Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) and State Senator Michelle Hinchey (D- 41) have passed legislation aimed at curbing chronic late billing by Central Hudson and other utility companies. Bill A.4055A/ S04234-A prohibits utilities from back-billing beyond a two-month period and also requires utilities to include a two-year record of usage with every bill.

Assemblymember Jacobson said, “Utilities have a simple responsibility to bill timely and in a transparent manner. This bill will ensure that both will happen.

“Since December 2021, thousands of Central Hudson customers, including many of my constituents, have been victims of the utility’s failed billing software rollout. Among the many issues customers have been facing, late billing is one of the worst.

Customers went months without receiving a bill only to receive a massive catch-up bill that wreaked havoc with their household finances.

“For example, once this bill is signed into law by the Governor, a utility that fails to bill a customer for six months will now only be permitted to charge that customer for the most recent two-month period,” Jacobson continued. “This bill gives Central Hudson and other utilities an enormous financial incentive to issue timely bills, ensuring that customers are no longer punished for the failures of their utility company.”