S7165A

The Senate passed S7165A, sponsored by Sen. Hinchey, an act to amend the Public Service Law, on a 42-20 roll call vote. The bill, which takes effect immediately, received support from a majority of the chamber. Twenty senators voted in opposition, including Sens. Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik. No floor debate was recorded on the measure prior to the vote.

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would allow the Public Service Commission to consider mental anguish and pain and suffering when determining penalties against utilities found to have engaged in egregious conduct. The bill, S7165A, sponsored by Sen. Hinchey, passed 40-20 on a largely party-line vote. The measure emerged from a broader utility affordability package and was prompted by the Central Hudson billing crisis in the Hudson Valley, where constituents reported severe hardship including inability to pay mortgages and rent. Sen. Walczyk and other Republicans opposed the bill, arguing that undefined terms like "mental anguish" could lead to increased costs passed to all ratepayers and that the measure won't address New York's electricity rates, which are 40 percent higher than Pennsylvania's. Sen. Hinchey countered that penalties would be paid by utilities under Public Service Law Section 25 and would only apply in cases of egregious utility misconduct. Sen. Krueger defended the bill and disputed Republican claims that the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act drives rate increases, citing PSC studies showing CLCPA adds minimal costs to monthly bills.