Relates to providing residents of municipal public housing in the state with free basic cable and high-speed internet service, and reimbursing internet service providers and cable television companies for providing such service.
Summary
This bill would create a new section of the Public Service Law, titled “Empire Connect,” requiring internet service providers and cable television companies operating within a municipality to provide free basic high-speed internet service and cable service to each residential unit in multiple dwellings owned or managed by a municipal public housing authority. The bill defines “high-speed internet service” as at least 100 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload. It also directs the Public Service Commission to adopt rules to allocate responsibility among providers, ensure compliance, and prevent providers from shifting these obligations to others without commission approval.
To support implementation, the bill establishes a cable and high-speed internet service abatement fund administered by the commission. That fund would reimburse providers for the cost of supplying the required service, using state appropriations and any available federal funds. The bill specifies that the fiscal impact is not to be borne by other customers through added charges on their bills. It also expands the Public Service Law’s article heading to include internet service providers and adds a statutory definition of “internet service provider.”
Impact
The bill would amend the Public Service Law by adding a new mandate for cable and internet providers to furnish free basic service to residents of municipal public housing, while creating a reimbursement mechanism through a state-managed abatement fund. It would also broaden the law’s coverage to expressly include internet service providers, not just cable television companies, and would require the Public Service Commission to regulate compliance and apportion obligations among multiple providers operating in the same municipality. The measure would affect public housing residents, providers of broadband and cable services, and the commission responsible for oversight and reimbursement.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a consumer-access and affordability initiative aimed at public housing residents, with no recorded committee debate or votes provided. The overall tone of the proposal is supportive of expanding access to essential communications services, particularly for low-income residents in municipal housing. Because there is no transcript or voting history, there is no documented opposition or formal sentiment from legislators in the available materials.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are fiscal and administrative. The bill requires providers to deliver free service but also says the cost should not be passed on to other customers, which raises questions about how fully the abatement fund would cover provider expenses and whether state or federal appropriations would be sufficient. Another likely issue is regulatory complexity, including how the Public Service Commission would allocate obligations among multiple providers and enforce compliance. Providers may also object to mandatory service obligations, while supporters would likely emphasize affordability and digital access for public housing residents.
Requires cable television companies to provide cable television service and broadband Internet speed to all committed service areas before cable television companies allow paid prioritization of Internet network traffic.
Relating to sales and use tax exemptions and refunds for certain tangible personal property used to provide cable television services, Internet access services, or telecommunications services.
Requires cable television, direct broadcast satellite, and television streaming service companies to include certain fees and charges for service in advertised price to consumers.
Relating to sales and use tax rates and refunds for certain tangible personal property used to provide cable television services, Internet access services, or telecommunications services; reducing the rate of the state sales and use tax applicable to certain taxable items.
Requires cable television companies to offer cable television channels on an individual basis; provides that the public service commission be responsible for approving rates.
Requires certain telecommunications, cable television, and public utility service providers to notify BPU of service discontinuance to public entities 14 business days prior to shutoff.
Requires CATV companies to provide free broadband Internet service and associated equipment to public libraries and, under certain circumstances, other municipal buildings.