S2253

Senate Print 2253, sponsored by Senator Comrie, was laid aside during floor consideration. The bill would have amended the Public Service Law. No debate or vote occurred on the measure.

The New York State Senate passed legislation requiring the Public Service Commission to develop a standardized formula for calculating residential water costs and publish reports on rates charged by waterworks corporations. The bill, S2253, sponsored by Sen. Comrie, passed 52-5 on a roll call vote. Comrie said the measure responds to constituent complaints about opaque water billing and wide rate disparities across municipalities. The bill directs the PSC to do the analytical work rather than imposing new burdens on municipalities themselves. However, Sen. Martins of Long Island, while supporting the transparency goal, voted against the measure and raised concerns that the PSC lacks statutory authority over municipal utilities and water districts, and that municipalities may face unexpected compliance costs from reporting to an agency that does not normally oversee them. Martins urged stakeholder consultation before implementation. Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Helming, Tedisco, and Walczyk also voted against the bill. Comrie acknowledged Martins' concerns in his closing remarks and expressed confidence the PSC could develop the formula without imposing unintended mandates on local governments.