BILL NUMBER: S8606A
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to fees
related to liquified petroleum
 
PURPOSE:
To make liquified petroleum gas fees more transparent and to prohibit
certain fees commonly charged by companies which sell liquified petrole-
um gas.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 192-e of the agriculture and markets law by
adding a new subdivision 10 which prohibits and regulates certain fees.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Companies selling propane in New York charge numerous hidden fees, many
of which are excessively burdensome for consumers and work contrary to
our ambitious climate goals. One example is a minimum usage fee which is
charged to consumers who use below a certain amount of propane. Charges
like this incentivize consumers to use more propane gas, leading to
greater greenhouse gas emissions, a continued reliance on fossil fuels,
and a slower transition to renewable energy. There can also be exorbi-
tant fees to cancel service or to have a propane tank removed, making it
exceedingly expensive for consumers to end their contracts with their
current provider. Because of this it can be financially difficult for
consumers to switch to a different propane provider to receive better
service or to change energy systems entirely.
As the Inflation Reduction Act provides ample opportunities for Ameri-
cans to transition to renewable energy, New York State needs to ensure
that there are no unnecessary barriers preventing New Yorkers from doing
so. By prohibiting petroleum gas companies from charging these unneces-
sary fees, this bill removes some of those barriers and puts money back
into people's pockets. The bill also protects consumers who are harmed
by the unregulated state of the propane industry and the exploitative
fees that the industry too often charges. At a time when many New York-
ers are struggling to make ends meet, we cannot allow unfair propane
fees to further hit them in their wallets.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8606: 192-e agriculture and markets law
S8606A: 192-e agriculture and markets law