Larry Rulison is reporting in the Times Union a bill that would give the state Legislature final approval of rate increases by gas and electric utilities would provide some additional protections for consumers, but would likely not replace the state Public Service Commission's role. State Sen. James Tedisco and Assembly member Angelo Santabarbara are sponsoring the bill, known as the Ratepayer Protection Act. The measure was drafted just as National Grid is requesting a rate hike of $331 million starting next year. National Grid's proposed increase would translate into approximately $17 more every month for a residential gas and electric customer. Under the proposed law, a utility like National Grid would be required to submit details of a rate hike to the Legislature 180 days before that rate hike would take effect. The Ratepayer Protection Act does not explicitly say the Legislature's review would eliminate the PSC's current role of reviewing and approving utility rate plans. A spokesman for Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the governor's office would review the bill before forming an opinion. The bill is currently in committee in the Senate. Read the full story in the Times Union.