BILL NUMBER: S9052
SPONSOR: COMRIE
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill clarifies the process on how water companies make available
non-billing information to residents of cooperatives, condominiums or
multifamily dwellings.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 17 of section 89-c of the
public service law as it relates to requiring that residents of certain
cooperatives, condominiums or multi-family dwellings must be able to
obtain non-billing information about their water service in the same
manner that customers of the water company are entitled to. This makes
several clarifying changes to ensure the water company identifies appli-
cable residents and provide written notice to such residents where they
have the option to receive the non-billing information.
Section 2 of the bill is the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Residents who live in certain condominiums, cooperatives or multi-family
residences are not afforded the same access to critical information on
their water that other users are. These residents receive their water
through a master meter and are not considered customers by the water-
works corporations. As a result, they do not directly receive any
notifications regarding water quality or service interruptions.
In 2021, the legislature passed a law that empowers the Public Service
Commission to require water companies to provide non-billing related
information. There has been different interpretations of the responsi-
bility of the water companies in providing such information. This bill
seeks to clarify how water companies make available non-billing informa-
tion to residents of cooperatives, condominiums or multi-family dwell-
ings including identifying all residents and providing written notice
directly to them.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A.9961 of 2022.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None to the State.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
Statutes affected: S9052: 89-c public service law, 89-c(17) public service law