BILL NUMBER: S8535
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to the establishment
of reduced residential rates for electric and natural gas service to
furloughed or non-pay federal workers; and providing for the repeal of
such provisions upon expiration thereof
 
PURPOSE OF GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Establishes reduced residential rates for electric and natural gas
service to furloughed or non-pay federal workers.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1:
The public service commission shall require electric and natural gas
corporations to establish programs of rate reduction and other assist-
ance to residential electric and natural gas customers who have been
either furloughed or designated non-pay federal employees due to a peri-
od of a lapse in discretionary appropriations by the federal government,
the revenue impact of which shall be borne solely by any single class of
customer. The PSC shall ensure appropriate levels of rate reduction for
such electric and natural gas customers to mitigate hardship. In estab-
lishing the appropriate percentage reduction the commission shall ensure
to the feasible that ratepayers who have been furloughed or designated
non-pay federal employees are not jeopardized or overburdened by rates
for electric and natural gas service.
Section 2:
The PSC shall establish customer income and categorical eligibility
standards for reduced rates, which shall include, without limitation,
customers providing documentation demonstrating that they have been
furloughed or designated non-pay as a result of a period of a lapse in
discretionary appropriations by the federal government.
Section 3: The PSC shall require providers of electric and natural
service to provide information and application forms for reduced to
eligible customers.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
With no end in sight, the Federal Government shutdown of 2019 represents
an unprecedented loss of income for the many federal government workers
in New York State. Unfortunately, during this cold winter, the demands
of expensive utility bills are very real. When the Federal Government
has failed us, New York State should do whatever we can to help families
to pay their expensive utilities on time. Providing reduced residential
electric and gas rates furloughed workers is important to protect New
York families.
This legislation will assist furloughed workers in utility payment and
protect Federal Employees and their families from the economic loss of
having to borrow money at high interest rates to pay their expensive
winter utility bills. In addition, the more affordable rates will
protect Federal employees and their families from possible damage to
their credit by not being able to make utility payments on time.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019 - Energy & Telecommunications
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately