BILL NUMBER: S1201C
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to establishing
discount programs for veterans
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To provide a discount for veterans in the state of New York for such
persons' utility bills.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 provides for the utility discount program. Authorizes and
directs the commission to require a gas corporation, electric corpo-
ration, or municipality to establish a discount program for veterans.
Delineates the eligibility requirements for veterans.
Section 2 provides the water discount program. Authorizes and directs
the commission to require water-works corporations and municipal water
systems to establish a discount program for veterans. Delineates the
eligibility requirements for veterans.
Section 3 provides the telephone discount program. Authorizes and
directs the commission to require telephone corporations to provide a
discount program for veterans. Delineates the eligibility requirements
for veterans.
Section 4 provides for the cable television discount program. Author-
izes and directs the commission to require telephone corporations and
cable television corporations to provide a discount program for veter-
ans. Delineates the eligibility requirements for veterans.
Section 5 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Assistance in meeting the rising cost of utility rates is essential for
veterans who face special difficulty in meeting the financial demands.
The recent bill surges on customer utility bills due to supply side
limits left many with bills 4 times higher than expected. A 13 discount
would provide some relief to veterans. Utility rate increases currently
take up a considerable amount of low income individuals' income, espe-
cially our veterans who are living on fixed income. While supply costs
and weather-related increases in energy use are extracurricular
elements, utility companies can use the billing process as a tool to
mitigate future supply cost volatility for our most vulnerable custom-
ers.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: S8491 - COMMITTEE TO RULES
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law.