Authorizes the public service commission to consider non-economic loss suffered by consumers when determining penalties

Latest action Feb 5, 2026

Authorizes the public service commission to consider non-economic loss suffered by consumers, including pain and suffering or mental anguish, when determining penalties against a public utility company, corporation or person or a combination gas and electric corporation.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A8025, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Public Service Law.

Committee

Corporations, Authorities and Commissions · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · New York State Senate, Energy And Telecommunications · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

This bill authorizes the public service commission to consider non-eco- nomic losses suffered by consumers in issuing penalties, including nego- tiated settlements, with utilities.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateFeb 4, 2026Result: passed
(42) (20) (0) (1)
Vote: Committee vote · Energy And Telecommunications
Senate Energy And TelecommunicationsJan 27, 2026Result: passed
(15) (5) (0) (0)
Vote: Committee vote · Rules
Senate RulesJan 12, 2026Result: passed
(15) (5) (0) (0)
Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateJun 5, 2025Result: passed
(40) (20) (0) (3)
Vote: Committee vote · Energy And Telecommunications
Senate Energy And TelecommunicationsApr 28, 2025Result: passed
(7) (2) (0) (0)

Cosponsors

Rachel May, Robert Jackson and 1 more on Agora

Democratic3

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Michelle Hinchey says this is needed

The public service commission (PSC) has oversight of utility companies and can assess penalties against them for violations of statutory and regulatory requirements. Public service law spells out different levels of maximum penalties based on the nature and frequency of such violations. However, the statute is unclear on whether the PSC, in determining such penalties, can account for non-economic damages suffered by consumers. When a utility fails to meet its obligations, whether through poor customer service, abusive billing practices, or other harmful actions, the impact on New Yorkers can go beyond simple economic losses. Inaccu- rate or over-billing, for example, can destabilize families causing adverse emotional impacts, fear, and insecurity - overdrafting someone's account may cause them to be late on other bills impacting their credit score; it may cause someone to be late on rent or homeowner payments jeopardizing their living situation; overcharging a customer may upend a monthly budget forcing them to choose between groceries or paying the bills. These are only a few real examples of dire situations that poor utility company service has caused across the state. Each leaves a far more damaging impact than just the financial cost of reconciling payment. This bill gives the PSC clear statutory authority to consider such non- economic damages when determining penalties or negotiated settlements with utilities.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Feb 5, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
NY Assembly
Feb 4, 2026
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Feb 4, 2026
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Jan 27, 2026
Ordered to Third Reading CAL.146
ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.146
NY Senate
Jan 27, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate

Show full history (12 earlier events)

Jan 7, 2026
Died in Assembly
DIED IN ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
NY Senate
Jun 5, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Jun 5, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Jun 5, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
NY Assembly
Apr 30, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Apr 29, 2025
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
Apr 28, 2025
1ST Report CAL.711
1ST REPORT CAL.711
NY Senate
Apr 22, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
NY Assembly
Apr 8, 2025
Amend and Recommit to Energy and Telecommunications
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
NY Senate
Apr 3, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 3, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

Your position