New York Senate Bill S09837

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/7/26
• Refer: 4/7/26

Caption

Directs the power authority of the state of New York to make low-cost power and energy services available to providers of services for individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities.

Summary

S09837 would amend the Public Authorities Law to direct the New York Power Authority to make low-cost power and energy services available to certain providers serving individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. The bill covers providers as defined in the Mental Hygiene Law, including nonprofit organizations, facilities, and programs that deliver these services in New York State. To qualify, the power or energy must be used directly and exclusively for the provider’s service operations in the state. The authority would be required to establish eligibility criteria and could ask applicants to show that the discounted energy will produce measurable benefits such as cost savings, reinvestment in services, or improved access to care. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Impact

The bill would add a new subdivision to section 1005 of the Public Authorities Law, expanding the New York Power Authority’s responsibilities to include a targeted low-cost energy program for eligible disability-service providers. It would not broadly change utility rates for all customers, but would create a specialized benefit for a defined class of nonprofit and service organizations, potentially reducing operating costs for facilities serving people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or vote record is available, so there is no documented debate or recorded legislative sentiment to assess. Based on the bill text, the measure appears supportive of disability services and nonprofit providers by lowering overhead and potentially increasing resources available for direct care.

Contention

The bill’s main policy questions are likely to involve eligibility standards, how NYPA will verify that energy is used exclusively for qualifying services, and what evidence is sufficient to prove the promised benefits. Potential concerns could include the fiscal effect on the power authority, whether the program should be limited to certain providers or expanded more broadly, and how to ensure the discount is tied to measurable public benefit rather than simply reducing costs.