What's happening
This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation from requiring surveys for fiber optic utilities using existing infrastructure on state rights of way.
Why it matters
Could reduce costs and speed up broadband deployment. By removing the survey requirement for fiber optic utilities using existing infrastructure, the bill lowers logistical and financial barriers, potentially making it easier and faster to expand internet access across New York State.
Encourages more efficient use of existing public assets. The change incentivizes fiber optic companies to utilize already-installed poles and conduits, maximizing the value of state-owned infrastructure rather than digging new trenches or installing new supports.
May increase competition and connectivity in underserved areas. Lower regulatory hurdles can attract more providers to work in rural or less-served parts of the state, contributing to efforts to close the digital divide.
Minimizes disruption to communities and traffic. By using existing infrastructure and eliminating the need for new surveys, the bill could mean fewer construction projects that disrupt roads, traffic, and daily life for residents.
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Who cares
Fiber optic utilities
The bill would bar DOT from requiring a survey in right-of-way agreements under its consolidated application when fiber optic work uses existing infrastructure.
New York State Department of Transportation
The commissioner would have to apply the survey exemption to qualifying installation, modification, relocation, repair, operation and maintenance of fiber optic facilities.
Land surveyors
The bill would eliminate DOT-required surveys for covered fiber optic projects using existing infrastructure, including aerial pole attachments and underground conduits.
Headline styles
No Survey Needed for Fiber
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
480
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN, BURDICK, KELLES, LUPARDO, BUTTENSCHON, GLICK, JACOBSON, ANGELINO, GALLAHAN, TAGUE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the highway law, in relation to the department of transportation not requiring surveying in certain situations
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 10 of the highway law is amended by adding a new subdivision 24-e to read as follows:
24-e. The commissioner shall not require a survey as part of an agreement with any fiber optic utility for use and occupancy of a state right of way for the purposes of installing, modifying, relocating, repairing, operating, or maintaining fiber optic facilities as part of the department's consolidated application, when such use and occupancy of the state right of way is utilizing existing infrastructure, including but not limited to aerial pole attachments and underground conduits.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02380-01-5
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.