S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
9796
I N A S S E M B L Y
April 8, 2022
___________
Introduced by M. of A. LUCAS -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to establishing
discount programs for low-income senior citizens and individuals with
a disability
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The public service law is amended by adding a new section
66-s to read as follows:
§ 66-S. UTILITY DISCOUNT PROGRAM. 1. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE A
GAS CORPORATION, ELECTRIC CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY TO ESTABLISH A
DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A
DISABILITY NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER A YEARLY BENEFIT TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR
CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN PERCENT
DISCOUNT ON UTILITY BILLS. THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT
BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY A GAS
CORPORATION, ELECTRIC CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY TO CUSTOMERS.
(B) A GAS CORPORATION, ELECTRIC CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY WHICH
OFFERS SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAIL-
ABILITY AND AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT ON THE WEBSITE OF SUCH GAS CORPO-
RATION, ELECTRIC CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY. THE AVAILABILITY AND
AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE
ACCESSIBILITY PAGE OF THE WEBSITE OF SUCH GAS CORPORATION, ELECTRIC
CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY.
2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
(A) "INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PERSON (I) WITH A
DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED
NINETY-TWO OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; AND (II) WHO IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A)
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B) SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY
INCOME (SSI) BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, (C) DISA-
BILITY PENSION OR DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D) DISABILITY PENSION OR
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14944-01-2
A. 9796 2
DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES POSTAL
SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE OF RECEIVING DISA-
BILITY BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM OR THE
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROGRAM AND CURRENTLY RECEIVING MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS PROVIDED IN
SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; AND
(B) "LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN A PERSON WHO (I) IS AT
LEAST SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE; AND (II) EITHER (A) HAS HAD A TOTAL
HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE
INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; OR (B) IS ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO
RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP),
HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) OR OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE ASSIST-
ANCE PROGRAMS.
§ 2. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 89-q to
read as follows:
§ 89-Q. WATER DISCOUNT PROGRAM. 1. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE
WATERWORKS CORPORATIONS AND MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEMS TO ESTABLISH A
DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A
DISABILITY NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER A YEARLY BENEFIT TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR
CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN PERCENT
DISCOUNT ON WATER UTILITY BILLS. THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL
NOT BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY A
WATERWORKS CORPORATION OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM TO CUSTOMERS.
(B) A WATERWORKS CORPORATION OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM WHICH OFFERS
SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAILABILITY AND
AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT ON THE WEBSITE OF SUCH WATERWORKS CORPORATIONS
OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM. THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT
SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE ACCESSIBILITY PAGE OF THE
WEBSITE OF SUCH WATERWORKS CORPORATION OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM.
2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
(A) "INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PERSON (I) WITH A
DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED
NINETY-TWO OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; AND (II) WHO IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A)
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B) SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY
INCOME (SSI) BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, (C) DISA-
BILITY PENSION OR DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D) DISABILITY PENSION OR
DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES POSTAL
SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE OF RECEIVING DISA-
BILITY BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM OR THE
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROGRAM AND CURRENTLY RECEIVING MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS PROVIDED IN
SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; AND
(B) "LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN A PERSON WHO (I) IS AT
LEAST SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE; AND (II) EITHER (A) HAS HAD A TOTAL
HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE
INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; OR (B) IS ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO
RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP),
HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) OR OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE ASSIST-
ANCE PROGRAMS.
§ 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 91-b to
read as follows:
A. 9796 3
§ 91-B. TELEPHONE DISCOUNT PROGRAM. 1. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE A
TELEPHONE CORPORATION TO ESTABLISH A DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME
SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY NO LATER THAN NINETY
DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER
A YEARLY BENEFIT TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A
DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN PERCENT DISCOUNT ON TELEPHONE BILLS. THE
FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND SHALL
NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY A TELEPHONE CORPORATION TO CUSTOMERS.
(B) A TELEPHONE CORPORATION WHICH OFFERS SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL
CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT ON
THE WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION. THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT
OF SUCH DISCOUNT SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE ACCESSI-
BILITY PAGE OF THE WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION.
2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
(A) "INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PERSON (I) WITH A
DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED
NINETY-TWO OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; AND (II) WHO IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A)
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B) SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY
INCOME (SSI) BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, (C) DISA-
BILITY PENSION OR DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D) DISABILITY PENSION OR
DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES POSTAL
SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE OF RECEIVING DISA-
BILITY BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM OR THE
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROGRAM AND CURRENTLY RECEIVING MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS PROVIDED IN
SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; AND
(B) "LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN A PERSON WHO (I) IS AT
LEAST SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE; AND (II) EITHER (A) HAS HAD A TOTAL
HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE
INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; OR (B) IS ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO
RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP),
HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) OR OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE ASSIST-
ANCE PROGRAMS.
§ 4. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 224-d
to read as follows:
§ 224-D. CABLE DISCOUNT PROGRAM. 1. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW, THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO REQUIRE A
TELEPHONE CORPORATION, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION SEVENTEEN OF SECTION
TWO OF THIS CHAPTER, AND A CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY, AS DEFINED IN
SECTION TWO HUNDRED TWELVE OF THIS ARTICLE, THAT PROVIDES CABLE SERVICE
TO CUSTOMERS IN NEW YORK, TO ESTABLISH A DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME
SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY NO LATER THAN NINETY
DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER
A YEARLY BENEFIT TO LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A
DISABILITY IN THE FORM OF A TEN PERCENT DISCOUNT ON CABLE BILLS. THE
FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND SHALL
NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY A TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELE-
VISION COMPANY TO CUSTOMERS.
(B) A TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY WHICH OFFERS
SUCH DISCOUNT PROGRAM SHALL CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISE THE AVAILABILITY AND
AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT ON THE WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR
CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY. THE AVAILABILITY AND AMOUNT OF SUCH DISCOUNT
A. 9796 4
SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE ACCESSIBILITY PAGE OF THE
WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY.
2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
(A) "INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN A PERSON (I) WITH A
DISABILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED
NINETY-TWO OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; AND (II) WHO IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING (A)
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), (B) SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY
INCOME (SSI) BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, (C) DISA-
BILITY PENSION OR DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, (D) DISABILITY PENSION OR
DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES POSTAL
SERVICE, OR (E) THOSE PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE BY VIRTUE OF RECEIVING DISA-
BILITY BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM OR THE
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROGRAM AND CURRENTLY RECEIVING MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE BENEFITS BASED ON DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY AS PROVIDED IN
SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; AND
(B) "LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN" SHALL MEAN A PERSON WHO (I) IS AT
LEAST SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE; AND (II) EITHER (A) HAS HAD A TOTAL
HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE
INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, AS VERIFIED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; OR (B) IS ANNUALLY ELIGIBLE TO
RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP),
HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) OR OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE ASSIST-
ANCE PROGRAMS.
§ 5. This act shall take effect immediately.