Technology (Broadband Access)

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 8026: Provides internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing

Provides WiFi service and internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; relates to funding for internet service under the ConnectAll digital equity grant program.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly expands internet access through ConnectAll grant program, directly promoting digital equity as a core technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1873: Requires the New York city housing authority to provide adequate and reliable internet service for all housing authority residents

This bill requires the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to provide all residents in public housing with reliable, 24/7 internet service at no additional cost. It directly affects approximately 400,000 NYCHA residents across over 170,000 housing units. The law mandates NYCHA to publish online reports detailing service disruptions (including internet outages), their duration, and repair steps starting May 1, 2025. The bill also updates existing housing law to include internet service under the same reporting standards as heat, water, and electricity. It takes effect immediately for the service requirement, with the reporting provisions aligning with prior 2024 law changes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates free, reliable internet for NYCHA residents, enhancing tenant living conditions and aligning with tenant protection standards in public housing.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates free, reliable internet access for 400k public housing residents, directly expanding internet access and promoting digital equity per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights Broadband Access

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3343: Requires broadband providers to offer high speed broadband service to certain low-income consumers

This bill requires New York broadband providers to offer high-speed internet service at $5 per month to eligible low-income households. Eligibility includes households receiving free/reduced school meals, meeting income thresholds (185% of federal poverty level), or enrolled in SNAP, Medicaid, or certain rent assistance programs. The service must provide minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload, with providers required to advertise the program and submit annual compliance reports to the state. Violations could result in $1,000 fines per incident.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides affordable broadband to households with school meal eligibility, enhancing student access to educational resources and closing digital equity gaps in education.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires affordable high-speed broadband for low-income households, expanding internet access and promoting digital equity as a core policy goal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Broadband Access Telecommunications

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2355: Relates to attachments to utility poles for broadband service

Relates to attachments to utility poles for broadband service; provides that for a broadband internet provider that does not provide regulated telephone service, a pole owner shall not require such broadband internet provider to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity as a condition to making attachments to utility poles solely owned or jointly-owned by the pole owner.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRemoves certificate requirement for broadband pole attachments, facilitating faster deployment of internet infrastructure and expanding access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1214: Relates to conducting a study on various approaches to increasing broadband access within this state

This bill (S 1214) requires the Public Service Commission to conduct a study on improving broadband access across the state. The study must examine current internet speeds, regulatory barriers, successful policies from other states, potential public-private partnerships, and federal recommendations. The Commission must complete the study within 180 days of the bill's effective date and submit a final report to state leaders and post it online. The bill directly affects the Public Service Commission's responsibilities and will inform future decisions about broadband infrastructure. It does not create new regulations or funding but sets a process for evaluating solutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStudy on broadband access directly supports educational access, a core aspect of the topic, by addressing infrastructure barriers to digital learning resources.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates study to improve broadband access, directly expanding internet access as a key support indicator for technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7110: Authorizes broadband franchises in N.Y. city

This bill requires broadband providers operating in cities with populations of one million or more (like New York City) to pay cities for using public streets and sidewalks to install their networks. The payment amount is calculated per foot of line using a formula based on historical cable franchise fees from 2012. It also allows these cities to set additional rules to ensure universal internet access, public safety, and service quality. The bill establishes the financial terms for broadband operations in large cities without creating new franchises.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires broadband providers to pay cities for infrastructure use, enabling cities to enforce universal internet access rules - directly expands digital access85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6548: Establishes broadband opportunity areas

Provides for real property tax exemptions for last mile broadband infrastructure constructed, altered, installed or improved in an area designated a broadband opportunity area.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides real property tax exemptions for broadband infrastructure, reducing tax burden to promote deployment, aligning with fiscal support for essential services.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides tax exemptions to incentivize broadband infrastructure deployment in underserved areas, directly expanding internet access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6066: Relates to state contracts being only with internet service providers compliant with net neutrality

Enacts the "NYS net neutrality protection act"; relates to state contracts being only with internet service providers compliant with net neutrality; prohibits the purchase of internet services from a non-net neutral source of internet services; requires certain disclosures by internet providers.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnacts net neutrality protections for state contracts, requiring ISPs to comply with open internet standards, advancing consumer protection and digital equity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8576: Provides public assistance for home internet service

This bill amends New York's social services law to include home internet service payments as a covered expense in public assistance programs. It directly affects low-income individuals and families receiving state aid by allowing them to use their monthly benefits to cover home internet costs, alongside existing items like shelter and heating. The key mechanism adds "home internet service" to the list of allowable expenses in the standard of need, ensuring these costs are factored into assistance calculations without requiring additional income. This change expands existing public assistance to address digital access needs for eligible households.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly adds home internet to public assistance expenses, expanding access for low-income households and advancing digital equity goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1545: Relates to instituting internet service neutrality

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates net neutrality regulations for ISPs, requiring public oversight and certification to protect open internet access and consumer rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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