S904A

The New York State Senate voted to reconsider its previous passage of S904A, a bill amending the Public Service Law, on a roll call vote of 54-0. Sen. Gianaris, the bill's sponsor, moved for reconsideration and subsequently offered amendments to the legislation. The bill was restored to the Third Reading Calendar following the successful reconsideration vote. The specific nature of the amendments offered by Sen. Gianaris was not detailed in the floor discussion.

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would shield residential utility customers from late fees, penalties, and service termination during formal Public Service Commission investigations into billing practices, with the measure advancing on a 39-21 party-line vote. Senate Print 904A, sponsored by Sen. Gonzalez, would impose a 120-day moratorium on such charges following the conclusion of PSC investigations into utility companies. The bill applies only when formal investigations are triggered by credible complaints from 25 or more customers or municipal officials alleging systemic billing issues. Sen. Walczyk led Republican opposition, arguing the bill could allow customers to avoid paying bills for up to 15 months—11 months during a typical rate case plus 120 days after—while utilities already carry $1.3 billion in arrears. He contended the real problem is state energy policy, not utilities, and questioned how companies could function without collecting revenue. Sen. Gonzalez countered that the bill addresses only significant investigations into overcharges, not routine rate cases, and cited the 2021 Central Hudson case where 8,000 customers were incorrectly billed. She emphasized utilities would be made whole if investigations rule in their favor. Sen. Krueger supported the measure, noting constituents struggle with utility affordability and risk losing electricity or heat, and argued the government has an obligation to ensure utilities follow rules. Sen. Tedisco opposed it, proposing instead that the Senate ratify rate increases to make legislators directly accountable for energy costs.