What's happening
This bill requires the Public Service Commission to study and report on ways to increase broadband access in New York State.
Why it matters
Targets Key Obstacles. By requiring the Public Service Commission to analyze both regulatory and statutory barriers, the bill aims to identify specific laws or rules that may be slowing down broadband improvements, which could lead to future legislative or policy changes.
Looks for Proven Solutions. The study must review successful broadband policies in other states and national best practices, potentially accelerating New York’s adoption of effective strategies instead of reinventing the wheel.
Considers Public-Private Partnerships. By exploring the willingness of businesses to collaborate with the state, this bill could open doors for innovative funding models or partnerships that might bring faster or more affordable internet to underserved areas.
Time-Bound Accountability. The requirement for a public report within 180 days creates urgency and transparency, ensuring that recommendations for broadband expansion are delivered promptly and made available to both policymakers and the public.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Broadband Access Options
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-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
1214
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. BAILEY, MAY, MYRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
AN ACT to require the public service commission to undertake a study on various approaches to increasing broadband access within this state; 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. The public service commission shall, within thirty days of the effective date of this act, undertake a study on various approaches to increasing broadband access within this state. The public service commission shall study and make determinations on issues including but not limited to: (i) current broadband capacity within this state, including average internet access speeds statewide and in various regions of the state; (ii) regulatory and statutory barriers to improving broadband speeds; (iii) comparative state policies that have aided the increase in broadband speeds in other states, and whether such measures would be similarly effective in this state; (iv) whether the use of public-private partnerships would aid in the goal of increasing broadband speeds, and whether relevant businesses would be open to such partnerships; and (v) best practices recommended within the National Broadband Plan issued by the Federal Communications Commission and whether the public service commission can readily adopt and put into place any such recommendations.
§ 2. The public service commission may conduct any hearings or take any written testimony as it deems necessary in order to aid such study, and shall take all other steps necessary to provide a thorough analysis of all issues related to the provisions listed in section one of this act.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03214-01-5
§ 3. The public service commission shall issue its final report no later than one hundred eighty days after the effective date of this act. The commission shall issue its final report to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, the temporary president of the senate, and the chair of the assembly committee on energy and the senate committee on energy and telecommunications, and post a copy of such report on its website.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire one year after the day on which this act 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 require the public service commission to undertake a study on various approaches to increasing broadband access within this state; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
To have a study conducted on various approaches to increasing broadband access within our state.
Summary of provisions
The bill requires the public service commission, within 30 days of the effective date, to undertake a study on various ways New York can increase broadband access, including a study of current broadband capac- ity, policies adopted by other states to increase access, and the feasi- bility of such policies in New York. The commission may conduct hear- ings. The final report shall be issued no more than 180 days after the effective date and this act shall be deemed expired and repealed one year after the effective date.
Justification
Access to high-speed internet is a critical issue in the 21st century. Accessing high-speed internet gives individuals a leg up in educational and employment opportunities around the world. In general, the United States has lagged in comparison to other industrial nations in the development of higher broadband speed, yet New Yorkers pay an average of $55 per month for broadband, which is substantially lower than cities such as London and Seoul.
Other states, such as Connecticut and Massachusetts, have looked at ways in which the state can leverage its resources to expand broadband access and increase broadband speeds, including the use of public-private part- nerships in laying cable and reducing regulatory burdens. This legis- lation will require the Public Service Commission to issue a report on various state reforms across the country and shall lead to tangible recommendations for actions New York can take to increase access and general broadband speeds throughout the state.
Fiscal implications
Some minor administrative costs to the Public Service Commission.
Senate
2019-20: Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
2021-22: Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
2023-24: Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed expired one year after the effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.