New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S02258

Introduced
1/16/25  
Refer
1/16/25  

Caption

Requires every utility corporation or municipality who sends an emergency notice to customers to make available and provide such notice in English, Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, French, Urdu, Russian, Yiddish, Korean, Bangla, Polish, Italian, Hindi and Tagalog.

Impact

If enacted, S02258 will amend the public service law to require utility companies to provide emergency notices not only in English but also in languages identified as prevalent in the community. These languages include Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Mandarin, Cantonese, and several others, aiming to represent New York's numerous linguistic groups. The bill's implementation is expected to improve customer service and enhance safety by ensuring that all customers have access to important utility information.

Summary

Bill S02258 aims to enhance communication between utility corporations or municipalities and their customers by mandating that emergency notices be provided in multiple languages. The bill recognizes the diversity of New York's population and seeks to ensure that critical information regarding utilities, such as service interruptions or terminations, is effectively communicated to all residents, regardless of their primary language. This initiative is particularly significant in urban areas where many residents may have limited proficiency in English.

Contention

While the bill has widespread support from advocacy groups representing non-English speaking communities, it may face challenges in terms of implementation. Critics might argue about the potential cost implications for utility companies associated with translating and disseminating information in multiple languages. There may also be concerns about how to effectively identify the languages that are most relevant in different areas of the state, which could lead to inconsistencies in communication if not managed properly.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NY S08710

Prohibits utility corporations and municipalities from increasing a bill previously rendered to a small non-residential customer after twelve months from the date service was provided; provides limited exceptions to such prohibition; requires the utility corporation or municipality to provide notice regarding the late billing.

NY A06326

Requires gas and electric corporations to provide forty-five days' notice to customers whenever there is a service rate or charge increase.

NY S09835

Requires gas and electric corporations to provide thirty days' notice to customers whenever there is a service rate or charge increase.

NY A10928

Requires gas and electric corporations to provide thirty days' notice to customers whenever there is a service rate or charge increase.

NY A11045

Prohibits utility corporations and municipalities from increasing a bill previously rendered to a small non-residential customer after twelve months from the date service was provided; provides limited exceptions to such prohibition; requires the utility corporation or municipality to provide notice regarding the late billing.

NY S08735

Enacts the "billing transparency act"; provides that every utility corporation, energy services corporation and municipality shall provide an itemized breakdown of customers' bills each month; provides that electric utility corporations, energy services companies and municipalities shall maintain a dedicated and easily accessible customer website that explains customer charges.

NY S05553

Enacts the "rate hike notice act" which requires utilities in the state of New York to provide notice of a proposed rate hike to a customer via text, email and via such customer's monthly billing statement.

NY A05442

Enacts the "rate hike notice act" which requires utilities in the state of New York to provide notice of a proposed rate hike to a customer via text, email and via such customer's monthly billing statement.

NY S08865

Requires a utility corporation or municipality to notify property owners at least five business days prior to beginning any non-emergency construction or other work that will result in a planned interruption of a customer's property; requires notice to include, but not be limited to, a description of the work to be performed, the expected duration of such work, the location of such work, and the contact information for the utility performing such work; exempts cases where a natural or man-made disaster or state of emergency occurs.

NY A11030

Requires a utility corporation or municipality to notify property owners at least five business days prior to beginning any non-emergency construction or other work that will result in a planned interruption of a customer's property; requires notice to include, but not be limited to, a description of the work to be performed, the expected duration of such work, the location of such work, and the contact information for the utility performing such work; exempts cases where a natural or man-made disaster or state of emergency occurs.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.