Clarifies how certain non-billing information regarding the delivery of water is disclosed to residents of cooperatives, condominiums or multi-family dwellings; requires water-works corporations to notify customers of their ability to receive non-billing related information.
Summary
This bill amends the Public Service Law to clarify how non-billing information about water service is shared with residents of cooperatives, condominiums, and multi-family dwellings with five or more units that are served through a master meter. It directs the Public Service Commission to require each water-works corporation to create a process so these residents can receive the same kinds of non-billing information that direct customers receive, including service updates, water quality notices, and other information deemed essential to water consumers.
The bill also requires water-works corporations to identify affected buildings in their service territory and provide initial and periodic written notice to the master-meter customer. That customer must then pass the notice along to residents. In addition, the buildings must allow residents to provide contact information and a preferred method of contact so non-billing notices can be delivered more directly. The act would take effect immediately.
Impact
The bill would amend section 89-c of the Public Service Law by expanding and clarifying the notification obligations of water-works corporations serving master-metered residential buildings. It does not change water rates or billing rules, but it creates a more formal disclosure framework for service-related communications, affecting utilities, building owners or managers who receive master-meter notices, and residents of cooperatives, condominiums, and multi-family dwellings with five or more units.
Sentiment
The available legislative record suggests generally favorable sentiment. The bill was reported favorably from the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications and advanced through the normal reading process, indicating committee support for the measure’s consumer-notification goals. No votes or transcripts are provided, so there is no evidence in the record of organized opposition or debate.
Contention
The main policy issue appears to be how to ensure residents in master-metered buildings receive timely water-service and water-quality information when they are not direct utility customers. The bill shifts responsibility toward water-works corporations to identify affected properties and provide notices, while also placing a follow-through obligation on the master-meter customer to distribute those notices to residents. Potential points of contention could involve administrative burden on utilities and building owners, privacy or contact-information handling for residents, and the practicality of direct communication in multi-unit housing, but no explicit opposition is shown in the provided materials.
Same As
Clarifies how certain non-billing information regarding the delivery of water is disclosed to residents of cooperatives, condominiums or multi-family dwellings; requires water-works corporations to notify customers of their ability to receive non-billing related information.
Clarifies how certain non-billing information regarding the delivery of water is disclosed to residents of cooperatives, condominiums or multi-family dwellings; requires water-works corporations to notify customers of their ability to receive non-billing related information.
Relates to information that residential health care facilities are required to separately disclose to residents and their families; requires such information to be posted on the residential health care facility's website.
Relates to information that residential health care facilities are required to separately disclose to residents and their families; requires such information to be posted on the residential health care facility's website.
Requires certain utility corporations and the Long Island power authority to establish a meter usage monitor program for the purposes of notifying residential customers when energy usage exceeds a cost or usage threshold in a given billing period determined by the residential customer.
Requires NYCHA to provide information and trainings to all residents regarding the formation of resident management corporations, the requirements of such resident management corporations and the potential benefits of creating such resident management corporations.
Requires NYCHA to provide information and trainings to all residents regarding the formation of resident management corporations, the requirements of such resident management corporations and the potential benefits of creating such resident management corporations.
Requires the office of mental health to provide an informational notice to supportive housing tenants which contains information about a supportive housing tenant's rights as a tenant, information about their building and other related information.
Requires at least one director on a board of directors of a residential cooperative housing corporation be a primary resident of such residential cooperative housing corporation; prohibits the charging of payments, fees or charges by cooperative housing corporations without thirty days written notice to such cooperative housing corporation's shareholders.
Requires at least one director on a board of directors of a residential cooperative housing corporation be a primary resident of such residential cooperative housing corporation; prohibits the charging of payments, fees or charges by cooperative housing corporations without thirty days written notice to such cooperative housing corporation's shareholders.