S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
10135
I N A S S E M B L Y
May 8, 2024
___________
Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Solages) --
read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities
and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to semi-annual
expenditures and lobbying reports
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
53-b to read as follows:
§ 53-B. SEMI-ANNUAL EXPENDITURE AND LOBBYING REPORT. 1. ON OR BEFORE
MARCH THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE AND EVERY SEMI-ANNUAL PERI-
OD THEREAFTER, EVERY UTILITY CORPORATION SHALL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT
REGARDING ADVERTISING AND LOBBYING ON BEHALF OF THE UTILITY CORPORATION
BY THE UTILITY CORPORATION, THE OFFICERS OR TRUSTEES OF THE CORPORATION,
OR ANY EMPLOYEE OF SUCH CORPORATION.
2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE
THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
(A) "LOBBYING" SHALL MEAN ANY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE:
(I) THE PASSAGE OR DEFEAT OF ANY LEGISLATION OR RESOLUTION BY EITHER
HOUSE OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE INTRO-
DUCTION OR INTENDED INTRODUCTION OF SUCH LEGISLATION OR RESOLUTION OR
APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY LEGISLATION;
(II) THE ADOPTION, ISSUANCE, RESCISSION OR MODIFICATION OF A GUBERNA-
TORIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER;
(III) THE ADOPTION OR REJECTION OF ANY RULE OR REGULATION HAVING THE
FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW BY A STATE AGENCY;
(IV) THE PASSAGE OR DEFEAT OF ANY LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RESOLUTION, OR
REGULATION BY ANY MUNICIPALITY;
(V) THE ADOPTION, ISSUANCE, RESCISSION, MODIFICATION OR TERMS OF ANY
EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF A MUNICIPALITY;
AND
(VI) THE ADOPTION OR REJECTION OF ANY RULE, REGULATION, OR RESOLUTION
HAVING THE FORCE AND EFFECT OF A LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RESOLUTION OR
REGULATION.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15433-02-4
A. 10135 2
(B) "ADVERTISING" SHALL MEAN ANY PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITY OR PUBLIC
SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT REQUIRES THE PURCHASE OF MEDIA SPACE, INCLUD-
ING TELEVISION AIRTIME, RADIO AIRTIME, INTERNET MEDIA SPACE, BILLBOARDS,
NEWSPAPER SPACE, MAGAZINE SPACE; ANY PRIVATE PUBLICATION WHICH REQUIRES
THE EXPENDITURE OF ANY PUBLIC FUNDS; OR ANY MASS LETTER OR OTHER WRITTEN
COMMUNICATION DELIVERED BY MAIL OR BY COMPARABLE DELIVERY SERVICE,
INCLUDING EMAIL, TELEPHONE, OR OTHER DIGITAL FORMAT.
3. THE UTILITY CORPORATION SHALL PREPARE REPORTS TO INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
(A) FOR LOBBYING, SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
THE NAME OF THE TRUSTEE, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE OF THE CORPORATION ENGAGING
IN LOBBYING; THE NAME OF THE PUBLIC OFFICIAL OR PUBLIC EMPLOYEE THAT WAS
LOBBIED; THE DATE AND TIME OF THE MEETING OR COMMUNICATION; THE SUBJECT
MATTER OF THE LOBBYING, AND ANY EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE CORPORATION FOR
TRAVEL, LODGING, OR MEALS IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH LOBBYING.
(B) FOR ADVERTISING, SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO,
ITEMIZATION OF ANY PUBLIC FUNDS SPENT ON ADVERTISING AND INFORMATION
PERTAINING TO THE ADVERTISING MARKETING PLAN INCLUDING MEASURABLE GOALS
AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN.
4. THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO REQUIRE
THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT IS OTHERWISE PROTECTED FROM DISCLO-
SURE BY ANY LAW, REGULATION, ORDER, OR THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES.
§ 2. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 66-x to
read as follows:
§ 66-X. SEMI-ANNUAL EXPENDITURE AND LOBBYING REPORT. 1. ON OR BEFORE
MARCH THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE AND EVERY SEMI-ANNUAL PERI-
OD THEREAFTER, EVERY UTILITY CORPORATION SHALL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT
REGARDING ADVERTISING AND LOBBYING ON BEHALF OF THE UTILITY CORPORATION
BY THE UTILITY CORPORATION, THE OFFICERS OR TRUSTEES OF THE CORPORATION,
OR ANY EMPLOYEE OF SUCH CORPORATION.
2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE
THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
(A) "LOBBYING" SHALL MEAN ANY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE:
(I) THE PASSAGE OR DEFEAT OF ANY LEGISLATION OR RESOLUTION BY EITHER
HOUSE OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE INTRO-
DUCTION OR INTENDED INTRODUCTION OF SUCH LEGISLATION OR RESOLUTION OR
APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY LEGISLATION;
(II) THE ADOPTION, ISSUANCE, RESCISSION OR MODIFICATION OF A GUBERNA-
TORIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER;
(III) THE ADOPTION OR REJECTION OF ANY RULE OR REGULATION HAVING THE
FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW BY A STATE AGENCY;
(IV) THE PASSAGE OR DEFEAT OF ANY LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RESOLUTION, OR
REGULATION BY ANY MUNICIPALITY;
(V) THE ADOPTION, ISSUANCE, RESCISSION, MODIFICATION OR TERMS OF ANY
EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF A MUNICIPALITY;
AND
(VI) THE ADOPTION OR REJECTION OF ANY RULE, REGULATION, OR RESOLUTION
HAVING THE FORCE AND EFFECT OF A LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RESOLUTION OR
REGULATION.
(B) "ADVERTISING" SHALL MEAN ANY PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITY OR PUBLIC
SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT REQUIRES THE PURCHASE OF MEDIA SPACE, INCLUD-
ING TELEVISION AIRTIME, RADIO AIRTIME, INTERNET MEDIA SPACE, BILLBOARDS,
NEWSPAPER SPACE, MAGAZINE SPACE, ANY PRIVATE PUBLICATION WHICH REQUIRES
THE EXPENDITURE OF ANY PUBLIC FUNDS, OR ANY MASS LETTER OR OTHER WRITTEN
COMMUNICATION DELIVERED BY MAIL OR BY COMPARABLE DELIVERY SERVICE,
INCLUDING EMAIL, TELEPHONE, OR OTHER DIGITAL FORMAT.
A. 10135 3
3. THE UTILITY CORPORATION SHALL PREPARE REPORTS TO INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
(A) FOR LOBBYING, SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
THE NAME OF THE TRUSTEE, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE OF THE CORPORATION ENGAGING
IN LOBBYING; THE NAME OF THE PUBLIC OFFICIAL OR PUBLIC EMPLOYEE THAT WAS
LOBBIED; THE DATE AND TIME OF THE MEETING OR COMMUNICATION; THE SUBJECT
MATTER OF THE LOBBYING, AND ANY EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE CORPORATION FOR
TRAVEL, LODGING, OR MEALS IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH LOBBYING.
(B) FOR ADVERTISING, SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO,
ITEMIZATION OF ANY PUBLIC FUNDS SPENT ON ADVERTISING AND INFORMATION
PERTAINING TO THE ADVERTISING MARKETING PLAN INCLUDING MEASURABLE GOALS
AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN.
4. THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO REQUIRE
THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT IS OTHERWISE PROTECTED FROM DISCLO-
SURE BY ANY LAW, REGULATION, ORDER, OR THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES.
§ 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 78-a to
read as follows:
§ 78-A. SEMI-ANNUAL EXPENDITURE AND LOBBYING REPORT. 1. ON OR BEFORE
MARCH THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE AND EVERY SEMI-ANNUAL PERI-
OD THEREAFTER, EVERY UTILITY CORPORATION SHALL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT
REGARDING ADVERTISING AND LOBBYING ON BEHALF OF THE UTILITY CORPORATION
BY THE UTILITY CORPORATION, THE OFFICERS OR TRUSTEES OF THE CORPORATION,
OR ANY EMPLOYEE OF SUCH CORPORATION.
2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE
THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
(A) "LOBBYING" SHALL MEAN ANY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE:
(I) THE PASSAGE OR DEFEAT OF ANY LEGISLATION OR RESOLUTION BY EITHER
HOUSE OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE INTRO-
DUCTION OR INTENDED INTRODUCTION OF SUCH LEGISLATION OR RESOLUTION OR
APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY LEGISLATION;
(II) THE ADOPTION, ISSUANCE, RESCISSION OR MODIFICATION OF A GUBERNA-
TORIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER;
(III) THE ADOPTION OR REJECTION OF ANY RULE OR REGULATION HAVING THE
FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW BY A STATE AGENCY;
(IV) THE PASSAGE OR DEFEAT OF ANY LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RESOLUTION, OR
REGULATION BY ANY MUNICIPALITY;
(V) THE ADOPTION, ISSUANCE, RESCISSION, MODIFICATION OR TERMS OF ANY
EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF A MUNICIPALITY;
AND
(VI) THE ADOPTION OR REJECTION OF ANY RULE, REGULATION, OR RESOLUTION
HAVING THE FORCE AND EFFECT OF A LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RESOLUTION OR
REGULATION.
(B) "ADVERTISING" SHALL MEAN ANY PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITY OR PUBLIC
SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT REQUIRES THE PURCHASE OF MEDIA SPACE, INCLUD-
ING TELEVISION AIRTIME, RADIO AIRTIME, INTERNET MEDIA SPACE, BILLBOARDS,
NEWSPAPER SPACE, MAGAZINE SPACE, ANY PRIVATE PUBLICATION WHICH REQUIRES
THE EXPENDITURE OF ANY PUBLIC FUNDS, OR ANY MASS LETTER OR OTHER WRITTEN
COMMUNICATION DELIVERED BY MAIL OR BY COMPARABLE DELIVERY SERVICE,
INCLUDING EMAIL, TELEPHONE, OR OTHER DIGITAL FORMAT.
3. THE UTILITY CORPORATION SHALL PREPARE REPORTS TO INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
(A) FOR LOBBYING, SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
THE NAME OF THE TRUSTEE, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE OF THE CORPORATION ENGAGING
IN LOBBYING; THE NAME OF THE PUBLIC OFFICIAL OR PUBLIC EMPLOYEE THAT WAS
LOBBIED; THE DATE AND TIME OF THE MEETING OR COMMUNICATION; THE SUBJECT
A. 10135 4
MATTER OF THE LOBBYING, AND ANY EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE CORPORATION FOR
TRAVEL, LODGING, OR MEALS IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH LOBBYING.
(B) FOR ADVERTISING, SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO,
ITEMIZATION OF ANY PUBLIC FUNDS SPENT ON ADVERTISING AND INFORMATION
PERTAINING TO THE ADVERTISING MARKETING PLAN INCLUDING MEASURABLE GOALS
AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN.
4. THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO REQUIRE
THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT IS OTHERWISE PROTECTED FROM DISCLO-
SURE BY ANY LAW, REGULATION, ORDER, OR THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES.
§ 4. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 89-q to
read as follows:
§ 89-Q. SEMI-ANNUAL EXPENDITURE AND LOBBYING REPORT. 1. ON OR BEFORE
MARCH THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE AND EVERY SEMI-ANNUAL PERI-
OD THEREAFTER, EVERY WATER-WORKS CORPORATION SHALL REPORT TO THE DEPART-
MENT REGARDING ADVERTISING AND LOBBYING ON BEHALF OF THE UTILITY CORPO-
RATION BY THE UTILITY CORPORATION, THE OFFICERS OR TRUSTEES OF THE
CORPORATION, OR ANY EMPLOYEE OF SUCH CORPORATION.
2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE
THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
(A) "LOBBYING" SHALL MEAN ANY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE:
(I) THE PASSAGE OR DEFEAT OF ANY LEGISLATION OR RESOLUTION BY EITHER
HOUSE OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE INTRO-
DUCTION OR INTENDED INTRODUCTION OF SUCH LEGISLATION OR RESOLUTION OR
APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY LEGISLATION;
(II) THE ADOPTION, ISSUANCE, RESCISSION OR MODIFICATION OF A GUBERNA-
TORIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER;
(III) THE ADOPTION OR REJECTION OF ANY RULE OR REGULATION HAVING THE
FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW BY A STATE AGENCY;
(IV) THE PASSAGE OR DEFEAT OF ANY LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RESOLUTION, OR
REGULATION BY ANY MUNICIPALITY;
(V) THE ADOPTION, ISSUANCE, RESCISSION, MODIFICATION OR TERMS OF ANY
EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF A MUNICIPALITY;
AND
(VI) THE ADOPTION OR REJECTION OF ANY RULE, REGULATION, OR RESOLUTION
HAVING THE FORCE AND EFFECT OF A LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RESOLUTION OR
REGULATION.
(B) "ADVERTISING" SHALL MEAN ANY PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITY OR PUBLIC
SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT REQUIRES THE PURCHASE OF MEDIA SPACE, INCLUD-
ING TELEVISION AIRTIME, RADIO AIRTIME, INTERNET MEDIA SPACE, BILLBOARDS,
NEWSPAPER SPACE, MAGAZINE SPACE, ANY PRIVATE PUBLICATION WHICH REQUIRES
THE EXPENDITURE OF ANY PUBLIC FUNDS, OR ANY MASS LETTER OR OTHER WRITTEN
COMMUNICATION DELIVERED BY MAIL OR BY COMPARABLE DELIVERY SERVICE,
INCLUDING EMAIL, TELEPHONE, OR OTHER DIGITAL FORMAT.
3. THE UTILITY CORPORATION SHALL PREPARE REPORTS TO INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
(A) FOR LOBBYING, SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
THE NAME OF THE TRUSTEE, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE OF THE CORPORATION ENGAGING
IN LOBBYING; THE NAME OF THE PUBLIC OFFICIAL OR PUBLIC EMPLOYEE THAT WAS
LOBBIED; THE DATE AND TIME OF THE MEETING OR COMMUNICATION; THE SUBJECT
MATTER OF THE LOBBYING, AND ANY EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE CORPORATION FOR
TRAVEL, LODGING, OR MEALS IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH LOBBYING.
(B) FOR ADVERTISING, SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO,
ITEMIZATION OF ANY PUBLIC FUNDS SPENT ON ADVERTISING AND INFORMATION
PERTAINING TO THE ADVERTISING MARKETING PLAN INCLUDING MEASURABLE GOALS
AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN.
A. 10135 5
4. THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO REQUIRE
THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT IS OTHERWISE PROTECTED FROM DISCLO-
SURE BY ANY LAW, REGULATION, ORDER, OR THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES.
§ 5. This act shall take effect immediately.