BILL NUMBER: S2458
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing
a time limit to challenge the New York City water board fees, rates,
rents and other service charges
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::
Provides that the NYC Water Board shall not establish a limit of less
than six years to challenge any service charges for the use of or
services furnished by the board.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS::
Section 1 amends Public Authorities Law section 1045-q to establish a
six year statute of limitations commencing from the date of the bill to
challenge water and sewer bills from New York City Water Board.
 
JUSTIFICATION::
Four years is not adequate time for a customer to file a complaint with
respect to a water or sewer bill. The six-year time limit has been
applicable since the inception of the New York City Water Board's
authority and should be continued. Six years is the normal statute of
limitations to utility customers throughout the state. There continues
to be substantial confusion concerning the application of metered or
frontage rates, caps on metered bills and leak forgiveness. The water
and sewerage bills are complicated by the transition to meters and the
changing rates and regulations. The New York City Water Board has placed
no similar limitation of its ability to collect unpaid charges and to
place a limitation on the customer is unfair. The Water Board not the
customer has control of the meter.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
2023- 2024: S5603 Comrie/ 51374 Colton
2021-2022: S5533
2019L A.3081
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S2458: 1045-g public authorities law, 1045-g(4) public authorities law