BILL NUMBER: S1327
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to establishing
minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::
The purpose of this bill is to direct the Public Service Commission to
set a minimum stand for payment plans established by utility companies
in the state.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section 1 amends the public service law. Authorizes and directs the
Public Service Commission to set standards for payment plans set up by
utilities for eligible customers. Subsection la - Whether a payment is
reasonable
(b) - payment plans shall Consist of average customer's estimated cost
over a period of 10 or 12 months.
(c)- Requires that each payment plan shall give customers 21 days from
which the bill sent to pay it in full.
(d)- In the event of a rate case, eligible customer payment plans shall
be adjusted to reflect the change.
(e) - payment plans may not be terminated unless certain actions are
taken by the customer or unless it is necessary. Subsection 2 sets the
requirements for establishing eligibility for a customer.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION::
During a long period of inflation and extraordinarily high energy rates
payment plans should be more accessible and available to individuals who
have demonstrated the need. Payment plans should be tools to help low-
income families and those struggling to pay their bills better structure
to do so instead of tools for generational debt. This legislation
directs the Public Service Commission to establish standards that utili-
ty companies must abide by when providing payment plans so that custom-
ers are not harmed by the terms.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
2023-2024: S1199B-PASSED SENATE
2021-22: S8984 - COMMITTED TO RULES
 
FISCAL /I VLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS::
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect immediately.