NY State Senate Bill 2017-S3274A

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance 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
May 16, 2018	reported and committed to finance
May 10, 2018	print number 3274a
May 10, 2018	amend and recommit to energy and telecommunications
Jan 03, 2018	referred to energy and telecommunications
Jan 20, 2017	referred to energy and telecommunications

Votes

- May 16, 2018 - Energy And Telecommunications Committee Vote
  S3274A
  
  10
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  1
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Energy And Telecommunications Committee Vote: May 16, 2018
      
      aye (10)
      
      Comrie
      
      Dilan
      
      Griffo
      
      Kennedy
      
      Little
      
      O'Mara
      
      Ortt
      
      Parker
      
      Peralta
      
      Ritchie
      
      excused (1)
      
      Croci

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2017-S3274 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A2125
Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §92-i, Pub Serv L; add §99-ee, St Fin L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S6392, A9233
2013-2014: S708, A2916
2015-2016: S1167, A369
2019-2020: S3599, A4590
2021-2022: S2924, A3144
2023-2024: S4932, A3734

2017-S3274 - Summary

Enacts the accessible electronic information act for blind and disabled persons; creates a new fund in the state finance law; authorizes a not-for-profit entity to administer the program.

2017-S3274 - Sponsor Memo

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S3274

 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-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 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-w 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
prepared 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 :

2015-2016: S.1167A/A.369A - Amend and Recommit to Energy & Telecom
2013-2014: S.708A/A.2916A - Died in Energy & Telecom/Died in
Corporations
2011-2012: S.6392/A.9233 - Died in Energy & Telecom
2010-2011: S.1053/A.4161 - Passed Both Houses. Veto Message No.58
2009-2010: S.2615A/A.2467- Finance/Rules
2008-2009: S.5960 Energy and Telecommunications; A.3108A Ways& Means
2006-2007: A.10172 Corporations, Authorities & Commissions
2005-2006: A.1757A Corporations, Authorities & Commissions
2004-2005: 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.

2017-S3274 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   3274
 
                        2017-2018 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 20, 2017
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sens.  PARKER, AVELLA, COMRIE, GOLDEN, GRIFFO, HAMILTON,
   KENNEDY, MONTGOMERY, PERKINS, SAVINO -- read twice and ordered  print-
   ed,  and  when  printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and
   Telecommunications
 
 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".
   §  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.
   § 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 92-h to
 read as follows:
   § 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.
                                                            LBD04231-01-7

 S. 3274                             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.
   § 4. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-aa to
 read as follows:
   § 99-AA. 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.
   § 5. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day  after  it  shall
 have  become  a  law.    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 to be made on or  before
 such effective date.

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2017-S3274A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A2125
Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §92-i, Pub Serv L; add §99-ee, St Fin L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S6392, A9233
2013-2014: S708, A2916
2015-2016: S1167, A369
2019-2020: S3599, A4590
2021-2022: S2924, A3144
2023-2024: S4932, A3734

2017-S3274A (ACTIVE) - Summary

Enacts the accessible electronic information act for blind and disabled persons; creates a new fund in the state finance law; authorizes a not-for-profit entity to administer the program.

2017-S3274A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S3274A

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
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-I
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-ee 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
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:

2015-2016: S.1167A/A.369A - Amend and Recommit to Energy & Telecom
2013-2014: S.708A/A.2916A - Died in Energy & Telecom/Died in Corpo-
rations
2011-2012: S.6392/A.9233 - Died in Energy & Telecom
2010-2011: S.1053/A.4161- Passed Both Houses. Veto Message No.58
2009-2010: S.2615A/A.2467- Finance/Rules
2008-2009: S.5960 Energy and Telecommunications; A.3108A Ways& Means
2006-2007: A.10172 Corporations, Authorities & Commissions
2005-2006: A.1757A Corporations, Authorities & Commissions
2004-2005: 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.

2017-S3274A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  3274--A
 
                        2017-2018 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 20, 2017
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sens. PARKER, ADDABBO, AVELLA, CARLUCCI, COMRIE, GOLDEN,
   GRIFFO, HAMILTON, KENNEDY, MONTGOMERY, PERALTA, RANZENHOFER, SAVINO --
   read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to  be  committed  to
   the  Committee  on Energy and Telecommunications -- recommitted to the
   Committee on Energy and Telecommunications 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".
   §  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.
   § 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 92-i to
 read as follows:
   § 92-I. 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.
                                                            LBD04231-02-8

 S. 3274--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.
   § 4. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-ee to
 read as follows:
   § 99-EE. 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-I 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.
   § 5. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day  after  it  shall
 have  become  a  law.    Effective  immediately, the addition, amendment
 and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
 of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before
 such effective date.

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Senate Bill S3274A

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

May 16, 2018 - Energy And Telecommunications Committee Vote

Energy And Telecommunications Committee Vote: May 16, 2018

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2017-S3274 - Details

2017-S3274 - Summary

2017-S3274 - Sponsor Memo

2017-S3274 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2017-S3274A (ACTIVE) - Details

2017-S3274A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2017-S3274A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2017-S3274A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Senate Bill S3274A

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Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

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2017-S3274 - Details

2017-S3274 - Summary

2017-S3274 - Sponsor Memo

2017-S3274 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2017-S3274A (ACTIVE) - Details

2017-S3274A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2017-S3274A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2017-S3274A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments