What's happening
This bill creates a commission to study and report on potential open internet legislation and regulations for New York State.
Why it matters
The commission will specifically examine the effects of the FCC's rollback of net neutrality rules on New York residents and internet markets. , providing localized insight into how federal policy changes may have impacted consumers and businesses in the state.
By investigating real-world occurrences of internet throttling, blocking, or paid prioritization by ISPs in New York, the commission aims to gather evidence-based data. which could inform future state actions to protect consumers and maintain open access to online resources.
The commission’s recommendations could shape the future of state-level net neutrality, potentially influencing internet regulation and legislation in New York. with impacts on digital access, competition, and the rights of both consumers and small businesses.
This process provides an official forum for stakeholders, including policymakers, technologists, and advocates, to formally consider and propose solutions for open internet protections in New York. , setting a precedent for state engagement in internet governance if federal regulations remain limited.
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Headline styles
Study Open Internet Rules
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to internet and technology
- Referred to internet and technology
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.
Study Open Internet Rules
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Clyde Vanel
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4746
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 22, 2019
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Internet and Technology
AN ACT in relation to establishing a commission to study and report on the potential implementation of legislation, rules and regulations for an open internet for New Yorkers; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. A ten-member commission is hereby established to assess the potential implementation of legislation, rules and regulations for an open internet for New Yorkers.
§ 2. The commission shall be comprised of:
(a) two members appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
(b) two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
(c) two members appointed by the governor;
(d) two members appointed by the chief information officer of the office of information technology services;
(e) one member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and
(f) one member appointed by the minority leader of the assembly.
§ 3. The commission shall provide a report to the governor, the speaker of the assembly and the temporary president of the senate on or before January 1, 2021. Such report shall include:
(a) any impacts in the New York state internet market of the Federal Communications Commission's repeal of open internet regulations;
(b) an analysis of potential legislation, rules and regulations to advance an open internet in New York state;
(c) any incidences of throttling, blocking, or paid prioritization that have occurred by the internet service providers serving New York state; and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01282-01-9
S. 4746 2
(d) recommendations regarding the advancement of an open internet, along with legislative and regulatory proposals as the commission deems necessary to implement such recommendations.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed January 1, 2021.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act in relation to establishing a commission to study and report on the potential implementation of legislation, rules and regulations for an open internet for New Yorkers; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose or general idea of bill
Relates to establishing a commission to study and report on the poten- tial implementation of legislation, rules and regulations for an open internet for New Yorkers
Summary of provisions
Section 1 addresses the establishing of a 10 member commission to assess and review the potential regulations of open internet for New Yorkers
Section 2 lists who the commission shall be made up of
Section 3 explains that the commission shall provide a report on their research and findings to the Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, and Temporary President of the Senate, along with what the report shall include and when.
Section 4 states that the act shall take effect immediately and shall expire on January 1, 2019.
Justification
In 2015, under the Obama administration, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) advanced rules that treated telecom companies and Internet service providers (ISP) like utilities, aiming to stop them from meddling with the Internet. The rules also prohibited ISPs from charging tech companies or consumers for faster delivery of their music, movies or other content - "fast lanes". In other words, content and data were to be treated equally with respect to transferability, delivery times, access and cost.
On Thursday, December 14, 2017, the FCC rolled back the rules. Current- ly, broadband companies are free to pursue so-called paid prioritization arrangements, if they choose to do so. In place of the previous net neutrality protections, the FCC, under President Trump, is going to only require the Internet service providers to be transparent about their network practices.
The United States Congress should promulgate legislation protecting content on the Internet and ensuring full access and open Internet to all in America. New York State, however, has a duty to protect New York- ers and New York consumers online.
This bill would set up a commission to study how New York State can advance legislation, rules and regulations for an open Internet for New Yorkers.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: S7759 - REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined.
Effective date
Effective Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.