NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A237
SPONSOR: Sayegh TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to the emergency
response plans relating to downed wires
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation would add additional individuals to existing authori-
ties who can report to electric and utility companies notice of downed
power lines, therefore starting the 36 hour timeframe for them to be
secured.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Subparagraph (xi) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 21 of
section 66 of the public service law to add the words "or individual."
This section relates to the plans electric companies must have to
promptly secure downed wires within 36 hours of notification from a
municipal emergency official, this adds individual to that section.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
JUSTIFICATION:
Under current law electric companies must have a plan to promptly secure
downed wires within 36 hours of being notified by a municipal emergency
official. This legislation greatly expands this section of law by
including individuals. The danger of downed lines is real, many resi-
dents believe when they notify their power company that the company will
take care of that concern expeditiously, however under current law this
is not a requirement. Power companies are only required to secure downed
lines within 36 hours when notified by a municipal emergency official.
Municipal emergency officials play a critical role, however they are
hamstrung by the limited bandwidth they have in an emergency, this
legislation seeks to expand the critical ability to report downed power
lines and make all individuals safer.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-20: A11016-Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
2021-22: A3245-Passed Assembly
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
237
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY(Prefiled)
January 4, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SAYEGH, DICKENS, BUTTENSCHON, SEAWRIGHT, DeSTEFA-
NO, THIELE, SANTABARBARA, TAGUE, DURSO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of
A. MILLER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations,
Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to the emergency
response plans relating to downed wires
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subparagraph (xi) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 21 of
2 section 66 of the public service law, as amended by chapter 395 of the
3 laws of 2022, is amended to read as follows:
4 (xi) appropriate safety precautions regarding electrical hazards,
5 including plans to promptly secure downed wires within thirty-six hours
6 of notification of the location of such downed wires from a municipal
7 emergency official or individual;
8 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01693-01-3
