NY A09768

Expands Public Service Commission membership from 5 to 11 members: 7 voting members appointed by the governor (with advice and consent of senate, including recommendations from the attorney general and state comptroller), 1 voting member each appointed by the speaker of the assembly and temporary president of the senate, and 2 non-voting members appointed by assembly and senate minority leaders.

Requires at least one of the governor's appointees to demonstrate commitment and competence in consumer advocacy or furthering the public interest in utility regulation.

Establishes mandatory 90-day deadline for the commission to complete investigations and issue determinations on petitions from customers, reduced to 30 days for emergencies affecting health or safety, with requirement to provide written explanation if deadline cannot be met.

Requires hearings on petitions to commence within 10 business days of request and determinations to be made within 30 days of the last hearing day, with final decision within 90 days of initial filing.

Allows petitioners to commence legal proceedings against the commission for failure to meet time frames and authorizes recovery of reasonable attorney's fees and court costs for prevailing petitioners.