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Senate bill · S9966 (2025-26)

Relates to the review of joint proposals in rate proceedings

Latest action Jun 1, 2026

New York State Senate

Same as A11468, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Sponsor

Leroy Comrie

State Senator, District 14 · Democratic

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Summary

Requires both the department of public service staff and the utility to provide separate, substantive responses to discovery requests and cross-examination questions seeking evidence or explanations related to elements of the joint proposal and explain how any contested aspect of the joint proposal delivers outcomes for utility consumers that are in compliance with all applicable laws and are at least as favorable as would have resulted had its testimonial position been approved by the public service commission.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Public Service Law.

From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 21, 2026. About our data

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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To strengthen transparency, accountability, and evidentiary standards in Public Service Commission (PSC) rate proceedings by requiring clear, independent justification of joint proposals and ensuring that all adopted elements demonstrably serve the best interests of utility consumers.

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

Where it stands

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

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

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.

Cosponsors

Shelley Mayer

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab)
  • Democratic1

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

The sponsor's argument

Why Leroy Comrie says this is needed

Joint proposals are a common and important mechanism for resolving complex rate proceedings before the Public Service Commission. However, the current process can limit transparency and constrain meaningful scrutiny of how negotiated outcomes compare to litigated positions. In some instances, confidentiality protections surrounding settlement discussions may impede the development of a complete and reviewable record. This legislation addresses these concerns by requiring greater evidenti- ary support and independent justification for joint proposals. By mandating separate, substantive responses from Department staff and utilities, the bill ensures that the Commission and interested parties have access to the information necessary to evaluate whether proposed agreements truly serve the public interest. Additionally, the bill establishes a heightened "clear and convincing evidence" standard for each element of a joint proposal adopted by the Commission. This ensures that negotiated outcomes are not accepted as a whole without rigorous, component-level review, and that each provision delivers measurable and lawful benefits to consumers. By reinforcing transparency and accountability, this legislation promotes greater public confidence in the rate-setting process and helps ensure that utility customers receive fair, reasonable, and well-justi- fied outcomes.

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.

Recorded votes

  • Vote: Floor vote

    NY SenateJun 1, 2026Result: passed

    (60) (0) (0) (3)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Rules

    Senate RulesJun 1, 2026Result: passed

    (20) (0) (0) (1)

Full history

  1. Jun 1, 2026

    In committee

    COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES

    NY Senate

  2. Jun 1, 2026

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    NY Senate

  3. Jun 1, 2026

    Ordered to Third Reading CAL.1501

    ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1501

    NY Senate

  4. Jun 1, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED SENATE

    NY Senate

  5. Jun 1, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS

    NY Assembly

Show full history (2 earlier events)
  1. May 20, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS

    NY Assembly

  2. Apr 20, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

    NY Senate