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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 61
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to deeming municipal franchise terms requirements of the public service commission
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Aravella Simotas
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S3794
Title of bill
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to deeming municipal franchise terms requirements of the public service commission
Purpose
This bill would provide the Public Service Commission with clear authority to enforce the requirements of municipal cable franchises.
Summary
This bill would amend subdivision 1 of section 227-a of the Public Service Law, by adding language that makes the terms of municipal cable franchises requirements of the Commission, upon request of the municipality.
Justification
Municipalities often face great difficulties in trying to obtain cable operator compliance with franchise provisions. Small and medium sized municipalities often do not have the resources to enforce requirements of their cable television franchises, particularly when the cable operator refuses to comply with municipal requests or directions.
Under current law, municipalities must sue the operator in order to force operators to comply which, due to time and expense, may not be a feasible method of enforcement. By allowing the state to assist the municipalities in enforcing their agreements, the state is providing much needed relief to already strained municipal finances, and helping to restore the public's trust that agreements made by localities will be honored.
Existing provisions of the Public Service Law require cable operators to comply with orders and requirements of the Public Service Commission and enable the Commission to fine operators for noncompliance. This bill would clearly authorize the Commission to obtain cable operator compliance with the terms of a municipal franchise in the same manner that the Commission is currently empowered to obtain compliance on its own behalf. Municipalities would retain their existing powers to enforce their own franchises and the Public Service Commission's jurisdiction to enforce municipal franchise terms would take effect only upon the request of the municipality.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.