Bill > A04621

This bill establishes a new special revenue fund called the "Under-grounding of Electrical Power or Telecommunications Lines Fund" to help move overhead electrical and telecommunications lines underground. The fund will be jointly managed by the state comptroller and the commissioner of taxation and finance, and will be primarily funded through appropriated monies, including potential Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster recovery and hazard mitigation funds. Counties, towns, and villages can apply for reimbursement from the fund to contract with power and telecommunications providers for undergrounding projects. These local governments may also contribute to the effort by providing a two-person crew and necessary project equipment to assist providers in moving overhead lines underground. The primary goal of this fund is to improve infrastructure resilience by reducing above-ground utility lines, which can be vulnerable to damage during severe weather events or natural disasters. The bill will take effect immediately upon passage.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4621