Summary — S.6491 (Print 6491B)
Title: Requires electric corporations and gas corporations to provide, as part of every billing statement, a tariff cost estimate in a clear, conspicuous and easily understandable manner
Sponsor: Sen. Michelle Hinchey (primary)
Introduced: March 14, 2025
Companion bill: A.6960 (Assembly)
Purpose / Intent
The bill is intended to increase billing transparency for electric and gas utility customers by requiring utilities to include a “tariff cost estimate” on every customer bill. The goal is to help customers understand how tariffed charges (i.e., charges established under the utility’s approved tariff/rate schedule) contribute to their total bill and to present that information in plain, easily understood language.
Key Provisions (as described)
- Requires electric corporations and gas corporations to provide a tariff cost estimate as part of every billing statement.
- The information must be displayed in a clear, conspicuous, and easily understandable manner on the bill.
- The requirement applies to every billing statement sent to customers (residential and non‑residential), not limited to certain bill types or frequencies.
Note: The legislative summary provided does not include the bill’s full statutory language, definitions (for example, how “tariff cost estimate” is calculated), enforcement mechanisms, or any specified effective date. For precise obligations, formatting rules, or exemptions, consult the bill text (Print 6491B / A.6960) or subsequent committee reports.
Who is affected
- Electric corporations and gas corporations operating under state jurisdiction — they would need to modify billing systems and templates to include the required estimate.
- Utility customers (residential and commercial) who would receive more detailed information about tariff-driven charges on each bill.
- Regulators and utility commissions (e.g., state Public Service Commission) — likely to be involved in guidance, rulemaking, or oversight of implementation and acceptable formats/calculation methods.
Potential impacts
- Consumer benefit: improved transparency and easier understanding of how tariffed components affect bills, which may help with budgeting and comparisons.
- Utility impact: administrative and IT costs to update billing systems, customer communications, and staff training. Utilities may seek guidance from regulators on calculation method and presentation standards.
- Regulatory impact: potential need for rulemaking or guidance to standardize the definition, calculation, presentation format, and any exemptions.
Legislative status and timeline
- 2025-03-14: Referred to Energy and Telecommunications (Print 6491A issued 3/17/2025)
- 2025-03-17: Amended (T) and recommitted to Energy and Telecommunications (Print 6491A)
- 2025-09-17: Amended (T) and recommitted to Energy and Telecommunications; Print 6491B issued (current version)
Next steps: Continued committee consideration; possible further amendment, committee report, and floor action. Companion A.6960 indicates parallel Assembly consideration.
For implementation details, enforcement provisions, and exact wording (e.g., how the tariff estimate is computed), refer to the full bill text (Print 6491B) and any subsequent committee memos or fiscal notes.
