S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1334
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
January 9, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, COMRIE, FERNANDEZ, HINCHEY, JACKSON, WEBB --
read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to
the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to establishing
discount programs for veterans
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-x to read as follows:
§ 66-X. 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 VETERANS NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFEC-
TIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER A YEARLY BENEFIT TO
VETERANS 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 CORPO-
RATION 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. (A) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "VETERAN" SHALL MEAN A RESI-
DENT OF THE STATE WHO (I) IS THE PRIMARY NAMED UTILITY SERVICE ACCOUNT-
HOLDER; (II) HAS HAD A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOU-
SAND DOLLARS FOR THE MOST RECENT TWO CONSECUTIVE INCOME TAX YEARS
BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND TWENTY, AS VERIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXA-
TION AND FINANCE; AND (III) SERVED IN AND WHO RECEIVED ANY HONORABLE OR
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03278-01-5
S. 1334 2
GENERAL DISCHARGE FROM THE UNITED STATES ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE
CORPS, COAST GUARD AND/OR THE RESERVES THEREOF, AND/OR THE ARMY NATIONAL
GUARD, AIR NATIONAL GUARD, NEW YORK GUARD OR NEW YORK NAVAL MILITIA.
(B) A PRIMARY NAMED UTILITY SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER SHALL PROVIDE THE
GAS CORPORATION, ELECTRIC CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY AN AUTHENTICAT-
ED COPY OF SUCH ACCOUNTHOLDER'S DISCHARGE PAPERS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SUCH
DISCOUNT TO DEMONSTRATE ELIGIBILITY UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
SION.
§ 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 VETERANS NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFEC-
TIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL OFFER A YEARLY BENEFIT TO
VETERANS 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 CORPORATION 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. (A) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "VETERAN" SHALL MEAN A RESI-
DENT OF THE STATE WHO (I) IS THE PRIMARY NAMED WATERWORKS OR MUNICIPAL
WATER SYSTEM SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER; (II) HAS HAD A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD
INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE MOST RECENT TWO
CONSECUTIVE INCOME TAX YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND TWENTY, AS VERI-
FIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; AND (III) SERVED IN AND
WHO RECEIVED ANY HONORABLE OR GENERAL DISCHARGE FROM THE UNITED STATES
ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, COAST GUARD AND/OR THE RESERVES
THEREOF, AND/OR THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, AIR NATIONAL GUARD, NEW YORK
GUARD OR NEW YORK NAVAL MILITIA.
(B) A PRIMARY NAMED WATERWORKS OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM SERVICE
ACCOUNTHOLDER SHALL PROVIDE THE WATERWORKS CORPORATION OR MUNICIPAL
WATER SYSTEM AN AUTHENTICATED COPY OF SUCH ACCOUNTHOLDER'S DISCHARGE
PAPERS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SUCH DISCOUNT TO DEMONSTRATE ELIGIBILITY UNDER
PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
§ 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 91-b to
read as follows:
§ 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 VETERANS NO
LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. SUCH
PROGRAM SHALL OFFER A YEARLY BENEFIT TO VETERANS 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.
S. 1334 3
(C) PARTICIPATION IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S LIFELINE OR AFFORDABLE
CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM, ANY SUCCESSOR FEDERAL PROGRAM OR ANY SUCCESSOR
STATE PROGRAM ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY SIMI-
LAR IN ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION CRITERIA TO THE FEDERAL GOVERN-
MENT'S AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM SHALL SATISFY THE TELEPHONE
CORPORATION'S OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY'S OBLIGATION TO ESTABLISH A
DISCOUNT PROGRAM UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, UNLESS THE
COMMISSION DEEMS IT INSUFFICIENT TO SATISFY SUCH REQUIREMENTS. THE
TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY SHALL NOT BE OBLIGATED
TO ESTABLISH A DISCOUNT PROGRAM UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION
IF THE COMMISSION DOES NOT ESTABLISH A SUCCESSOR STATE PROGRAM.
(D) A TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY SHALL NOT BE
OBLIGATED TO ESTABLISH A DISCOUNT PROGRAM UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS
SUBDIVISION IF THE COMMISSION DEEMS A CURRENT PROGRAM ALREADY IN PLACE
THROUGH SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY SATISFIES
THE CRITERIA ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION.
(E) BEFORE APPLYING A DISCOUNT UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
SION, A TELEPHONE CORPORATION MAY REQUIRE PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY FROM THE
PRIMARY NAMED TELEPHONE SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR IN
WHICH THE DISCOUNT IS SOUGHT.
2. (A) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "VETERAN" SHALL MEAN A RESI-
DENT OF THE STATE WHO (I) IS THE PRIMARY NAMED TELEPHONE SERVICE
ACCOUNTHOLDER; (II) HAS HAD A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE MOST RECENT TWO CONSECUTIVE INCOME TAX YEARS
BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND TWENTY, AS VERIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXA-
TION AND FINANCE; AND (III) SERVED IN AND WHO RECEIVED ANY HONORABLE OR
GENERAL DISCHARGE FROM THE UNITED STATES ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE
CORPS, COAST GUARD AND/OR THE RESERVES THEREOF, AND/OR THE ARMY NATIONAL
GUARD, AIR NATIONAL GUARD, NEW YORK GUARD OR NEW YORK NAVAL MILITIA.
(B) A PRIMARY NAMED TELEPHONE SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER SHALL PROVIDE THE
TELEPHONE CORPORATION AN AUTHENTICATED COPY OF SUCH ACCOUNTHOLDER'S
DISCHARGE PAPERS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SUCH DISCOUNT TO DEMONSTRATE ELIGI-
BILITY UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
§ 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 VETERANS
NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. SUCH
PROGRAM SHALL OFFER A YEARLY BENEFIT TO VETERANS 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 TELEVISION 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
SHALL ALSO BE CONSPICUOUSLY ADVERTISED ON THE ACCESSIBILITY PAGE OF THE
WEBSITE OF SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY.
(C) PARTICIPATION IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S LIFELINE OR AFFORDABLE
CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM, OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROGRAM THE COMMISSION SHALL DEEM
SUFFICIENT, SHALL SATISFY THE TELEPHONE CORPORATION'S OR CABLE TELE-
VISION COMPANY'S OBLIGATION TO ESTABLISH A DISCOUNT PROGRAM UNDER PARA-
S. 1334 4
GRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, UNLESS THE COMMISSION DEEMS IT INSUFFI-
CIENT TO SATISFY SUCH REQUIREMENTS.
(D) BEFORE APPLYING A DISCOUNT UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
SION, A TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY MAY REQUIRE
PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY FROM THE PRIMARY NAMED CABLE SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER
FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR IN WHICH THE DISCOUNT IS SOUGHT.
2. (A) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "VETERAN" SHALL MEAN A RESI-
DENT OF THE STATE WHO (I) IS THE PRIMARY NAMED CABLE SERVICE ACCOUNT-
HOLDER; (II) HAS HAD A TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN FIFTY THOU-
SAND DOLLARS FOR THE MOST RECENT TWO CONSECUTIVE INCOME TAX YEARS
BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND TWENTY, AS VERIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXA-
TION AND FINANCE; AND (III) RECEIVED ANY HONORABLE OR GENERAL DISCHARGE
FROM THE UNITED STATES ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, COAST GUARD
AND/OR THE RESERVES THEREOF, AND/OR THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, AIR
NATIONAL GUARD, NEW YORK GUARD OR NEW YORK NAVAL MILITIA.
(B) A PRIMARY NAMED CABLE SERVICE ACCOUNTHOLDER SHALL PROVIDE THE
TELEPHONE CORPORATION OR THE CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY AN AUTHENTICATED
COPY OF SUCH ACCOUNTHOLDER'S DISCHARGE PAPERS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SUCH
DISCOUNT TO DEMONSTRATE ELIGIBILITY UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
SION.
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law.