New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S09031

Introduced
1/23/26  

Caption

Allows 100 of more current customers of a utility to demand that the public service commission perform an audit of a public utility that has knowingly failed or neglected to obey the law or comply with its legal obligations.

Impact

The introduction of Bill S09031 could significantly impact the operational landscape for public utility companies in New York. By empowering customers to demand audits, the bill not only promotes a culture of compliance but also places pressure on utilities to adhere closely to legal standards and orders. If this bill becomes law, it is likely to result in more rigorous scrutiny of utility company practices, likely leading to operational changes and potentially improving service delivery and customer trust.

Summary

Bill S09031 proposes amendments to the New York Public Service Law, specifically allowing a group of one hundred or more current customers of a utility to request an independent audit of that utility's records. If customers believe that a utility provider has knowingly failed or neglected to comply with legal obligations, this bill gives them a formal mechanism to initiate a forensic audit. The goal of this legislation is to enhance accountability and transparency among utility companies, potentially addressing concerns among customers about utility compliance with existing regulations.

Contention

Though the bill aims to enhance transparency, there may be contention surrounding its implementation. Utility companies could argue that the bill promotes unnecessary audits, which could lead to increased operational costs and administrative burdens. There may also be concerns about the criteria defining 'failure to comply,' as utilities may contest customer claims. Effective enforcement and clarity on the audit process will be crucial in addressing these potential conflicts.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NY HB1038

Allow the Public Utilities Commission to assess actual costs to data centers that are customers of public utilities.

NY S09964

Prohibits public utilities from passing along the cost of site investigation and remediation efforts on to rate payers; requires each public utility with more than seventy-five thousand customers to submit to the public service commission an annual report containing a description of any expenses that may not be included or incorporated in the public utility's operating expenses.

NY A10672

Prohibits public utilities from passing along the cost of site investigation and remediation efforts on to rate payers; requires each public utility with more than seventy-five thousand customers to submit to the public service commission an annual report containing a description of any expenses that may not be included or incorporated in the public utility's operating expenses.

NY A10993

Relates to the appointment and responsibilities of the commissioners of the public service commission; requires the commission to have a duty to protect public interest, including ensuring access to utility services for residential and business customers; prohibits commissioners from having been employed within the last two years by an electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, or water utility that is regulated by the commission.

NY S07328

Relates to the appointment and responsibilities of the commissioners of the public service commission; requires the commission to have a duty to protect public interest, including ensuring access to utility services for residential and business customers; prohibits commissioners from having been employed within the last two years by an electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, or water utility that is regulated by the commission.

NY CACR30

Relating to the public utilities commissioners.Providing that the public utilities commissioners are elected.

NY A08174

Relates to the members of the public service commission; prohibits commissioners from having been employed within the last two years by an electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, or water utility that is regulated by the commission; requires that new appointments ensure that commissioners represent certain areas of education and training.

NY S09065

Relates to the reconnection of service for low-income customers; provides that upon the signing of a reconnection plan where a low-income customer shall pay no more than three percent of such customer's monthly income for electric or gas service or six percent of monthly income for combination electric and gas service plus such customer's current monthly bill, a utility shall reconnect such service.

NY AB2424

Public Utilities Commission: communications: low-income customers.

NY HB1563

Municipal utilities; revise composition of the commission to include one person who is a customer that receives service by such utility.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.