BILL NUMBER: S3343
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to broadband
service for low-income consumers
 
PURPOSE:
Requires broadband providers to offer high speed broadband service to
certain low-income consumers.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1.
- Defines "broadband service"
- Establishes eligible customers and upload and download speeds.
- Describes rate payment. Describes contract agreement. Establishes
the company to make all available services known to customers.
- Establishes compliance report submission.
- Establishes compliance with FCC minimum download speed.
- Provides the attorney general jurisdiction. Section 2 sets forth the
effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Broadband affordability is not only necessary to apply to jobs, but is
vital to appointment making for New York residents to receive the
COVID-19 vaccine, participate in telemedicine appointments, for students
to continue their education, and allow family members the ability to
continue to work remotely. This bill also makes necessary technical
changes to provisions relating to the COVID-19 state disaster emergency.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S7912-Energy and Telecommunications
2021.22: S5525A - Amend and Recommit to Energy and Telecommunications
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after is shall have
become a law.