What's happening
This bill amends rules for approving cable franchise transfers, requiring stricter standards for transferees and applying changes to pending applications.
Why it matters
Raises the bar for approving cable franchise transfers. The bill requires that proposed transferees and their systems fully meet regulatory standards, rather than allowing more flexible approvals as in the past, making it harder for unqualified companies to take over cable systems.
Strengthens regulatory oversight and public interest protections. The Public Service Commission must now explicitly determine that transfers are not only legal and compliant with regulations but also affirmatively in the public interest, adding a layer of scrutiny to prevent harmful transfers.
Applies new rules retroactively to pending applications. Any transfer applications already under review when the law takes effect must comply with these stricter standards, which could impact deals already in progress and potentially delay or block some transfers.
Aims to ensure continuity and quality of cable service. By making it harder for poorly qualified or non-compliant entities to acquire franchises, the bill seeks to protect consumers from service disruptions, degraded service, or loss of local programming and customer support.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tighten Cable Franchise Transfers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Recommitted to rules
- Vote reconsidered - restored to third reading
- Substituted by A7372
- Ordered to third reading cal.1836
- Referred to rules
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.
Tighten Cable Franchise Transfers
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6466
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 12, 2019
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- (at request of the Department of Public Service) -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to transfers of cable systems
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 222 of the public service law, as added by chapter 83 of the laws of 1995, is amended to read as follows:
3. (a) The commission shall approve the application for renewal or amendment of a franchise unless it finds that the applicant[, the proposed transferee] or the cable television system does not conform to the standards established in the regulations promulgated by the commission pursuant to section two hundred fifteen of this article or that approval would be in violation of law, any regulation or standard promulgated by the commission or the public interest, provided however, that a failure to conform to the standards established in the regulations promulgated by the commission shall not preclude approval of any such application if the commission finds that such approval would serve the public interest.
(b) The commission shall not approve the application for a transfer of a franchise, any transfer of control of a franchise or certificate of confirmation, or of facilities constituting a significant part of any cable television system unless the applicant demonstrates that the proposed transferee and the cable television system conform to the standards established in the regulations promulgated by the commission pursuant to section two hundred fifteen of this article, that approval would not be in violation of law, or any regulation or standards promulgated by the commission, and that the transfer is otherwise in the public interest; provided, however, that a failure to conform to the standards established in the regulations promulgated by the commission
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09333-01-9
S. 6466 2
shall not preclude approval of any such application if the commission finds that such approval would serve the public interest.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to any application pending before the public service commission on such date.
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 transfers of cable systems
Summary of Provisions:
Section 1 of the bill would amend Chapter 57 of the Laws of 2014 (Part R) to make permanent provisions that prohibit the Public Service Commis- sion from approving a merger. or transfer of cable systems unless the applicant can affirmatively demonstrate that a transfer or merger of cable systems is in the public interest.
JUSTIFICATION::
Chapter 57 of the Laws of 2014 (Part R) provided that system transfers or mergers could not be approved unless the petitioner(s) demonstrated that such actions are in the public interest. Unfortunately, that law expired on April 1, 2017. Permanently reinstating statutory provisions requiring applicants seeking to transfer or merge cable systems to affirmatively demonstrate such actions will be in the public interest and allows the Commission to continue the improved oversight provided by the 2014 law. To date, the Commission has reviewed various proposed mergers under this law, and obtained substantial benefits for customers, notably in the Time Warner-Charter merger (Case 15-M-0388) and the Cablevision-Altice merger (Case 15-M-0647). Permanent application of this authority will allow the Commission to continue its work in protecting consumers while considering opportunities and efficiencies for both consumers and cable companies.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
This bill was introduced in 2018 (A.10356/S.8299) and reported to the Assembly Calendar and the Senate Rules Committee.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE::
The bill would take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.