New York Assembly Bill A07253

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/21/25
• Refer: 3/21/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Enacts the accessible electronic information act for blind and disabled persons; creates a new fund in the state finance law; authorizes a not-for-profit entity to administer the program.

Summary

This bill enacts the “accessible electronic information act” to support access to news and other timely information for blind and disabled persons in New York. It directs a qualified not-for-profit entity to provide an accessible electronic information service that can deliver newspapers and similar content in audio or other usable formats through high-speed computer and telecommunications technology. The bill’s findings emphasize the long-running role of NFB-NEWSLINE and describe the service as a way to ensure visually impaired New Yorkers can access information that is otherwise difficult to obtain in print-only form. The bill also creates a new special revenue fund in the state finance law, the accessible electronic information service fund, to pay for the program. Funding would come from an annual assessment levied by the Public Service Commission on telecommunications providers serving blind and disabled persons, including certified carriers, cable television companies offering telephone service, and other providers the commission identifies. The annual assessment is capped at $75,000, and the fund could also receive grants, gifts, or bequests. Administration of the fund would be handled by the Department of Public Service in consultation with the New York State Commission for the Blind.

Impact

The bill would amend the Public Service Law and State Finance Law by adding a new statutory program for accessible electronic information services and establishing a dedicated funding mechanism. It would require a qualified not-for-profit entity to provide the service, define eligible users and service characteristics, and authorize the Public Service Commission to levy assessments on certain telecommunications companies to cover program costs, subject to a $75,000 annual cap. It also assigns administrative oversight to the Department of Public Service, working with the Commission for the Blind, and allows implementation rules to be prepared before the effective date.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be generally supportive and service-oriented, with a clear focus on improving access for blind and disabled New Yorkers. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, so there is no documented opposition or debate to indicate broader legislative sentiment. The bill’s framing suggests a positive reception around accessibility, information access, and continuity of an established service.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided context. Potential areas for debate, based on the bill’s structure, could include the use of assessments on telecommunications providers to finance the program, the scope of entities subject to the assessment, and the role of a not-for-profit administrator versus direct state operation. However, no member comments, amendments, or votes are available here to show that any of these issues were actually disputed.