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A 9032

Requires legislative approval of any utility rate or charge increase approved by the public service commission

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Karl Brabenec and 2 co-sponsors

Requires explicit legislative approval for any PSC-approved utility rate increase before it can take effect, shifting final say from the PSC to the Legislature.

REFERRED TO ENERGY
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Bill Summary · A 9032

Summary of Assembly Bill A 9032

Overview

Bill A 9032 would require explicit legislative approval for any utility rate or charge increase that is approved by the state's Public Service Commission (PSC). Introduced on September 5, 2025, the measure is currently positioned in the Energy Committee (referred to Energy). The primary sponsor is Angelo Santabarbara, with Marianne Buttenschon listed as a cosponsor.

Key Provisions

  • Core requirement: No PSC-approved utility rate or charge increase may take effect without prior legislative authorization. In other words, the Legislature would have to approve (or potentially modify/block) any rate increase determined by the PSC.
  • Scope: Applies to any utility rate or charge increases that the PSC approves. This generally encompasses regulated utilities under the PSC’s jurisdiction.
  • Legislative role: The bill solidifies a new oversight layer by placing final authorization for rate changes with the Legislature rather than the PSC alone.

Affected Parties

  • Ratepayers/customers: Potentially affected by the timing and outcome of legislative approval for rate changes.
  • Public Service Commission: Its authority to approve rate increases would be conditioned by the need for legislative approval.
  • Utilities regulated by the PSC: Subject to the requirement that any approved increases must receive legislative assent before taking effect.
  • State Legislature: Would assume a more direct role in determining utility rates, introducing a new procedural step in the rate-change process.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Referred to Energy Committee, indicating the bill is at an early stage of the legislative process.
  • Introduced: September 5, 2025.
  • Actions: Legislative Actions show the bill being referred to Energy on the same date (two entries likely reflecting duplicate records).

Potential Implications

  • Oversight and delay: The requirement for legislative approval could slow or block PSC-approved rate increases, introducing greater political and procedural considerations into utility pricing.
  • Investor and reliability considerations: Utilities may face longer lead times for rate changes, potentially affecting investment decisions and project budgeting.
  • Consumer impact: Depending on how the Legislature acts, customers could see slower rate changes or changes aligned with legislative priorities.

Sponsors

  • Primary: Angelo Santabarbara
  • Cosponsor: Marianne Buttenschon

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to current NY PSC processes or summarize related bills to provide context on how A 9032 fits within ongoing utility-rate oversight debates.

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

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