New York legislation · 2025-2026 General Assembly
New York S597: Requires the public service commission to conduct audits of private water companies
Status: In committee, October 13, 2026
Establishes the "small water utility transparency act"; requires the public service commission to conduct audits of certain private water companies; requires certain private water companies which are under certain investigations to file public updates on the status of compliance with such orders.
What the bill says
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to reporting requirements and audits of private water companies.
From the amended text, October 13, 2026:
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to reporting requirements and audits of private water companies THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "small water utility transparency act". § 2. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 89-q to read as follows: § 89-Q. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO PRIVATE WATER COMPANIES. 1. THE COMMISSION SHALL CONDUCT FULL AUDITS OF REGULATED PRIVATE WATER COMPANIES WITH GROSS ANNUAL REVENUES BELOW TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ON A THREE- TO FIVE-YEAR CYCLE, AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION. SUCH AUDITS SHALL FOCUS ON CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN THE PRIVATE WATER COMPANY, COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL WATER SAFETY REGULATIONS AND LAWS, FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF THE PRIVATE WATER COMPANY, MANAGEMENT ABILITY AND FUNCTION OF THE PRIVATE WATER COMPANY, AND WATER QUALITY, ADEQUACY, AND AFFORDABILITY OF THE PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM. THE COMMISSION SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO PERFORM SUCH AUDITS AND CONSISTENT WITH SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION. 2. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE THAT ANY REGULATED PRIVATE WATER COMPANY WITH GROSS ANNUAL REVENUES BELOW TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS WHICH IS UNDER INVESTIGATION EITHER BY MOTION …
Sponsors
- Michelle Hinchey (D, 41) · primary sponsor
- Rachel May (D, 48)
- James Skoufis (D, 42)
- Lea Webb (D, 52)
Latest actions
- : PRINT NUMBER 597A
- : AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
- : REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
- : RETURNED TO SENATE
- : DIED IN ASSEMBLY
- : REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
- : DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
- : PASSED SENATE
- : ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1598
- : COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
Votes
- FLOOR Vote (June 10, 2025): 41 yea, 18 nay, passed
- FLOOR Vote (June 10, 2025): 57 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Rules Committee: COMMITTEE Vote (June 9, 2025): 21 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Rules Committee Vote (June 9, 2025): 21 yea, 0 nay, passed
- FLOOR Vote (June 9, 2025): 41 yea, 20 nay, passed
- Senate Energy And Telecommunications Committee: COMMITTEE Vote (January 21, 2025): 8 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Public Service Law
Common questions
- What is S597?
- S597 is a bill in the New York Legislature (2025-2026 General Assembly): Requires the public service commission to conduct audits of private water companies.
- What does S597 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the public service law, in relation to reporting requirements and audits of private water companies.
- What is the status of S597?
- In committee as of October 13, 2026. Latest action: PRINT NUMBER 597A (October 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored S597?
- Michelle Hinchey (D, 41), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S597?
- On the New York Legislature website: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S597
Source: official New York record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.