Directs the division of weights and measures to inspect meters and other apparatus used for regulating and supplying gas or electricity to verify that such apparatus are properly maintained and calibrated.
Summary
This bill amends the Agriculture and Markets Law to give the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, through the Division of Weights and Measures, explicit authority to inspect and test gas and electricity meters and related apparatus used to measure utility service to residential and commercial customers. The inspections may be conducted personally or through authorized agents, and must occur as often as the commissioner deems necessary, but at least once per year. The purpose is to verify that the meters and other measuring equipment are properly maintained and calibrated, and to require the keeping of records of those inspections and tests.
The bill would add a new subdivision to section 179 of the Agriculture and Markets Law and would take effect 90 days after becoming law. In practical terms, it would create a state-level inspection requirement for utility metering equipment, affecting gas and electric utilities, meter owners/operators, and customers whose bills depend on accurate measurement of usage. It does not appear to create new penalties or rate-setting rules, but it would formalize oversight of measurement accuracy under state law.
Impact
The bill would expand the statutory duties of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets and the Division of Weights and Measures by expressly authorizing annual, and potentially more frequent, inspections of gas and electric meters and related apparatus. This would affect the administration of utility measurement standards in New York and could require utilities and other responsible parties to maintain equipment and records in a manner that facilitates inspection and calibration verification. It would not directly amend utility regulation statutes outside the Agriculture and Markets Law, but it would add a new compliance obligation tied to the accuracy of metering for residential and commercial customers.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote record is available, so there is no documented debate or recorded sentiment from legislative discussion. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears to be a technical consumer-protection and measurement-accuracy bill, which typically draws neutral to favorable support because it aims to ensure accurate billing and equipment reliability. There is no evidence in the provided materials of opposition, amendments, or divided votes.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of concern, if raised, would likely involve the administrative burden of annual inspections, the costs of compliance for utilities or meter operators, and whether the Division of Weights and Measures has sufficient staffing and technical capacity to carry out the inspections. However, none of these issues are reflected in the available transcript or voting history.
Same As
Relates to the inspection of meters and other apparatus used for regulating and supplying gas or electricity by the division of weights and measures
Directs the division of weights and measures to inspect meters and other apparatus used for regulating and supplying gas or electricity to verify that such apparatus are properly maintained and calibrated.
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