Research

Administrative History

The Public Service Commission Law was enacted by the Legislature in 1907 to provide adequate means for efficient regulation of railroad, gas and electric corporations and their operations within the state. The law provided for the creation of two separate Commissions of five members each, and divided the state into two separate Districts, giving one Commission exclusive jurisdiction over greater New York City and the other Commission jurisdiction over all the other counties of the State.

On January 21, 1915, the Senate appointed a Joint Legislative Committee to make an investigation of the Public Service Commissions of the First and Second Districts to ascertain whether any changes were necessary in the organization, powers, duties and administration of the commissions in the interest of public welfare and efficiency of such commissions. The Committee was responsible for examining evidence that implicated Commissioners of inefficiency, neglect of duty, and misconduct in office. A second Committee was created on April 24, 1915, to succeed the first, and continued until March 6, 1917, at which time it made its final report.

The scope of the investigation included: an investigation of the Public Service Commission of the First and Second Districts with reference to their organization, powers, duties, and their exercise of such powers and duties; an examination into the question of duplication of functions by the Federal Interstate Commerce Commission and the Public Service Commission; an examination to ascertain the advisability of any changes in the organization of the Commissions and of the powers and duties of the Commissioners; a proposal to revise the Public Service Commissions Law and such other laws or parts of laws as may be necessary to harmonize the existing provisions of the statute law applicable to the regulation of public utilities; a submission to the Legislature of such legislative bills as, in the judgment of the Committee, may be deemed necessary and proper.