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S 9735

Enacts the "home utility weatherization jobs act"

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 5 co-sponsors

The bill creates a Home Utility Weatherization program to fund and standardize residential energy efficiency upgrades, creating jobs and reducing energy costs.

REFERRED TO ENERGY
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Bill Summary · S 9735

Summary of Bill: S 9735 (2025-2026) – Enacts the "Home Utility Weatherization Jobs Act"

Purpose and intent

  • The bill establishes the “Home Utility Weatherization Jobs Act” in New York with the aim of advancing weatherization of residential homes to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs for homeowners and renters, and create or expand local job opportunities in weatherization and related trades.
  • By focusing on home energy efficiency, the act seeks to support broader goals such as reduced energy demand, enhanced housing comfort, and potential environmental benefits.

Key provisions and changes

  • Weatherization Workforce and Projects
    • Creates or expands programs to weatherize eligible residential properties (likely single-family and possibly multifamily homes) to improve energy efficiency.
    • Establishes standards, training requirements, and workforce development to ensure qualified personnel perform weatherization work.
  • Funding and Financing
    • Authorizes or designates funding mechanisms (grants, subsidies, or incentives) to support weatherization projects in homes.
    • May include state funds, federal passthroughs, or public-private funding partnerships to finance insulation, air sealing, heating system upgrades, and related retrofits.
  • Requirements and Standards
    • Sets technical standards for weatherization measures (e.g., insulation, air sealing, efficiency upgrades to heating/cooling systems).
    • Establishes program eligibility criteria for homeowners or renters, and for contractors participating in the program.
  • Workforce Development
    • Emphasizes job creation in the weatherization sector, with training and apprenticeship components.
    • May include prevailing wage or workforce quality provisions to ensure skilled workmanship and fair labor practices.
  • Oversight and Administration
    • Creates or designates an administering body (likely a state agency or a designated office within the energy/ housing portfolio) to implement, monitor, and report on the program.
    • Requires reporting on program spending, outcomes (e.g., number of homes weatherized, energy savings achieved), and job creation metrics.
  • Equity and Accessibility
    • Provisions may address accessibility for low-income households, renters, and communities with high energy burdens.
    • May include targeted outreach and provisions to ensure equitable access to weatherization benefits.

Who would be affected

  • Homeowners and renters in New York who qualify for weatherization assistance would benefit from funded or subsidized improvements.
  • Licensed weatherization professionals, contractors, and workers would participate in expanded job opportunities and training programs.
  • Local governments and housing agencies responsible for administering or partnering on weatherization projects.
  • Utility customers could experience lower energy bills due to reduced consumption and improved efficiency.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Action history indicates the bill progressed through the Senate in the 2025-2026 session:
    • Referred to Energy committee on 2026-04-02.
    • Advanced to Third Reading on 2026-04-29.
    • Passed the Senate on 2026-05-06 and delivered to the Assembly.
    • Referred to Assembly Energy committee on 2026-05-06.
  • If enacted, the bill would become law as part of New York’s broader energy and housing affordability policy framework, with implementation timelines likely tied to appropriations and administrative rulemaking.
  • Specific funding levels, program start dates, and enforcement mechanics would be detailed in the implementing regulations and annual appropriation acts.

Notes

  • The summary reflects the bill’s stated title and typical content of “home weatherization” legislation. Some details (exact eligible programs, funding amounts, wage requirements, and precise eligibility standards) would be clarified in the final enacted text and corresponding regulatory guidance.

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

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