What's happening
This bill requires the state to assess and expand broadband and fiber optic internet access, especially in underserved New York communities.
Why it matters
Addresses digital inequality by requiring a comprehensive assessment of which New York communities lack adequate broadband and fiber optic services. , ensuring that public policy directly targets areas with the greatest service gaps.
Mandates prompt action, with a strict timeline for both assessment (six months) and required infrastructure expansion (an additional six months). , signaling a sense of urgency in closing the digital divide and potentially accelerating economic and social development in underserved regions.
Empowers the Public Service Commission to enforce construction or installation of broadband infrastructure where needed. , which could compel internet service providers to serve rural or less profitable areas, altering business practices and access across the state.
Expands the scope of telecommunications law to include internet service providers alongside cable companies. , potentially increasing regulatory oversight and consumer protections for internet services, not just traditional cable providers.
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Who cares
Internet service providers
The bill would require the Public Service Commission to order provider construction or installation of broadband and fiber optic services in communities where service is absent, insufficient or inadequate.
Rural and underserved residents
The bill would target service gaps and inadequate telecommunications service to make broadband and fiber optic services available to as many New York residents as possible.
Public Service Commission
The commission would have six months to assess statewide service and identify affected communities, followed by six months to require construction or installation.
Local governments with telecommunications franchises
The commission would be required to identify communities where local franchises have not been complied with.
Headline styles
Expand Statewide Internet Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1068
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2019
Introduced by Sens. GALLIVAN, BAILEY, HELMING -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00855-01-9
S. 1068 2
service provider in communities in which broadband and fiber optic 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to providing broad- band and fiber optic services
Purpose
This legislation amends public service law by adding a new section (224-c) and amending section 212.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 finds that large portions of the state do not have access to broadband services, particularly fiber optic services, and that this has substantial negative economic and social impacts.
Section 2 requires the public service commission to determine the level of fiber optic access in communities across New York. It further requires the public service commission to require construction of fiber optic services in communities with low levels of access.
Section 3 changes the article heading of Art. 11 of the Public Service Law.
Section 4 defines internet service provider. Section 5 establishes the effective date.
Justification
Large portions of the state do not have access to broadband services, particularly fiber optic service. This has made the telecommunications marketplace less competitive. It has also been a partial cause of dete- riorated 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. Requiring the PSC to take action is necessary to ameliorate these deficiencies.
Legislative history
S.6114/A.9529 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications/Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect the ninetieth day after it shall become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.