NY S00405

Establishes a utility intervenor reimbursement program allowing residential and small business customer groups and non-profit organizations to recover reasonable advocate fees, expert witness fees, and other participation costs from utility proceedings before the Public Service Commission.

Defines "participant" as groups representing significant numbers of residential or small business customers (businesses with gross annual revenue of $250,000 or less) or authorized non-profit organizations, excluding those with principal interests in utility company welfare or profit-seeking businesses.

Requires participants to apply for compensation with detailed descriptions of anticipated costs and proof of significant financial hardship if seeking advance payments; the Department of Public Service must issue a decision within 30 days determining if the participant can make a substantial contribution to the proceeding.

Limits compensation awards to market rates paid to persons of comparable training and experience, with utilities required to pay awarded compensation to the Department within 30 days, which then remits funds to participants.

Creates the "utility intervenor account" in the joint custody of the State Comptroller and Commissioner of Taxation and Finance to hold all reimbursement monies received from utilities; act takes effect 30 days after becoming law.