S 1236 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Ensures the public has virtual access to public service commission proceedings and may file documents electronically

This bill allows the public to attend public service commission meetings online and submit documents electronically instead of in person. It applies to proceedings involving gas, electric, water utilities, and other commission actions, while keeping settlement negotiations restricted to authorized parties. The commission and administrative law judges must accept electronic filings, requiring physical copies only when digital submission isn't possible. The changes will take effect approximately six months after the bill becomes law, with flexibility to implement necessary rules immediately.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action May 29, 2026

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What changed between versions

S1236 → S1236A · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify that the public has a right to virtual access to Public Service Commission proceedings and to explicitly allow for the electronic filing of documents. The title and text were updated to reflect these expanded capabilities, ensuring the legislation covers both public viewing and digital submissions.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from general virtual access to specifically include 'virtual and in-person access' for utility proceedings and the mandatory acceptance of electronic document submissions.

TITLE

The bill title was updated to explicitly mention 'ensuring the public has virtual access' and the ability to 'file documents electronically'.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'Document' (including testimony, exhibits, and motions) and 'Proceedings' (covering various formal and informal commission actions).

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added for the Commission and administrative law judges to accept electronic submissions of documents in all proceedings, removing the need for physical copies unless electronic filing is impractical.

ELIGIBILITY

The requirement for virtual access was refined to apply to gas, electric, combination, and water utility proceedings, with specific confidentiality rules for settlement negotiations.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 1236A

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

upper

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor