What's happening
This bill allows the Public Service Commission to designate mobile or cellular providers as eligible for lifeline service without requiring a certificate of public convenience and necessity.
Why it matters
Increases access to low-income phone service. By allowing mobile and cellular carriers to provide lifeline service without needing a certificate of public convenience and necessity, the bill could accelerate the availability of subsidized phone service for low-income consumers.
Reduces regulatory barriers for providers. The change removes a significant administrative hurdle, making it easier for a wider range of providers—especially smaller or newer ones—to participate in the Lifeline program and potentially increasing competition.
Empowers the Public Service Commission. The bill gives the PSC more flexibility and authority to set rules for Lifeline eligibility and oversight, which could lead to swifter responses to technological changes or shifts in consumer need.
Aligns state rules with federal standards. By referencing federal law (47 U.S.C. § 214(e)), the amendment helps harmonize New York’s Lifeline designation process with national requirements, supporting consistent implementation and possibly drawing in more federal resources.
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Who cares
Commercial mobile radio and cellular telephone providers
The bill would let them receive eligible telecommunications carrier designation for Lifeline service without obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity.
New York Public Service Commission
The bill would authorize the commission to designate mobile providers as eligible telecommunications carriers for Lifeline service.
Lifeline service users
The bill could expand their choice of mobile providers by allowing additional carriers to receive designation to provide Lifeline service.
Headline styles
Expand Phone Lifeline Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Substituted by S5782A
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.517
- Rules report cal.517
- Reported
- Print number 7811a
- Amend (t) and recommit to rules
- Reported referred to rules
- 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.
Expand Cell Service Lifeline Access
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Kevin S. Parker
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7811--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 23, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN, RICHARDSON, QUART, FALL, OTIS, DE LA ROSA, CRUZ, GALEF, ASHBY, REYES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions -- reported and referred to the Committee on Rules -- Rules Committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to commercial mobile radio and cellular telephone service providers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 6 of section 5 of the public service law is amended by adding a new paragraph c to read as follows:
c. Notwithstanding paragraph a of this subdivision, the commission may designate any commercial mobile radio or cellular telephone service providers as an eligible telecommunications carrier for purposes of providing lifeline service, in addition to any commercial mobile radio or cellular telephone service providers designated as such pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 214(e) and 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(2), without requiring any such provider to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity pursuant to section ninety-nine of this chapter. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this paragraph.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11763-02-9
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.