Bill > A00836

This bill establishes a utility intervenor reimbursement program that allows certain participants to receive compensation for their costs of participating in Public Service Commission (PSC) proceedings, specifically those related to utility pricing, submetering, and other regulated utility services. The bill defines a "participant" as a group representing residential or small business customers, or a non-profit organization authorized to represent such customers, and explicitly excludes organizations primarily representing utility companies or businesses. Participants can apply for compensation for reasonable advocate fees, expert witness fees, and other out-of-pocket expenses directly related to their contributions to the proceeding. To be eligible, participants must demonstrate they can make a "substantial contribution" to the PSC's decision-making process, which means their application may help the commission by presenting factual, legal, or policy recommendations. The bill also provides a mechanism for participants experiencing significant financial hardship to receive advance payment, with strict guidelines about how compensation is calculated, based on market rates for comparable services. A new utility intervenor account will be established to manage these reimbursement funds, which will be paid by the public utilities at the conclusion of each proceeding. The goal is to enable meaningful consumer and small business participation in utility regulatory processes by offsetting the financial barriers to involvement.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A836