Allows issues before the public service commission to be determined publicly rather than through settlement discussions not open to the public

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

• Democratic1

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

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Leroy Comrie says this is needed

While settlement negotiations are an important tool in resolving complex PSC rate cases, they are typically conducted outside of public view and may limit transparency into how key decisions affecting utility rates and services are made. As a result, critical issues with significant consumer impact may be resolved through private negotiation rather than through a fully developed public record, which often does not incorpo- rate the due diligence required to protect consumers. This legislation preserves the benefits of settlement while restoring balance by ensuring that parties retain the right to have substantive issues adjudicated through an open and transparent process. By allowing parties to sever issues they have meaningfully developed in testimony, the bill ensures that such matters can be fully examined through discov- ery, evidentiary hearings, and public Commission review. The bill also introduces clear procedural timelines and standards to prevent abuse of the severance process and to maintain efficiency in proceedings. The limited 60-day window for settlement discussion of severed issues encourages early resolution while ensuring that unre- solved matters are ultimately subject to public adjudication. By strengthening procedural fairness and increasing transparency, this legislation promotes greater public confidence in the PSC's decision- making and helps ensure that outcomes are based on a complete and acces- sible evidentiary record.

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.