What's happening
This bill updates approval standards for cable system franchise renewals and transfers, ensuring compliance with regulations and public interest.
Why it matters
Clarifies distinct approval standards for franchise renewals/amendments versus transfers. The bill separates the criteria for approving franchise renewals or amendments from those for approving transfers or changes in control, ensuring each process addresses relevant regulatory and public interest concerns.
Strengthens oversight of cable system transfers. Applicants must now explicitly demonstrate that both the new owner (“proposed transferee”) and the cable system itself meet regulatory standards, promoting accountability and continuity of service quality when ownership changes.
Preserves flexibility for public interest. Even if a cable system or its new owner does not fully meet all regulatory standards, the commission may still approve the transfer or renewal if it determines that doing so serves the public interest, allowing for pragmatic decision-making in unique cases.
Applies retroactively to pending applications. The new approval standards immediately affect any franchise transfer or renewal applications already being considered, ensuring consistent regulatory treatment for ongoing cases.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Regulate Cable System Transfers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Advanced to third reading cal.895
- Reported
- Reported referred to codes
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
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.
Tighten Cable Transfer Rules
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Joseph A. Griffo
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10356
IN ASSEMBLY
April 17, 2018
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN -- (at request of the Department of Public Service) -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to transfers of cable systems
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 222 of the public service law, as added by chapter 83 of the laws of 1995, is amended to read as follows:
3. (a) The commission shall approve the application for renewal or amendment of a franchise unless it finds that the applicant[, the proposed transferee] or the cable television system does not conform to the standards established in the regulations promulgated by the commission pursuant to section two hundred fifteen of this article or that approval would be in violation of law, any regulation or standard promulgated by the commission or the public interest, provided however, that a failure to conform to the standards established in the regulations promulgated by the commission shall not preclude approval of any such application if the commission finds that such approval would serve the public interest.
(b) The commission shall not approve the application for a transfer of a franchise, any transfer of control of a franchise or certificate of confirmation, or of facilities constituting a significant part of any cable television system unless the applicant demonstrates that the proposed transferee and the cable television system conform to the standards established in the regulations promulgated by the commission pursuant to section two hundred fifteen of this article, that approval would not be in violation of law, or any regulation or standards promulgated by the commission, and that the transfer is otherwise in the public interest; provided, however, that a failure to conform to the standards established in the regulations promulgated by the commission shall not preclude approval of any such application if the commission finds that such approval would serve the public interest.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to any application pending before the public service commission on such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14513-01-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.