Bill > A01833

This bill increases the number of members in the Public Service Commission (PSC) from five to seven members, with specific requirements for the new composition. The bill mandates that two of the seven commissioners must be selected from a not-for-profit organization focused on consumer protection or social justice, and one member must be a resident of a nonattainment area (typically an area that does not meet national air quality standards). The bill also modifies party affiliation restrictions, allowing no more than five commissioners to be from the same political party, and requires that any new commissioners appointed from July 2022 onward have at least three years of experience in fields such as economics, engineering, law, accounting, business management, utility regulation, public policy, consumer advocacy, or environmental management. Additionally, the bill changes the title of "chairman" to "chair" and ensures that at least one commissioner has experience in utility consumer advocacy. The goal appears to be diversifying the commission's expertise and representation while expanding its membership to potentially improve oversight and decision-making in public utility regulation.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1833