What's happening
This bill allows the state to designate mobile or cellular providers as eligible for lifeline service without extra certification.
Why it matters
Expands access to Lifeline service. by allowing the state to designate mobile and cellular providers as eligible carriers, which could increase options for low-income residents who rely on discounted phone services.
Removes bureaucratic barriers. for mobile providers by eliminating the requirement to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity, potentially speeding up the process for new providers to offer Lifeline service.
Gives the state more flexibility. to respond to changes in telecommunications technology and market dynamics, allowing quicker adaptation to consumer needs and possibly encouraging more providers to participate in Lifeline.
Empowers state regulators. to create and enforce rules for implementing this change, which could shape how broadly and effectively the expanded eligibility is used to benefit underserved populations.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Commercial mobile radio and cellular providers
The bill would let them seek designation as eligible telecommunications carriers for Lifeline service without obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity.
New York State Public Service Commission
The bill would authorize the commission to designate these providers for Lifeline service and authorize implementing rules and regulations.
Lifeline service customers
The bill could expand their choice of providers by allowing the commission to designate additional wireless carriers.
Headline styles
Expand Cell Service Lifeline Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Signed chap.606
- Approval memo.31
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.517
- Substituted for A7811A
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 58–4
- Amended on third reading (t) 5782a
- Advanced to third reading
Show 3 earlier actions
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.888
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
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 Phone Lifeline Access
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5782--A Cal. No. 888
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 14, 2019
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, BENJAMIN, CARLUCCI, METZGER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
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.
LBD11763-03-9
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 commercial mobile radio and cellular telephone service providers
Purpose
This legislation would give the New York State Public Service Commission authority to grant eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) desig- nations to wireless telecommunications providers - an authority the Commission had previously.
Summary of provisions
Subdivision 6 of section 5 of the public service law is amended to allow for the designation of wireless telecommunications providers as eligible telecommunications carriers for the purpose of providing wireless life- line services.
Justification
The Lifeline program provides subsidized telecommunications services to low-income individuals. The purpose of the program is to give these people the ability to connect with jobs, emergency services, coordinate childcare, and other critical daily functions. Providers of telecommuni- cations services that opt-into this program are paid a set rate per customer for these services. In order to participate in the Lifeline program, a telecommunications company must be designated as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC).
In 1997, the New York State Legislature enacted legislation that would hand over regulatory oversight for the wireless telecommunications and broadband industries to the Federal Communications Commission
- while maintaining their jurisdiction over wireline telecommunications. States were encouraged to do this after the passage of the federal Tele- communications Act of 1996 to better centralize wireless regulation nationwide. As a result of this abdication of authority, providers wish- ing to be designated as an ETC in New York for wireless service must apply directly to the Federal Communications Commission.
Recently, the Federal Communications Commission has changed their policy on awarding ETC designations, for reasons many believe to be on ideolog- ical grounds. Because of this, they have effectively stopped any new ETCs from entering the market, leaving low-income residents in states like New York at risk. This legislation would give back the authority to designated ETCs for wireless telecommunications services to the New York State Public Service Commission in order to ensure low-income New York- ers have access to the all essentials services available under the Life- line program.
Legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.