Expanding the outreach and advocacy duties of the office of the utility advocate.
Introduced
Moved
Reached a final decision
Introduced Jan 29, 2026
Derived from the official record below.
Officially: “A Local Law to amend the New York city charter and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to expanding the outreach and advocacy duties of the office of the utility advocate” Read the full text
Consumer and Worker Protection
What it does
This bill would amend the responsibilities of the Office of the Utility Advocate to include hosting public trainings on utility billing practices and affordability, educating utility customers about their rights, connecting utility customers with appropriate agencies or organizations to receive financial or other assistance, and alerting utility customers to actions by the Public Service Commission which may affect their utility rates. The Office would also be required to monitor and make recommendations on policy issues that may affect utility affordability.
Summary written by City Council staff, from the official record. Plain-language AI rewrite with cited sections coming. Not legal advice.
Where it is
Introduced by Council · Jan 29, 2026
Referred to Comm by Council · Jan 29, 2026
Hearing Held by Committee · Apr 29, 2026
Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection
Laid Over by Committee · Apr 29, 2026
Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection
Who decides next
This bill sits with the Consumer and Worker Protection committee. These members decide whether it ever reaches a vote; 99% of bills a committee approves become law.
Harvey D. Epstein · chairCarl WilsonCarmen N. De La RosaChi A. OsséChris BanksGale A. BrewerJoann AriolaKamillah HanksLynn C. SchulmanShekar KrishnanShirley Aldebol
Official documents
Summary of Int. No. 285
officialInt. No. 285
officialMemorandum in Support
officialJanuary 29, 2026 - Stated Meeting Agenda
officialHearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 1-29-26
officialCommittee Report 4/29/26
officialFiscal Impact Statement - City Council
officialHearing Testimony 4/29/26
officialHearing Transcript 4/29/26
officialStraight from the Council record: fiscal impact statements, committee reports, and hearing transcripts as filed.
The numbers
4
sponsors on the bill
Sponsors
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record. Last action: Laid Over by Committee (Apr 29, 2026).