Moratoriums on some foreclosures and utility disconnections are likely to be on the state’s agenda.

The 2022 legislative session starts today. Two bills introduced recently are likely to be heard quickly in their respective chambers, however.

S.7668, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Parker would extend electric, gas, water and municipal shut-off protections for residential and business customers who have experienced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic through June 30. The last disconnection moratorium ended Dec. 21.

Parker proposes to revive the “self-certification” process that was created by the state Department of Public Service for those customers that have experienced a financial hardship from COVID-19. Utilities would have 48 hours from the day the bill becomes law to reconnect disconnected customers who can self-certify financial hardship due to the pandemic.

“The bill intends to allow households in arrears to arrange for paying their utility bill, without being forced to choose which vital responsibilities to skip, such as childcare, food, health care, or rent, in order to pay for utility arrears,” Parker said. “In addition, the bill will allow small business customers to make reasonable common sense plans to pay arrears while maintaining employment and providing local community services. This bill also provides time for the Legislature and the Executive to resolve the utility arrears crisis that is only compounding with each passing day.”

Sen. Rachel May has introduced S.7637 in the Senate to prohibit the start of foreclosure proceedings for homeowners that are eligible for mortgage assistance funding through the Homeowner Assistance Fund, as long as the homeowner has applied for assistance. The state received $539 million from the federal government to help homeowners who have experienced financial hardships during the pandemic, but applications for the program didn’t begin until Jan. 3. New York was the first state to receive the funding through the $10 billion federal Homeowner Assistance Fund that was approved as part of the spring 2021 COVID-19stimulus package. The program’s website, www.nyhomeownerfund.org, included a warning that more applications are expected than can be funded.

“This bill helps to slow a legal system that does not have any off-ramps to slow foreclosure if a homeowner has applied for mortgage assistance,” May wrote in her legislative justification. “By requiring a stay until a determination or distribution is made, people will be allowed to keep their houses. However, such a stay may not be applicable where the homeowner has intentionally caused significant damage to the property, and this bill provides those guard rails.”