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S 7165

Authorizes the public service commission to consider non-economic loss suffered by consumers when determining penalties

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michelle Hinchey and 2 co-sponsors

Bill S 7165 empowers the Public Service Commission to consider non-economic losses, enhancing consumer protection and accountability for utility companies' service failures.

REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
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Bill Summary · S 7165

Summary of Bill S 7165

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: S 7165
  • Title: Authorizes the Public Service Commission to Consider Non-Economic Loss Suffered by Consumers When Determining Penalties
  • Status: Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
  • Introduced: April 3, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill S 7165 is to empower the Public Service Commission (PSC) to take into account non-economic losses experienced by consumers when assessing penalties against utility companies. This legislation aims to enhance consumer protection by ensuring that the PSC considers the broader impact of utility service failures, which may not be strictly financial but can significantly affect consumers' quality of life.

Key Provisions

  • Non-Economic Loss Consideration: The bill explicitly allows the PSC to factor in non-economic losses, such as emotional distress, inconvenience, and other subjective impacts on consumers, when determining penalties for utility companies that violate regulations or fail to provide adequate service.
  • Penalty Assessment: By including non-economic losses in penalty assessments, the bill seeks to create a more comprehensive framework for holding utility providers accountable for their actions and ensuring that consumers are adequately compensated for their experiences.

Affected Parties

  • Consumers: Individuals and households that rely on utility services will benefit from this legislation, as it aims to provide them with a more robust mechanism for addressing grievances related to service failures.
  • Utility Companies: The bill will impose additional considerations on utility companies when facing penalties, potentially leading to higher penalties if non-economic losses are deemed significant.

Legislative Timeline

  • April 3, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Energy and Telecommunications Committee.
  • April 8, 2025: The bill was amended and recommitted to the Energy and Telecommunications Committee, resulting in the printing of a new version (7165A).
  • April 29, 2025: The bill was placed on the second report calendar.
  • April 30, 2025: Advanced to third reading.
  • June 5, 2025: The bill passed the Senate and was delivered to the Assembly, where it was referred to the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee.

Related Legislation

  • A 8025: This bill has a companion in the Assembly, which may parallel the efforts of S 7165 and facilitate a more unified legislative approach to consumer protection in utility services.

Conclusion

Bill S 7165 represents a significant step towards enhancing consumer rights and protections in the utility sector by allowing for a more holistic approach to penalty assessments. By considering non-economic losses, the bill aims to ensure that utility companies are held accountable not only for financial damages but also for the broader impacts of their service failures on consumers.

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

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