BILL NUMBER:  S2276

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to providing for
home cooling needs assistance for low income households


 PURPOSE :
Provides for home cooling needs assistance through the Low-Income Home
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :
Section 1.  Section 97 of the social services law is amended by adding
a new subdivision 6.

The office of temporary and disability assistance is authorized to
develop a plan, in accordance with state plan and federal regulations,
which would establish a program to help eligible low-income households
meet their home cooling needs.

It authorizes the department to act for the state in negotiations with
the federal government relative to the plan, and make arrangements to
submit, implement, administer and operate the plan.

It authorizes the department to secure for the state the benefits
available under the act.
              

It allows for the purchase of air conditioners and/or monetary
assistance with energy cooling bills.

Section two is the enacting clause.

 EXISTING LAW :
Currently, the HEAP program, as administered by the state's Office of
Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Office for the Aging, the
Division of Housing and Community Renewal and local Departments of
Social Services, grants money to qualifying low-income households for
help with heating bills.

 JUSTIFICATION :
Summer heat waves can be deadly to older people and people with
disabilities who do not have access to air conditioning.

Energy bills have gone up by as much as 40% recently, and are
anticipated to continue climbing. The price of energy spikes during
the summer months when more electricity is used than at any other
time. Summer cooling, especially in urban areas, will become even more
expensive over time, when energy shortages are expected. These higher
bills, coupled with the sluggish economy, can be lethal for many
low-income people.

This bill will allow qualifying low-income families, people with
disabilities and older people to access grant money to buy air
conditioners and/or pay for electric bills in the summer.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
2006: S.1354, 2008:  S.2474

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
The LIHEAP program is a federally-funded program, currently funded to
New York State as the HEAP program (Home Energy Assistance Program) at
$220 million. This bill will expand the program to include summer
cooling needs, and direct the State to negotiate with the federal
government for additional funding.

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
The act shall take effect immediately.