Scored 8/10 on whether it helps or hurts everyday people.
The Breaks & Smart Bill
New York bill offers tax breaks and smart meter rights
Allows surplus or uncommitted funds in the New York state climate investment account to be returned to ratepayers; establishes a one-year utility bill tax and surcharge holiday and a two-year green energy tax holiday; relates to audits of utility corporations; authorizes the public service commission to reconsider rate increases; grants customers the right to decline smart meters and prohibits such customers from being penalized or charged exercising such right; directs the public service commission to conduct a study analyzing the economic impact of the use of smart meters; relates to costs and expenses of the department of public service and the public service commission; directs the public service commission to develop a formula to determine the average cost to comply with the provisions set forth in article seventy-five of the environmental conservation law; provides for a ratepayer protection tax credit; repeals certain provisions of law relating to the assessment of costs and expenses of the department of public service and the public service commission.
Good for everyday people ·
This bill would give New Yorkers tax breaks and protect their choice about smart meters.
Our take
What we think, in plain words.
If this bill passes, it could save families money on utility bills and give them more control over their energy use. Now is the time to support it.
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The facts
What the bill actually says, no spin.
- The bill would return surplus funds to ratepayers.
- It would create a one-year tax holiday on utility bills.
- Customers could decline smart meters without being penalized.
- The public service commission could reconsider rate increases.
- A study on smart meters' economic impact would be required.
In the news
Scanning the news for this bill…
Headlines gathered from across the news, starting points to explore, not endorsements. Always read the official text before acting.
Sources
Read it yourself: the official bill and records.
This bill is in the New York Bill Book 2026
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