Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a sweeping utility reform bill (A.4055/S.4234) sponsored by Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) and State Senator Michelle Hinchey (D-41) aimed at curbing chronic late billing by Central Hudson and other utility companies.

The new law prohibits utilities from backbilling for services for which the bill is three months late and requires the disclosure of prior billing data. These reforms protect both residential and small business customers.

“For more than two years, customers of Central Hudson have been plagued with non-billing, late billing, inaccurate bills and excessive use of estimated billing. This new law is an important step in alleviating this intolerable situation,” said Jacobson.

“Utilities have a simple responsibility to bill timely and in a transparent manner. This law will ensure that both will happen. Utilities now have an enormous financial incentive to issue timely bills,” added Jacobson.