What's happening
This bill makes permanent the provisions relating to transfers of cable franchises under New York law.
Why it matters
Ensures stability and predictability for cable companies and municipalities. by removing the expiration date (“sunset”) of the law, allowing current procedures for transferring cable franchises to continue indefinitely rather than come up for periodic renewal or expiration.
Reduces regulatory uncertainty for consumers and service providers. , which could help facilitate smoother transitions and investments when cable franchises are bought, sold, or otherwise transferred.
Maintains existing consumer protections and oversight mechanisms. established under the 2014 law, rather than risking a reversion to older, potentially less robust rules if the law were to expire.
Signals legislative support for ongoing modernization and consolidation in the telecommunications sector. , which could affect competition, pricing, and service quality for New York residents.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make Cable Transfer Rules Permanent
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 55
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4290
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 8, 2017
Introduced by Sen. FUNKE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
AN ACT to amend chapter 57 of the laws of 2014, amending the public service law relating to transfers of cable franchises, in relation to making the provisions permanent
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 2 of part R of chapter 57 of the laws of 2014, amending the public service law relating to transfers of cable franchises, is amended to read as follows:
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately [and shall apply to any application pending before the public service commission on such date and shall expire and be deemed repealed April 1, 2017].
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01664-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend chapter 57 of the laws of 2014, amending the public service law relating to transfers of cable franchises, in relation to making the provisions permanent
Purpose or general idea of bill
To make permanent the public interest review standard for reviewing cable corporation mergers or acquisitions
Summary of specific provisions
This bill would make permanent the public interest review standard for reviewing cable corporation mergers or acquisition. This standard requires a cable corporation to show that a proposed merger or acquisition is in the public interest in order for the Public Service Commission to approve the transaction.
Justification
This bill would make permanent the public interest review standard for reviewing cable corporation mergers or acquisitions. The current public interest review standard requires that the applicant in a proposed merger or acquisition demonstrate that the proposed transaction conforms to regulatory and statutory cable franchise requirements. This standard was enacted in the 2014-15 budget is due to be repealed on April 1, 2017.
This review standard ensures that the interests of current subscribers are protected and enhanced when a merger or acquisition is proposed to the Commission. Without the protections of the current public interest standard, a cable corporation transaction could result in a decline in service quality and a lack of subscriber benefits.
Prior legislative history
2015-16- A.7786A - Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediate.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.