Directs telephone corporations to use information regarding federal and state assistance programs that qualify recipients for telephone Lifeline service

1 Co-sponsor

• Liz Krueger

BILL NUMBER:S1261

Title of bill

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to providing for the identification of federal and state assistance programs which qualify recipients for telephone Lifeline service

Purpose or general idea of bill

The bill would expand the number of New Yorkers that qualify for telephone lifeline service.

Summary of specific provisions

The bill would add a new section 92-g to the public Service Law that would identify 11 federal and state programs, participation in which would qualify a family to receive lifeline telephone service, and would allow the public Service commission to further designate such programs.

Effects of present law which this bill would alter

Currently the qualifying programs are established by federal law and regulations of the Public Service Commission. This would be the first time that such programs are identified in state statute.

Justification

As a consequence of "welfare reform," fewer New Yorkers qualify for the programs that would currently allow them to receive lifeline telephone service. These people are no less poor and no less in need of low cost telephone service. By expanding the list of qualifying programs, the state can cause more New Yorkers to benefit from this program which is mostly paid for by federal dollars.

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

None.

Prior legislative history

S.1771 of 2011-2012 - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications S.1771 of 2010-2011 - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications S.3446 of 2009-2010 - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications A.9129 of 2007-2008 - Passed Assembly & Referred to Corporations, Authorities & Commissions in the Senate

Effective date

This act shall take effect January 1, 2015.