New York Assembly Bill A06960

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/18/25
• Refer: 3/18/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

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; requires such corporations to include an itemized disclosure of the primary cost components comprising the delivery portion of the bill.

Summary

This bill amends the Public Service Law to bar electric corporations, gas corporations, and utilities from passing through to ratepayers any increased costs that result from tariffs. The prohibition applies both to tariffs imposed by the United States on imports from foreign countries and to tariffs imposed by foreign governments or their political subdivisions on exports to the United States. In practical terms, the bill would prevent utilities from raising electricity or natural gas charges, or the prices of associated goods and services, when those higher costs are caused by tariff-related expenses. The measure takes effect immediately if enacted.

Impact

The bill would add a new subdivision to section 66 of the Public Service Law, creating a statewide restriction on utility rate-setting tied to tariff-driven cost increases. It would affect electric corporations, gas corporations, and other utilities that might otherwise seek to recover tariff-related expenses through customer bills, limiting their ability to pass those costs on to residential and other ratepayers.

Sentiment

There is limited recorded discussion or voting history available for this bill, so no clear consensus can be drawn from committee debate or floor action. Based on the text alone, the bill appears consumer-protective, aiming to shield customers from utility price increases linked to trade tariffs, but the absence of transcripts or votes means support and opposition cannot be directly assessed from the available record.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is whether utilities should be allowed to recover tariff-related input costs through rates or whether those costs should be absorbed by the companies instead. Consumer advocates would likely favor the bill because it limits bill increases, while utilities and possibly regulators may object that it could prevent full cost recovery and create pressure on utility finances or future investment. No specific named opponents or supporters are identified in the available materials.