NY State Senate Bill 2013-S708A

Senate Bill S708A

2013-2014 Legislative Session

Enacts the accessible electronic information act for blind and disabled persons; creates a new fund in the state finance law; authorizes a NFP to administer the program

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Energy And Telecommunications Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 31, 2014	print number 708a
Jan 31, 2014	amend and recommit to energy and telecommunications
Jan 08, 2014	referred to energy and telecommunications
Jan 09, 2013	referred to energy and telecommunications

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2013-S708 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A2916
Current Committee:: Senate Energy And Telecommunications
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §92-h, Pub Serv L; add §99-v, St Fin L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S6392, A9233
2015-2016: S1167, A369
2017-2018: S3274, A2125
2019-2020: S3599, A4590
2021-2022: S2924, A3144
2023-2024: S4932, A3734

2013-S708 - Summary

Enacts the accessible electronic information act for blind and disabled persons; creates a new fund in the state finance law.

2013-S708 - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S708

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the public service law and the state finance law, in relation
to enacting the accessible
electronic information act

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Thousands of New Yorkers have disabilities (including blindness or
visual impairment) that prevent them from using conventional print
material.

Low cost interstate telecommunication rates make distribution of
electronic text-based information to blind or visually impaired New
Yorkers both efficient and cost effective for the state. Use of this
accessible electronic information service will improve the state's
Current efforts to meet the needs of blind and disabled citizens for
access to information that is otherwise available in print, thereby
reducing isolation and supporting full integration and equal access
for such individuals.

The National Federation of the Blind established the NFB-NEWSLINE to
increase the ability of visually impaired individuals to receive
information provided by newspapers, magazines journals and other
print media which are traditionally unavailable in a limited

electronic broadcast. Since 2002, this vital service has provided
visually impaired New Yorkers with information on job listings,
self-help magazines, do-it-yourself guides, political magazines,
several newspapers, TV guide listings, and other literary necessities
that all sighted New Yorkers have enjoyed.

The intent of this legislation is provide a stable funding Source for
NEWSLINE New York.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Short title - The Accessible Electronic Information Act

Section 2: Sets for the legislative findings.

Section 3: Amends the public service law by adding a new section 92-g
states that the electronic information service, which is defined in
the legislation, shall be provided by a qualified and registered
not-for-profit organization. The service shall be intended for
continuation from year to year and make maximum use of federal,
state, private, and other funding available by obtaining grant or
in-kind support from appropriate programs, and by securing access to
low-cost interstate rates for telecommunications by reimbursement Or
otherwise.

This section also sets forth the definition of all major terms used in
this act.

Section 4: amends the state finance law by added a new section 99-u to
establish a special revenue fund to administer the Accessible
Electronic Information Act.


Section 5: This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it
shall become law; provided, however that effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule of regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date is
authorized and directed to made and completed on or before such
effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:
Thousands of, citizens in New York have disabilities (including
blindness or visual impairment) that prevent them from using
conventional print material.

The state fulfills an important duty by providing books and magazines
p:repared in Braille, audio, and large-type formats made available to
eligible blind and disabled persons. The technology, transcription
methods, and means of distribution used for these materials are labor
intensive and cannot support rapid dissemination to individuals in
rural and urban areas throughout the state.

Lack of direct and prompt access to information included in
newspapers, magazines, newsletters, schedules, announcements, and
other time-sensitive materials, limits educational opportunities, and
full participation in society by blind and disabled persons. This
constraint can best be overcome through use of high-speed computer
and telecommunication technology, combined with customized software,
providing a practical and cost-effective means to convert electronic
text-based information into synthetic speech suitable for statewide
distribution with modem telecommunication technology.

Use of this accessible electronic information service will improve the
state's current efforts to meet the needs of blind and disabled
citizens for access to information which is otherwise available in
print, thereby reducing isolation and supporting full integration and
equal access for such individuals.

Providing stabilized funding is absolutely imperative to ensuring that
this service can operate at maximum potential.

LEGISLATION IN OTHER STATES:

Several other states have introduced and/or enacted legislation
concerning accessibility to electronic information. The states
introducing and/or enacting such legislation include:

Texas, California, Alabama, New Mexico, Georgia, Hawaii, South
Carolina, Maryland, Kentucky, Oregon, Wisconsin, Vermont, Iowa, and
Michigan.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2011-12: S.6392/A.9233 - Died in Energy & Telecomm
2010-11: S.1053/A.4161 - Passed Both Houses. Veto Message No.58
2009-10: S.2615A/A.2467- Finance/Rules
2008-09: S.5960 Energy and Telecommunications; A.3108A Ways & Means
2006-07: A.10172 Corporations, Authorities & Commissions
2005-06: A.1757A Corporations, Authorities & Commissions
2004-05: A.6464  Corporations, Authorities & Commissions


FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law, with provisions.

2013-S708 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                   708

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 9, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen.  PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on  Energy  and  Telecommuni-
  cations

AN  ACT  to  amend  the public service law and the state finance law, in
  relation to enacting the accessible electronic information act

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Short title.  This act shall be known and may be cited as
the "accessible electronic information act".
  S 2. Legislative finding. The National Federation of the Blind  estab-
lished  the  NFB-NEWSLINE  to  increase the ability of visually impaired
individuals to receive information provided  by  newspapers,  magazines,
journals  and other print media which are traditionally unavailable in a
limited  electronic  broadcast.  Since  2002,  this  vital  service  has
provided visually impaired New Yorkers with information on job listings,
self-help magazines, do-it-yourself guides, political magazines, several
newspapers,  TV  guide listings, and other literary necessities that all
sighted New Yorkers have enjoyed. This  legislation  provides  a  stable
means to bring NEWSLINE to New York.
  S 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 92-g to
read as follows:
  S 92-G. ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION; BLIND AND DISABLED PERSONS.
1.  A  QUALIFIED NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITY CAPABLE OF PROVIDING SUCH SERVICE
SHALL PROVIDE AN ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICE FOR  ELIGIBLE
BLIND  AND DISABLED PERSONS. THIS SERVICE SHALL BE PLANNED FOR CONTINUA-
TION FROM YEAR TO YEAR AND MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF FEDERAL,  STATE,  PRIVATE
AND  OTHER FUNDS AVAILABLE, INCLUDING OBTAINING GRANT OR IN-KIND SUPPORT
FROM APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS AND SECURING  ACCESS  TO  LOW-COST  INTERSTATE
RATES FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS BY REIMBURSEMENT OR OTHERWISE.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD02775-01-3

S. 708                              2

  2. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOW-
ING MEANINGS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED:
  (A)  "ACCESSIBLE  ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICE" MEANS NEWS AND OTHER
TIMELY INFORMATION (INCLUDING NEWSPAPERS) PROVIDED TO ELIGIBLE  INDIVID-
UALS  FROM  A MULTI-STATE SERVICE CENTER, USING HIGH-SPEED COMPUTERS AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FOR INTERSTATE ACQUISITION OF CONTENT  AND
RAPID DISTRIBUTION IN A FORM APPROPRIATE FOR USE BY SUCH INDIVIDUALS;
  (B)  "BLIND  AND  DISABLED  PERSONS"  MEANS  THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
ELIGIBLE FOR LIBRARY LOAN SERVICES THROUGH THE LIBRARY OF  CONGRESS  AND
THE  STATE  LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PURSUANT TO
36 CFR 701.10(B);
  (C) "DIRECTOR" MEANS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SELECTED NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTI-
TY;
  (D) "QUALIFIED ENTITY" MEANS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITY WITHIN THIS STATE
CAPABLE OF PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICES WHICH:
  (I) PROVIDES INTERSTATE ACCESS FOR  ELIGIBLE  PERSONS  TO  READ  DAILY
NEWSPAPERS PRODUCING AUDIO EDITIONS BY COMPUTER, AND
  (II)  PROVIDES  A MEANS OF PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND READER REGISTRA-
TION ON THE INTERNET.
  S 4. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-u  to
read as follows:
  S  99-U.  ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICE FUND.  1. THERE IS
HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE CUSTODY OF THE  STATE  COMPTROLLER  A  SPECIAL
REVENUE  FUND  TO  BE  KNOWN  AS  THE "ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION
SERVICE FUND".
  2. FUNDING FOR THE  ACCESSIBLE  ELECTRONIC  INFORMATION  SERVICE  FUND
SHALL BE OBTAINED FROM:
  A.  THE  TARGETED  ACCESSIBILITY FUND, INC., ESTABLISHED BY THE PUBLIC
SERVICE COMMISSION IN ITS "ORDER AND OPINION 98-10" IN AN AMOUNT  DEEMED
APPROPRIATE  FOR  THE  PURPOSE  OF  PROVIDING ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION OF
NEWSPAPERS, PERIODICALS, TIME SENSITIVE MATERIALS, AND OTHER INFORMATION
WHICH MAY BE OF BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY; AND
  B. THE NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND  IN  AN  AMOUNT  DEEMED
APPROPRIATE BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR PROVIDING ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION OF
NEWSPAPERS, PERIODICALS, TIME SENSITIVE MATERIALS, AND OTHER INFORMATION
WHICH MAY BE OF BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY.
  3.  NOTHING  CONTAINED  IN  THIS  SECTION SHALL PREVENT THE STATE FROM
RECEIVING GRANTS, GIFTS OR BEQUESTS AND DEPOSITING THEM INTO THE  ACCES-
SIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICE FUND ACCORDING TO LAW.
  4.  THE ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICE FUND SHALL BE ADMIN-
ISTERED BY THE PUBLIC  SERVICE  COMMISSION,  IN  CONSULTATION  WITH  THE
DIRECTOR AND THE COMMISSIONER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION.
  5.  THE  PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE COMPANIES WHO PROVIDE
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES TO BLIND AND DISABLED PERSONS, AS DEFINED  IN
PARAGRAPH  (B)  OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION NINETY-TWO-G OF THE PUBLIC
SERVICE LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO,  CERTIFIED  TELECOMMUNICATION
CARRIERS,  CABLE  TELEVISION COMPANIES THAT OFFER TELEPHONE SERVICE, AND
OTHER COMPANIES THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION DEEMS TO BE A PROVIDER  OF
TELECOMMUNICATION  SERVICES, TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TARGETED ACCESSIBILITY
FUND, INC. FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING FUNDING TO  COMPLY  WITH  PARA-
GRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
  S  5.  This  act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law; provided, however, that  effective  immediately,  the
addition,  amendment  and/or  repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date  is  authorized
and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.

co-Sponsors

2013-S708A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A2916
Current Committee:: Senate Energy And Telecommunications
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §92-h, Pub Serv L; add §99-v, St Fin L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S6392, A9233
2015-2016: S1167, A369
2017-2018: S3274, A2125
2019-2020: S3599, A4590
2021-2022: S2924, A3144
2023-2024: S4932, A3734

2013-S708A (ACTIVE) - Summary

Enacts the accessible electronic information act for blind and disabled persons; creates a new fund in the state finance law.

2013-S708A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S708A

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public service law and the state
finance law, in relation to enacting the accessible electronic informa-
tion act

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Thousands of New Yorkers have disabilities (including blindness or visu-
al impairment) that prevent them from using conventional print material.

Low cost interstate telecommunication rates make distribution of elec-
tronic text-based information to blind or visually impaired New Yorkers
both efficient and cost effective for the state. Use of this accessible
electronic information service will improve the state's Current efforts
to meet the needs of blind and disabled citizens for access to informa-
tion that is otherwise available in print, thereby reducing isolation
and supporting full integration and equal access for such individuals.

The National Federation of the Blind established the NFB-NEWSLINE to
increase the ability of visually impaired individuals to receive infor-
mation provided by newspapers, magazines journals and other print media
which are traditionally unavailable in a limited electronic broadcast.
Since 2002, this vital service has provided visually impaired New York-
ers with information on job listings, self-help magazines, do-it-your-
self guides, political magazines, several newspapers, TV guide listings,

and other literary necessities that all sighted New Yorkers have
enjoyed.

The intent of this legislation is provide a stable funding Source for
NEWSLINE New York.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Short title - The Accessible Electronic Information Act

Section 2: Sets for the legislative findings.

Section 3: Amends the public service law by adding a new section 92-h
states that the electronic information service, which is defined in the
legislation, shall be provided by a qualified and registered not-for-
profit organization. The service shall be intended for continuation from
year to year and make maximum use of federal, state, private, and other
funding available by obtaining grant or in-kind support from appropriate
programs, and by securing access to low-cost interstate rates for tele-
communications by reimbursement or otherwise.

This section also sets forth the definition of all major terms used in
this act.

Section 4: amends the state finance law by added a new section 99-v to
establish a special revenue fund to administer the Accessible Electronic
Information Act.

Section 5: This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it
shall become law; provided, however that effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule of regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized
and directed to made and completed on or before such effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:

Thousands of, citizens in New York have disabilities (including blind-
ness or visual impairment) that prevent them from using conventional
print material.

The state fulfills an important duty by providing books and magazines
prepared in Braille, audio, and large-type formats made available to
eligible blind and disabled persons. The technology, transcription meth-
ods, and means of distribution used for these materials are labor inten-
sive and cannot support rapid dissemination to individuals in rural and
urban areas throughout the state.

Lack of direct and prompt access to information included in newspapers,
magazines, newsletters, schedules, announcements, and other time-sensi-
tive materials, limits educational opportunities, and full participation
in society by blind and disabled persons. This constraint can best be
overcome through use of high-speed computer and telecommunication tech-
nology, combined with customized software, providing a practical and
cost-effective means to convert electronic text-based information into
synthetic speech suitable for statewide distribution with modem telecom-
munication technology.

Use of this accessible electronic information service will improve the
state's current efforts to meet the needs of blind and disabled citizens
for access to information which is otherwise available in print, thereby
reducing isolation and supporting full integration and equal access for
such individuals.

Providing stabilized funding is absolutely imperative to ensuring that
this service can operate at maximum potential.

LEGISLATION IN OTHER STATES:

Several other states have introduced and/or enacted legislation concern-
ing accessibility to electronic information. The states introducing
and/or enacting such legislation include:

Texas, California, Alabama, New Mexico, Georgia, Hawaii, South Carolina,
Maryland, Kentucky, Oregon, Wisconsin, Vermont, Iowa, and Michigan.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2011-12: S.6392/A.9233 - Died in Energy & Telecomm
2010-11: S.1053/A.4161 - Passed Both Houses. Veto Message No.58
2009-10: S.2615A/A.2467- Finance/Rules
2008-09: S.5960 Energy and Telecommunications; A.3108A Ways & Means
2006-07: A.10172 Corporations, Authorities & Commissions
2005-06: A.1757A Corporations, Authorities & Commissions
2004-05: A.6464 Corporations, Authorities & Commissions

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
became a law, with provisions.

2013-S708A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 708--A

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 9, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen.  PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on  Energy  and  Telecommuni-
  cations  --  recommitted  to  the Committee on Energy and Telecommuni-
  cations in  accordance  with  Senate  Rule  6,  sec.  8  --  committee
  discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
  to said committee

AN  ACT  to  amend  the public service law and the state finance law, in
  relation to enacting the accessible electronic information act

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Short title.  This act shall be known and may be cited as
the "accessible electronic information act".
  S 2. Legislative finding. The National Federation of the Blind  estab-
lished  the  NFB-NEWSLINE  to  increase the ability of visually impaired
individuals to receive information provided  by  newspapers,  magazines,
journals  and other print media which are traditionally unavailable in a
limited  electronic  broadcast.  Since  2002,  this  vital  service  has
provided visually impaired New Yorkers with information on job listings,
self-help magazines, do-it-yourself guides, political magazines, several
newspapers,  TV  guide listings, and other literary necessities that all
sighted New Yorkers have enjoyed. This  legislation  provides  a  stable
means to bring NEWSLINE to New York.
  S 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 92-h to
read as follows:
  S 92-H. ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION; BLIND AND DISABLED PERSONS.
1.  A  QUALIFIED NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITY CAPABLE OF PROVIDING SUCH SERVICE
SHALL PROVIDE AN ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICE FOR  ELIGIBLE
BLIND  AND DISABLED PERSONS. THIS SERVICE SHALL BE PLANNED FOR CONTINUA-
TION FROM YEAR TO YEAR AND MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF FEDERAL,  STATE,  PRIVATE
AND  OTHER FUNDS AVAILABLE, INCLUDING OBTAINING GRANT OR IN-KIND SUPPORT
FROM APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS AND SECURING  ACCESS  TO  LOW-COST  INTERSTATE
RATES FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS BY REIMBURSEMENT OR OTHERWISE.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD02775-02-4

S. 708--A                           2

  2. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOW-
ING MEANINGS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED:
  (A)  "ACCESSIBLE  ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICE" MEANS NEWS AND OTHER
TIMELY INFORMATION (INCLUDING NEWSPAPERS) PROVIDED TO ELIGIBLE  INDIVID-
UALS  FROM  A MULTI-STATE SERVICE CENTER, USING HIGH-SPEED COMPUTERS AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FOR INTERSTATE ACQUISITION OF CONTENT  AND
RAPID DISTRIBUTION IN A FORM APPROPRIATE FOR USE BY SUCH INDIVIDUALS;
  (B)  "BLIND  AND  DISABLED  PERSONS"  MEANS  THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
ELIGIBLE FOR LIBRARY LOAN SERVICES THROUGH THE LIBRARY OF  CONGRESS  AND
THE  STATE  LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PURSUANT TO
36 CFR 701.10(B);
  (C) "DIRECTOR" MEANS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SELECTED NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTI-
TY;
  (D) "QUALIFIED ENTITY" MEANS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITY WITHIN THIS STATE
CAPABLE OF PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICES WHICH:
  (I) PROVIDES INTERSTATE ACCESS FOR  ELIGIBLE  PERSONS  TO  READ  DAILY
NEWSPAPERS PRODUCING AUDIO EDITIONS BY COMPUTER, AND
  (II)  PROVIDES  A MEANS OF PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND READER REGISTRA-
TION ON THE INTERNET.
  S 4. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-v  to
read as follows:
  S  99-V.  ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICE FUND.  1. THERE IS
HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE CUSTODY OF THE  STATE  COMPTROLLER  A  SPECIAL
REVENUE  FUND  TO  BE  KNOWN  AS  THE "ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION
SERVICE FUND".
  2. FUNDING FOR THE  ACCESSIBLE  ELECTRONIC  INFORMATION  SERVICE  FUND
SHALL BE OBTAINED FROM:
  A.  THE  TARGETED  ACCESSIBILITY FUND, INC., ESTABLISHED BY THE PUBLIC
SERVICE COMMISSION IN ITS "ORDER AND OPINION 98-10" IN AN AMOUNT  DEEMED
APPROPRIATE  FOR  THE  PURPOSE  OF  PROVIDING ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION OF
NEWSPAPERS, PERIODICALS, TIME SENSITIVE MATERIALS, AND OTHER INFORMATION
WHICH MAY BE OF BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY; AND
  B. THE NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND  IN  AN  AMOUNT  DEEMED
APPROPRIATE BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR PROVIDING ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION OF
NEWSPAPERS, PERIODICALS, TIME SENSITIVE MATERIALS, AND OTHER INFORMATION
WHICH MAY BE OF BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY.
  3.  NOTHING  CONTAINED  IN  THIS  SECTION SHALL PREVENT THE STATE FROM
RECEIVING GRANTS, GIFTS OR BEQUESTS AND DEPOSITING THEM INTO THE  ACCES-
SIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICE FUND ACCORDING TO LAW.
  4.  THE ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICE FUND SHALL BE ADMIN-
ISTERED BY THE PUBLIC  SERVICE  COMMISSION,  IN  CONSULTATION  WITH  THE
DIRECTOR AND THE COMMISSIONER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION.
  5.  THE  PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE COMPANIES WHO PROVIDE
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES TO BLIND AND DISABLED PERSONS, AS DEFINED  IN
PARAGRAPH  (B)  OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION NINETY-TWO-H OF THE PUBLIC
SERVICE LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO,  CERTIFIED  TELECOMMUNICATION
CARRIERS,  CABLE  TELEVISION COMPANIES THAT OFFER TELEPHONE SERVICE, AND
OTHER COMPANIES THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION DEEMS TO BE A PROVIDER  OF
TELECOMMUNICATION  SERVICES, TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TARGETED ACCESSIBILITY
FUND, INC. FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING FUNDING TO  COMPLY  WITH  PARA-
GRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
  S  5.  This  act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law; provided, however, that  effective  immediately,  the
addition,  amendment  and/or  repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date  is  authorized
and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.

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