Assembly delays repeal of 100‑foot gas hookup rule by one year after heated debate

Miss Simon, the bill sponsor, carried a chapter amendment that postpones by one year the effective date of legislation removing the so‑called "100‑foot rule" for new residential gas hookups. "When it is effective, it will actually save New Yorkers $600,000,000 a year," the sponsor said, arguing the change protects ratepayers from paying for others’ hookups.

The amendment does not alter the substantive provisions of the law, the sponsor told the chamber: it simply moves the date the repeal takes effect to Dec. 19, 2026 to give the Public Service Commission time to adopt implementing regulations. "The PSC has to create additional regulations to make clear how entities would change their billing practices to accommodate this law," Miss Simon said.

Opponents pressed the sponsor on the upstream consequences of the policy and the timing of the delay. Members cited letters of opposition from utilities and labor groups and warned the repeal — and its delayed implementation — could shift infrastructure costs onto homeowners and developers, increase construction costs and reduce local jobs. "Eliminating the 100‑foot rule ... shifts thousands of dollars per project, estimated to be $3,000 to $15,000 per connection, onto the homeowners, developers," said Miss Walsh, who said she would vote no.

Other members raised questions about whether the $600 million in projected savings would flow to customers as lower rates or be offset by other cost pressures. "So how is that savings going to migrate to the ratepayers?" Mister Gray asked. The sponsor responded that ratepayers will no longer be socialized to cover those hookup costs and that the PSC rulemaking will provide the necessary billing changes.

A prolonged parliamentary exchange between the chair and the minority over how far debate could stray from the amendment’s narrow scope interrupted floor debate; the chair’s ruling that comments must remain germane to the effective‑date change was appealed and sustained by party vote. Members used their explanations of vote to place their policy concerns on the record, with several saying they opposed the delay for political timing reasons and others saying it was a reasonable compromise.

After roll call, the Assembly announced Ayes 80, Nays 61 and recorded passage of the chapter amendment to delay the repeal’s effective date. The sponsor said the law will become effective immediately upon the amendment’s enactment insofar as the chapter takes effect, but the substantive change to billing practice will occur on the new effective date, allowing the PSC time to promulgate regulations.

The debate underscored continuing divisions over energy policy, consumer affordability, regulatory readiness and labor impacts. The Assembly proceeded to other calendar items after the vote.