New York Senate Bill S09080

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/26
• Refer: 1/29/26

Caption

Enacts the "protect our most vulnerable act" under which utility companies and municipalities are prohibited from discontinuing electric, gas, and water services to elderly customers making good faith payments between five and fifteen percent of their monthly incomes.

Summary

S09080 would enact the “Protect Our Most Vulnerable Act” and add new protections in the Public Service Law for elderly utility customers. The bill would prohibit utilities, municipalities, water-works corporations, and municipal water systems from discontinuing electric, gas, or water service to an elderly customer who is making good-faith payments equal to between 5% and 15% of monthly income toward outstanding bills. It also requires utilities to provide payment plans and referrals to assistance programs before termination, and it bars practices that interfere with payment, such as refusing accepted payment methods or creating administrative barriers. The bill defines an “elderly customer” as a primary named accountholder who is at least 70 years old. It directs the Public Service Commission to establish procedures for identifying eligible customers, set standards for evidence of nonpayment, verify income for payment-percentage calculations, and require recordkeeping. The commission would also have authority to conduct audits, issue corrective action orders, impose penalties and fines, and require compliance plans and heightened reporting for violations. The bill would take effect January 1, 2027, with immediate authorization for implementing regulations.

Impact

The bill would amend section 32 of the Public Service Law and add new sections 34-a and 89-q, creating a statewide prohibition on disconnection of gas, electric, and water service for qualifying elderly customers who are making specified partial payments. It would expand regulatory oversight by the Public Service Commission over utility termination practices, customer identification procedures, reporting, audits, and enforcement. Utilities and municipal providers would face new compliance obligations, documentation requirements, and potential penalties for improper disconnections or payment-processing misconduct.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears strongly protective of vulnerable consumers and is framed as a consumer-advocacy and anti-shutoff bill. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, so no formal legislative debate or roll-call sentiment is available. The overall tone of the proposal is precautionary and remedial, emphasizing service continuity for older residents who are making partial payments in good faith.

Contention

The main policy tension is between protecting elderly customers from utility shutoffs and preserving utility or municipal authority to discontinue service for nonpayment. The bill sets a relatively specific payment threshold tied to income, which may raise administrative and verification concerns for utilities and regulators. It also imposes detailed reporting, audit, and enforcement duties on the Public Service Commission, which could be viewed as burdensome by providers while being seen by supporters as necessary to prevent wrongful terminations and payment-processing abuses.