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Bill

A 1517

Abolishes the minimum charge for the supply of water by the New York city municipal water finance authority and the New York city water board

2025 Regular Session Introduced by David Weprin

A 1517 would remove the minimum monthly charge for NYC water, changing how customers are billed and requiring new rate structures to fund fixed costs.

REFERRED TO CITIES
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Bill Summary · A 1517

Summary of Assembly Bill A 1517

Overview

A 1517, introduced January 10, 2025, and sponsored by primary sponsor David Weprin, is a New York Assembly bill titled “Abolishes the minimum charge for the supply of water by the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority and the New York City Water Board.” The bill has been referred to the Cities Committee.

What the bill would do

  • Abolish the minimum (fixed) monthly charge currently imposed for the supply of water by:
    • the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority (NYC Water Finance Authority) and
    • the New York City Water Board.
  • By removing the minimum charge, the bill changes the pricing structure for water services provided by these authorities. The bill does not, in the text provided here, specify the exact alternative pricing framework that would replace the minimum charge (e.g., whether charges would be entirely consumption-based or subject to other rate elements). If enacted, the authorities would need to adjust rate schedules accordingly.

Who would be affected

  • Residential, commercial, and institutional water customers in New York City who are billed by (or through) the NYC Water Finance Authority and NYC Water Board.
  • The two authorities themselves, which would undergo changes to their rate structures and billing programs.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Status: Referred to Cities (as of the information provided).
  • Timeline: Introduced and referred on January 10, 2025.
  • Related legislation from prior sessions includes A 2565, A 9226, A 5077, A 3958, A 8921, and A 1554, indicating ongoing interest in reforming NYC water pricing structures.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Consumer impact: Low-usage customers could see lower charges if the minimum is eliminated, while high-usage users’ bills would depend on the new pricing structure.
  • Revenue and cost recovery: Fixed charges help fund fixed costs (infrastructure, debt service, maintenance). Eliminating the minimum could affect revenue stability and may require adjustments to other rate components or subsidies to ensure ongoing capital and operational funding.
  • Implementation: The transition would require new rate schedules, potential regulatory reviews, and communications to bill-payers about changes in how water rates are calculated.

Next steps for readers

  • Monitor committee action in the Assembly (Cities Committee) for amendments or further specifications.
  • Watch for any fiscal notes or analyses that detail the expected revenue impact and implementation timeline.
  • Consider how changes to water pricing might affect household budgets and business operating costs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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