New York A 9621: Establishes the office of energy and equity within the department of state

Bill Text

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A09621 Summary:

BILL NOA09621 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS S09096

&nbsp

SPONSORBarrett

&nbsp

COSPNSRBurdick, Shimsky, Otis, Colton, Simon, McMahon, Reyes, Levenberg, Romero, McDonald, Schiavoni,
 Cashman

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Add §94-e, Exec L; add §99-uu, St Fin L; amd §1854, Pub Auth L

&nbsp

Establishes the office of energy and equity within the department of state to help ensure equitable access to all energy affordability initiatives available in the state by streamlining the administration of energy affordability and access programs, maximizing the support available to each eligible household, and enhancing the transparency, accountability, and effectiveness of energy affordability and access programs; establishes the energy affordability fund.

Go to top A09621 Actions:

BILL NOA09621 

&nbsp

01/21/2026referred to governmental operations

Go to topA09621 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA09621 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA09621 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 9621

 IN ASSEMBLY

 January 21, 2026
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. BARRETT -- read once and referred to the Commit-
 tee on Governmental Operations

 AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the
 office of energy and equity; and to amend the state finance law and
 the public authorities law, in relation to establishing the energy
 affordability fund

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 94-e
 2 to read as follows:
 3 § 94-e. Office of energy and equity. 1. Legislative intent. The
 4 legislature hereby finds and declares that access to affordable energy
 5 is essential to the health, safety, and economic well-being of the resi-
 6 dents of the state of New York. Excessive household energy costs impose
 7 a disproportionate burden on low- and moderate-income households,
 8 seniors, persons with disabilities, and residents of disadvantaged
 9 communities, increasing the risk of utility arrearages, service termi-
 10 nations, housing instability, and adverse health outcomes.
 11 The legislature further finds that the state administers multiple
 12 energy affordability, bill assistance, energy efficiency, and weatheri-
 13 zation programs through various agencies and public authorities. The
 14 administration of such programs is fragmented, resulting in administra-
 15 tive barriers, inconsistent eligibility determinations, limited coordi-
 16 nation, and gaps in participation. As a result, many eligible households
 17 do not receive the full scope of energy affordability assistance for
 18 which they qualify, and statewide energy burdens remain unacceptably
 19 high.
 20 The legislature further finds that improving energy affordability is a
 21 matter of statewide concern and is integral to advancing economic equi-
 22 ty, consumer protection, housing stability, and environmental justice. A
 23 coordinated, transparent, and data-driven approach is necessary to
 24 ensure that energy affordability programs are effective, equitable, and
 25 accessible. Accordingly, the legislature finds that it is necessary to
 26 establish an Office of Energy and Equity within the department of state

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD10142-02-6

 A. 9621 2

 1 to: coordinate and streamline the administration of energy affordabili-
 2 ty programs; maximize the support available to eligible households;
 3 reduce administrative and structural barriers to access; collect and
 4 report data regarding program participation and outcomes; and provide
 5 policy recommendations to improve the effectiveness, equity, and acces-
 6 sibility of such programs.
 7 2. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms
 8 shall have the following meanings:
 9 (a) "energy affordability program" means any program administered by
 10 the state that is intended to reduce a household's energy burden,
 11 including but not limited to any programs that provide utility bill
 12 assistance, improve energy efficiency, or support weatherization, pre-e-
 13 lec