooney ruled the amendment nongermane under Senate Rule 6, Section 4B, citing lack of germaneness to the bill-in-chief. Sen. Walczyk appealed the ruling, contending the amendment was germane because the underlying bill requires PSC consideration of economic impacts and the amendment directly addresses ratepayer burden by returning idle funds collected through clean energy surcharges. The appeal failed on a show of hands vote of 21 ayes, sustaining the chair's ruling. Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Palumbo, Walczyk, Weber, and Weik voted against final passage of the bill.

The Senate passed legislation to amend the Public Service Law on a 54-6 roll call vote. Sponsored by Sen. Comrie, the bill (S1847, Calendar 146) takes effect immediately. Six senators voted in opposition: Sens. Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Palumbo, Walczyk, Weber and Weik. No debate was recorded on the measure.