S 8491 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to denials of increased utility rates and charges

Summary

Provides that whenever the public service commission denies a request by a utility for a major change in rates or charges, the schedule, rate, charge, form of contract or agreement, rule, regulation, general privilege, facility, or service immediately in effect prior to such request shall remain in full force and effect until such time as the commission approves a new rate, charge.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Aug 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Aug 25, 2025 Last action Jun 5, 2026

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What changed between versions

S8491 → S8491A · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to recommit it to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications for further review. The text of the act was updated to clarify that existing utility rates remain in effect only when a 'major change' is requested, rather than for any rate increase, and to explicitly allow the commission to set temporary rates during the review period.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by specifying that the protections for existing rates apply specifically to requests for 'major changes' in rates or charges, rather than all rate increases.

REQUIREMENT

The conditions under which existing utility rates must remain in effect were refined to apply specifically to requests for major changes in rates or charges.

The provision allowing the commission to establish temporary rates during the review period was made explicit and applicable to major change requests.

TIMELINE

The bill's procedural status was updated to reflect a recommitment to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 5, 2026

Committee

COMMITTED TO RULES

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

AMENDED ON THIRD READING 8491A

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

upper

Aug 25, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO RULES

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors