What's happening
This bill requires the state to assess and expand broadband and fiber optic services, especially in underserved New York communities.
Why it matters
Mandates a comprehensive statewide assessment. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to evaluate and publicly identify which communities lack, or have insufficient, broadband and fiber optic services, as well as those where inadequate service has led to economic or social harm. This data-driven approach ensures targeted state intervention.
Imposes new obligations on internet service providers. After this assessment, the law empowers the commission to require ISPs to build or install broadband and fiber infrastructure in underserved areas, effectively compelling private-sector expansion where market forces alone have failed.
Expands state oversight and regulatory authority. By amending the law to include internet service providers under the same regulatory article as cable companies, the bill broadens the state's ability to define, monitor, and enforce service obligations for ISPs—potentially affecting business operations, compliance costs, and consumer protections.
Prioritizes equity and competitiveness. The focus on communities with unmet needs aims not just to close the digital divide, but also to address broader social and economic inequalities exacerbated by poor connectivity, potentially boosting local economies and access to essential services.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Broadband Statewide
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
29 Co-sponsors
- Patricia Fahy
- Anthony Brindisi
- Clyde Vanel
- Amy Paulin
- Pamela J. Hunter
- Luis R. Sepúlveda
- Phil Steck
- Carmen De La Rosa
- Thomas Abinanti
- Latrice Walker
- Tremaine Wright
- Earlene Hooper
- William Colton
- Carmen E. Arroyo
- Shelley Mayer
- Andrew Raia
- Kimberly Jean-Pierre
- Inez E. Dickens
- Monica P. Wallace
- Dan Quart
- Crystal Peoples-Stokes
- Pamela Harris
- David DiPietro
- Rebecca Seawright
- Felix Ortiz
- Joseph Giglio
- Robert C. Carroll
- Angelo J. Morinello
- N. Nick Perry
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Companion bills
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.
Expand Rural Broadband Access
In Senate Committee · Energy And Telecommunications · Sponsor Patrick M. Gallivan
Expand Statewide Internet Access
Stricken · Sponsor Clyde Vanel
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7530
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 1, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. RYAN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to providing broadband and fiber optic services
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby finds and declares that large portions of the state do not have access to broadband services, particularly fiber optic service. This has made the telecommunications marketplace less competitive, and has been a partial cause of deteriorated service for customers and users of regulated telephonic and telecommunications services. This in turn has had substantial negative economic and social impacts, particularly in rural and other underserved communities.
§ 2. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 224-c to read as follows:
§ 224-c. Broadband and fiber optic services. 1. The commission shall determine, within six months of the effective date of this section, the status of broadband and fiber optic services in New York state. The commission shall identify communities without access to broadband and fiber optic services, communities in which insufficient telecommunications service has caused social or economic impacts, communities where local franchises have not been complied with, and communities in which the commission believes such broadband and/or fiber optic service is necessary for the successful implementation of commission policies on competition, affordable, and adequate service.
2. The commission shall, within six months of the completion of the determination of broadband and fiber optic services in New York state pursuant to subdivision one of this section, require construction or installation of broadband and fiber optic services by an internet service provider in communities in which broadband and fiber optic
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10554-02-7
A. 7530 2
services are determined to be absent, insufficient, or inadequate, so as to ensure the availability of broadband and fiber optic services to the greatest number of New York state residents possible.
§ 3. The article heading of article 11 of the public service law, as added by chapter 83 of the laws of 1995, is amended to read as follows:
PROVISIONS RELATING TO CABLE TELEVISION COMPANIES
AND INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS § 4. Section 212 of the public service law is amended by adding a new subdivision 15 to read as follows:
15. "Internet service provider" shall mean any person, business or organization qualified to do business in this state that provides individuals, corporations, or other entities with the ability to connect to the internet.
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
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.