Bill > A06542

This bill aims to protect residential utility customers from service shutoffs during extreme heat and cold seasons by establishing specific "summer protection season" (May 1 to August 31) and "winter protection season" (December 1 to February 28) periods during which utility companies cannot terminate services for non-payment. The legislation mandates that utility corporations and municipalities must restore any previously discontinued residential services at the beginning of these protection seasons without charging restoration fees, and they are prohibited from assessing penalties or late fees during these periods. The bill requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to submit an annual report to state leadership detailing utility terminations, including data on household demographics, reconnection processes, and the health and financial impacts of service disruptions. The report must be made publicly available online, and the PSC is tasked with creating rules to implement these protections without allowing utilities to increase service costs. While the bill prevents shutoffs during these specific seasons, it emphasizes that customers are still obligated to pay for utility services and any accumulated arrears. The legislation applies only to residential utility services and is part of a broader nationwide trend of protecting consumers from utility disconnections during extreme weather conditions.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6542