BILL NUMBER: S1336
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the New York state urban development corporation act, in
relation to enacting the "N.Y. state digital equity plan act"
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Enacts the "N.Y. state digital equity plan act"
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 provides that the title of the act shall be known as the NY
State Digital Equity Plan
Section 2 amends subdivision 10 of section 16-gg of section 1 of chapter
174 of the laws of 1968 is amended as such:
Subsection 10 establishes the Connect All digital equity grant program
to support individuals to have the information technology capacity
necessary for participation in society and the economy. Provides that
grants issued shall be pursuant to and in manner determined by the
Federal Digital Equity Act.
Subsection 10a provides that by January 1, 2025. The division shall
develop a digital equity program.
Subsection 10b provides that the division shall establish a digital
equity fund to implement the plan using federal funding, including but
not limited to, as established in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act.
Section 3 amends Subdivision 2 of section 16-gg of section 1 of chapter
174 of the laws of 1968 by adding two new paragraphs (i) and (j) which
provides definition of terms.
Section 4 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The digital divide highlights the lack of access to reliable Internet
which significantly and specifically burdens disadvantaged communities.
Lack of access creates the Digital skills gap necessary to take part in
the economic part of the world. COVID-19 highlighted more than ever that
high speed reliable Internet is an ESSENTIAL and NECESSARY service for
ALL. The pandemic and resulting need for remote work, school, tele-
health, and even our court system, further highlighted the importance of
broadband access and affordability as well as the severe limitations of
those services in rural and urban portions of the state.
We saw the Federal Government lay out many initiatives to help bridge
the gap, specifically via the infrastructure Act ("IIJA"). Approximate-
ly $82 billion reserved for bolstering broadband connectivity across the
United States. In the $216B state budget, the initiatives laid out in
Part MMM are significant for future broadband developments in the state.
Total investment for broadband initiatives is $1.445 billion, including
$300 million for the ConnectALL grant program, and another $1.145
billion in federal funds. We need to lay out a proper plan to take
advantage of the unprecedented funding we have as a state and that is
what this legislation promotes.
 
HISTORY:
2024: 1693
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately