New York Assembly Bill A10135

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/26
• Refer: 2/4/26
• Report Pass: 2/25/26
• Engrossed: 3/4/26
• Refer: 3/4/26

Caption

Directs the public service commission to develop, publish, and update a guidebook on the gas and electric ratemaking process

Summary

A10135 requires the Public Service Commission, through the Department of Public Service, to develop, publish, and periodically update a plain-language guidebook explaining New York’s gas and electric ratemaking process. The guidebook must be easy for the general public to understand, posted prominently on the department’s website, and included or referenced in communications that announce or seek public comment on matters affecting rates or charges that require a hearing. The bill specifies that the guidebook must include two main sections: one aimed at helping the public understand and participate in ratemaking, and another aimed at helping interested or affected parties formally intervene in rate cases. Required topics include an overview of the process and timelines, the role of the public, the responsibilities of utilities, commissioners, staff, administrative judges, and intervenors, how to access case documents, procedural tools such as testimony and discovery, settlement guidelines, and templates or examples of documents used by intervenors. The guidebook must be published within 120 days after enactment and updated over time.

Impact

The bill amends Section 66 of the Public Service Law by adding a new duty for the Public Service Commission to provide public-facing educational materials on gas and electric ratemaking. It does not change rate-setting standards themselves, but it does impose a new administrative transparency and outreach requirement on the Department of Public Service and PSC, affecting how utility rate cases are explained to the public and how notices of hearings and comment opportunities are communicated. Utilities, consumer advocates, intervenors, and members of the public would all be affected by the improved access to procedural information and case materials.

Sentiment

The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition: the Assembly Energy Committee approved the bill unanimously 14-0, and the Assembly passed it 143-0. That pattern suggests the measure was viewed as a low-conflict transparency and consumer-information bill rather than a substantive change to utility regulation. The bill later passed the Senate, indicating continued support across both chambers.

Contention

There is little evidence of controversy in the available record. The bill appears to be broadly supported because it is limited to improving public understanding, participation, and access to information in a complex regulatory process. Any potential points of concern would likely center on the administrative burden of preparing and maintaining the guidebook, the adequacy of the plain-language explanations, and whether the guidebook meaningfully helps intervenors and the public navigate technical ratemaking proceedings, but no specific opposition is reflected in the votes or transcripts provided.