New York Senate Bill S01545

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/25
• Refer: 1/10/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Relates to instituting internet service neutrality; provides the public service commission with jurisdiction over monitoring broadband internet service providers; requires a certification for internet service neutrality in certain state contracts.

Summary

S01545 would establish statewide internet service neutrality rules for broadband internet access providers in New York. It defines broadband internet access service and broadband internet service provider, then directs the Public Service Commission to certify annually that providers doing business in the state do not block lawful content, impair or degrade lawful traffic, or engage in paid prioritization, except for reasonable network management and limited public-interest exceptions. The bill also requires the commission to maintain a statewide monitoring plan and publish an annual report listing each provider’s certification status. The bill further ties neutrality compliance to state procurement. When state agencies, public authorities, municipalities, libraries, the Legislature, the Judiciary, SUNY, or CUNY procure broadband internet access services through competitive bidding or requests for proposals, the resulting contracts would have to require compliance with the neutrality standards. A non-certified provider could still be awarded a contract only if the contracting entity shows there are no certified alternatives or that using a certified provider would create significant financial hardship.

Impact

This bill would amend the Public Service Law and the State Finance Law to create a new regulatory framework for broadband internet service providers in New York. It would expand the Public Service Commission’s oversight role to include annual certification and reporting on neutrality compliance, and it would impose procurement conditions on a broad range of state and local public entities that buy broadband services. Providers that fail certification could face reduced access to public contracts, while municipal broadband providers are expressly included within the definition of covered providers.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so the bill’s sentiment must be inferred from its text and sponsorship. The measure appears to reflect a pro-net-neutrality policy position, emphasizing open internet access, consumer protections, and public transparency. Its structure suggests support for stronger state oversight of broadband providers and for limiting discriminatory traffic management practices.

Contention

The main points of contention are likely to be the scope of state regulation over broadband providers, the PSC’s annual certification authority, and the procurement restrictions tied to neutrality compliance. Opponents may argue that the bill could impose compliance burdens, limit network management flexibility, or complicate contracting for public entities, especially where certified providers are unavailable or more expensive. Supporters are likely to focus on preventing blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization, and on ensuring that public contracts do not subsidize non-neutral internet practices.