S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   10642
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                               July 6, 2022
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Cahill) --
   read once and referred to the Committee on  Corporations,  Authorities
   and Commissions
 
 AN  ACT  to amend the public service law and the public authorities law,
   in relation to establishing arrears resolution programs
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  The public service law is amended by adding a new section
 28 to read as follows:
   § 28. ARREARS RESOLUTION FUNDING PROGRAM. 1. THE COMMISSION IS  HEREBY
 AUTHORIZED  AND DIRECTED TO IMPLEMENT, AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE, A PROGRAM
 TO FUND ARREARS RESOLUTION PROGRAMS  ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT  TO  SECTIONS
 THIRTY-SEVEN-A, EIGHTY-NINE-BB, NINETY-ONE-B, TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR-D,
 AND TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR-E OF THIS CHAPTER.
   2.  SUCH PROGRAM SHALL BE FUNDED WITH: (A) FUNDS RECEIVED BY THE STATE
 FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021, PUB. L. 117-2, AND ANY  OTHER
 FEDERAL FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE FOR SUCH PURPOSE; AND
   (B) ANY STATE FUNDS APPROPRIATED FOR SUCH PROGRAM.
   3.  THE  COMMISSION  MAY  ADOPT  ANY RULES OR REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO
 CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
   § 2. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 37-a to
 read as follows:
   § 37-A. ARREARS RESOLUTION  PROGRAM.  1.  FOR  THE  PURPOSES  OF  THIS
 SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   (A)  "COVERED  PERIOD"  MEANS THE PERIOD BEGINNING FEBRUARY FIRST, TWO
 THOUSAND TWENTY UNTIL NINETY DAYS AFTER DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOU-
 SAND TWENTY-ONE;
   (B) "COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY" MEANS THE STATE  DISASTER  EMERGENCY
 DECLARED PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER TWO HUNDRED TWO OF TWO THOU-
 SAND TWENTY;
   (C)  "SMALL  BUSINESS  CUSTOMER"  MEANS A BUSINESS WITH TWENTY-FIVE OR
 FEWER EMPLOYEES THAT IS NOT A (I) PUBLICLY HELD COMPANY, OR A SUBSIDIARY
 THEREOF, (II) SEASONAL, SHORT-TERM, OR TEMPORARY  CUSTOMER,  (III)  HIGH
 ENERGY  CUSTOMER AS DEFINED BY THE COMMISSION, OR (IV) CUSTOMER THAT THE
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD10807-06-2
 A. 10642                            2
 
 UTILITY CORPORATION  CAN  DEMONSTRATE  HAS  THE  RESOURCES  TO  PAY  ITS
 ARREARS; AND
   (D)  "UTILITY  ARREARS" MEANS UNPAID UTILITY PAYMENTS BY A RESIDENTIAL
 CUSTOMER, SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMER AND/OR RATEPAYER TO A  UTILITY  CORPO-
 RATION ACCRUED DURING THE COVERED PERIOD.
   2.  THE  COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE UTILITY CORPORATIONS TO ESTABLISH AN
 ARREARS RESOLUTION PROGRAM NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE
 DATE OF THIS  SECTION  FOR  RESIDENTIAL  CUSTOMERS  AND  SMALL  BUSINESS
 CUSTOMERS  TO  PAY  ANY UTILITY ARREARS OWED TO SUCH UTILITY CORPORATION
 DURING THE COVERED PERIOD WHEN SUCH A CUSTOMER HAS EXPERIENCED A  CHANGE
 IN  FINANCIAL  CIRCUMSTANCES  DUE TO THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY, AS
 DEFINED BY THE DEPARTMENT. THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM  SHALL  NOT
 BE  BORNE  BY  CUSTOMERS AND SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY THE
 UTILITY CORPORATION TO CUSTOMERS.
   3. A CUSTOMER'S UTILITY ARREARS SHALL BE PAID FROM FUNDS  RECEIVED  BY
 THE  UTILITY  CORPORATION  FROM  THE  ARREARS RESOLUTION FUNDING PROGRAM
 ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER.
   4. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE UTILITY CORPORATIONS TO PROVIDE INFOR-
 MATION AND APPLICATION FORMS FOR SUCH PROGRAMS TO ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS  ON
 THEIR  WEBSITES,  AT  THEIR  OFFICES, AND BY OTHER MEANS, AND TO PROVIDE
 INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY  AND  ELIGIBILITY  STANDARDS  FOR
 SUCH  PROGRAM  TO  RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS AND SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMERS AT
 THE TIME OF SERVICE INITIATION, IN BILL INSERTS, IN COMMUNICATIONS  WITH
 CUSTOMERS  IN  ARREARS,  AND  BY OTHER MEANS REQUIRED OR APPROVED BY THE
 COMMISSION.
   5. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE UTILITY CORPORATIONS TO FILE  PERIODIC
 REPORTS REGARDING THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS PARTICIPATING IN SUCH
 PROGRAMS  AND  OTHER  INFORMATION DEEMED NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE BY THE
 COMMISSION.
   § 3. Section 1020-f of the public authorities law is amended by adding
 a new subdivision jj to read as follows:
   JJ.   TO IMPLEMENT, AS SOON AS  PRACTICABLE,  A  PROGRAM  TO  FUND  AN
 ARREARS RESOLUTION PROGRAM.
   1.  SUCH  PROGRAM SHALL BE FUNDED WITH (I) FUNDS RECEIVED BY THE STATE
 FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021, PUB. L. 117-2, AND ANY  OTHER
 FEDERAL  FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE FOR SUCH PURPOSE; AND (II) ANY STATE FUNDS
 APPROPRIATED FOR SUCH PROGRAM.   THE AUTHORITY MAY ADOPT  ANY  RULES  OR
 REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
   2.  THE  AUTHORITY  SHALL  REQUIRE  SERVICE  PROVIDERS TO ESTABLISH AN
 ARREARS RESOLUTION PROGRAM NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE
 DATE OF THIS SUBDIVISION FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS  AND  SMALL  BUSINESS
 CUSTOMERS  TO  PAY  ANY  UTILITY  ARREARS  OWED TO SUCH SERVICE PROVIDER
 DURING THE COVERED PERIOD WHEN SUCH A CUSTOMER HAS EXPERIENCED A  CHANGE
 IN  FINANCIAL  CIRCUMSTANCES, DUE TO THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY, AS
 DEFINED BY THE AUTHORITY.  THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM  SHALL  NOT
 BE  BORNE  BY  CUSTOMERS AND SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY THE
 SERVICE PROVIDER TO CUSTOMERS.
   3. A CUSTOMER'S UTILITY ARREARS SHALL BE PAID FROM FUNDS  RECEIVED  BY
 THE  SERVICE PROVIDER FROM THE ARREARS RESOLUTION FUNDING PROGRAM ESTAB-
 LISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   4. THE AUTHORITY SHALL REQUIRE SERVICE PROVIDERS TO  PROVIDE  INFORMA-
 TION  AND  APPLICATION  FORMS FOR SUCH PROGRAMS TO ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS ON
 THEIR WEBSITES, AT THEIR OFFICES, AND BY OTHER  MEANS,  AND  TO  PROVIDE
 INFORMATION  REGARDING  THE  AVAILABILITY  AND ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS FOR
 SUCH PROGRAM TO RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS AND SMALL  BUSINESS  CUSTOMERS  AT
 THE  TIME OF SERVICE INITIATION, IN BILL INSERTS, IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH
 A. 10642                            3
 
 CUSTOMERS IN ARREARS, AND BY OTHER MEANS REQUIRED  OR  APPROVED  BY  THE
 AUTHORITY.
   5.  THE  AUTHORITY  SHALL  REQUIRE  SERVICE PROVIDERS TO FILE PERIODIC
 REPORTS REGARDING THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS PARTICIPATING IN SUCH
 PROGRAMS AND OTHER INFORMATION DEEMED NECESSARY OR  APPROPRIATE  BY  THE
 AUTHORITY.
   6.  FOR  THE  PURPOSES  OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL
 HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   (I) "COVERED PERIOD" MEANS THE PERIOD BEGINNING  FEBRUARY  FIRST,  TWO
 THOUSAND TWENTY UNTIL NINETY DAYS AFTER DECEMBER THIRTY FIRST, TWO THOU-
 SAND TWENTY-ONE;
   (II)  "COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY" MEANS THE STATE DISASTER EMERGENCY
 DECLARED PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER TWO HUNDRED TWO OF TWO THOU-
 SAND TWENTY;
   (III) "SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMER" MEANS A BUSINESS WITH  TWENTY-FIVE  OR
 FEWER EMPLOYEES THAT IS NOT A (A) PUBLICLY HELD COMPANY, OR A SUBSIDIARY
 THEREOF, (B) SEASONAL, SHORT-TERM, OR TEMPORARY CUSTOMER, (C) HIGH ENER-
 GY  CUSTOMER  AS  DEFINED  BY  THE  AUTHORITY,  OR (D) CUSTOMER THAT THE
 SERVICE PROVIDER CAN DEMONSTRATE HAS THE RESOURCES TO PAY  ITS  ARREARS;
 AND
   (IV)  "UTILITY ARREARS" MEANS UNPAID UTILITY PAYMENTS BY A RESIDENTIAL
 CUSTOMER, SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMER, AND/OR RATEPAYER TO A SERVICE PROVID-
 ER ACCRUED DURING THE COVERED PERIOD.
   § 4. The public service law is amended by adding a new  section  89-bb
 to read as follows:
   §  89-BB.  ARREARS  RESOLUTION  PROGRAM.  1.  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS
 SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   (A) "COVERED PERIOD" MEANS THE PERIOD BEGINNING  FEBRUARY  FIRST,  TWO
 THOUSAND TWENTY UNTIL NINETY DAYS AFTER DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOU-
 SAND TWENTY-ONE;
   (B)  "COVID-19  STATE OF EMERGENCY" MEANS THE STATE DISASTER EMERGENCY
 DECLARED PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER TWO HUNDRED TWO OF TWO THOU-
 SAND TWENTY;
   (C) "SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMER" MEANS A  BUSINESS  WITH  TWENTY-FIVE  OR
 FEWER EMPLOYEES THAT IS NOT A (I) PUBLICLY HELD COMPANY, OR A SUBSIDIARY
 THEREOF,  (II)  SEASONAL,  SHORT-TERM, OR TEMPORARY CUSTOMER, (III) HIGH
 ENERGY CUSTOMER AS DEFINED BY THE COMMISSION, OR (IV) CUSTOMER THAT  THE
 WATER-WORKS  CORPORATION  AND/OR  MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM CAN DEMONSTRATE
 HAS THE RESOURCES TO PAY ITS ARREARS; AND
   (D) "WATER ARREARS" MEANS UNPAID WATER UTILITY PAYMENTS BY A  RESIDEN-
 TIAL CUSTOMER, SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMER AND/OR RATEPAYER TO A WATER-WORKS
 CORPORATION  AND/OR  MUNICIPAL  WATER  SYSTEM  THAT  ACCRUED  DURING THE
 COVERED PERIOD.
   2. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE WATER-WORKS CORPORATIONS AND MUNICIPAL
 WATER SYSTEMS TO ESTABLISH AN ARREARS RESOLUTION PROGRAM NO  LATER  THAN
 NINETY  DAYS  AFTER  THE  EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION FOR RESIDENTIAL
 CUSTOMERS AND SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMERS TO PAY ANY WATER ARREARS OWED  TO
 SUCH  WATER-WORKS  CORPORATION  AND/OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM DURING THE
 COVERED PERIOD WHEN SUCH A CUSTOMER HAS EXPERIENCED A CHANGE  IN  FINAN-
 CIAL CIRCUMSTANCES DUE TO THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY, AS DEFINED BY
 THE  DEPARTMENT. THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE BORNE BY
 CUSTOMERS AND SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED  BY  THE  WATER-WORKS
 CORPORATION AND/OR MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM TO CUSTOMERS.
   3. A CUSTOMER'S WATER ARREARS SHALL BE PAID FROM FUNDS RECEIVED BY THE
 WATER-WORKS  CORPORATION  OR  MUNICIPAL  WATER  SYSTEM  FROM THE ARREARS
 A. 10642                            4
 
 RESOLUTION FUNDING PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION  TWENTY-EIGHT
 OF THIS CHAPTER.
   4. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE WATER-WORKS CORPORATIONS AND MUNICIPAL
 WATER  SYSTEMS  TO  PROVIDE  INFORMATION  AND APPLICATION FORMS FOR SUCH
 PROGRAMS TO ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS ON THEIR WEBSITES, AT THEIR OFFICES,  AND
 BY  OTHER  MEANS,  AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY
 AND ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS FOR SUCH PROGRAM TO RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS  AND
 SMALL  BUSINESS  CUSTOMERS  AT  THE  TIME OF SERVICE INITIATION, IN BILL
 INSERTS, IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH CUSTOMERS IN ARREARS, AND BY OTHER MEANS
 REQUIRED OR APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION.
   5. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE WATER-WORKS CORPORATIONS AND MUNICIPAL
 WATER SYSTEMS TO FILE PERIODIC REPORTS REGARDING THE NUMBER OF  ELIGIBLE
 CUSTOMERS  PARTICIPATING  IN  SUCH PROGRAMS AND OTHER INFORMATION DEEMED
 NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE BY THE COMMISSION.
   § 5. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 91-b to
 read as follows:
   § 91-B. ARREARS RESOLUTION  PROGRAM.  1.  FOR  THE  PURPOSES  OF  THIS
 SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   (A)  "COVERED  PERIOD"  MEANS THE PERIOD BEGINNING FEBRUARY FIRST, TWO
 THOUSAND TWENTY UNTIL NINETY DAYS AFTER DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOU-
 SAND TWENTY-ONE;
   (B) "COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY" MEANS THE STATE  DISASTER  EMERGENCY
 DECLARED PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER TWO HUNDRED TWO OF TWO THOU-
 SAND TWENTY;
   (C)  "SMALL  BUSINESS  CUSTOMER"  MEANS A BUSINESS WITH TWENTY-FIVE OR
 FEWER EMPLOYEES THAT IS NOT A (I) PUBLICLY HELD COMPANY, OR A SUBSIDIARY
 THEREOF, (II) SEASONAL, SHORT-TERM, OR TEMPORARY  CUSTOMER,  (III)  HIGH
 USAGE  CUSTOMER  AS DEFINED BY THE COMMISSION, OR (IV) CUSTOMER THAT THE
 TELEPHONE CORPORATION CAN DEMONSTRATE  HAS  THE  RESOURCES  TO  PAY  ITS
 ARREARS; AND
   (D)  "TELEPHONE ARREARS" MEANS UNPAID TELEPHONE PAYMENTS BY A RESIDEN-
 TIAL AND/OR SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMER TO A TELEPHONE  CORPORATION  ACCRUED
 DURING THE COVERED PERIOD.
   2. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE TELEPHONE CORPORATIONS TO ESTABLISH AN
 ARREARS RESOLUTION PROGRAM NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE
 DATE  OF  THIS  SECTION  FOR  RESIDENTIAL  CUSTOMERS  AND SMALL BUSINESS
 CUSTOMERS TO PAY ANY TELEPHONE ARREARS OWED  TO  SUCH  TELEPHONE  CORPO-
 RATION  DURING THE COVERED PERIOD WHEN SUCH A CUSTOMER HAS EXPERIENCED A
 CHANGE IN FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES DUE TO THE COVID-19 STATE OF  EMERGEN-
 CY,  AS  DEFINED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT. THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM
 SHALL NOT BE BORNE BY CUSTOMERS AND SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED
 BY THE TELEPHONE CORPORATION TO CUSTOMERS.
   3. A CUSTOMER'S TELEPHONE ARREARS SHALL BE PAID FROM FUNDS RECEIVED BY
 THE TELEPHONE CORPORATION FROM THE ARREARS  RESOLUTION  FUNDING  PROGRAM
 ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER.
   4.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  REQUIRE  TELEPHONE CORPORATIONS TO PROVIDE
 INFORMATION AND APPLICATION FORMS FOR SUCH PROGRAMS TO ELIGIBLE  CUSTOM-
 ERS  ON  THEIR  WEBSITES,  AT  THEIR OFFICES, AND BY OTHER MEANS, AND TO
 PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY AND ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS
 FOR SUCH PROGRAM TO RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS AND SMALL  BUSINESS  CUSTOMERS
 AT  THE  TIME  OF SERVICE INITIATION, IN BILL INSERTS, IN COMMUNICATIONS
 WITH CUSTOMERS IN ARREARS, AND BY OTHER MEANS REQUIRED  OR  APPROVED  BY
 THE COMMISSION.
   5. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE TELEPHONE CORPORATIONS TO FILE PERIOD-
 IC  REPORTS  REGARDING THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS PARTICIPATING IN
 A. 10642                            5
 
 SUCH PROGRAMS AND OTHER INFORMATION DEEMED NECESSARY OR  APPROPRIATE  BY
 THE COMMISSION.
   §  6.  The public service law is amended by adding a new section 224-d
 to read as follows:
   § 224-D. BROADBAND SERVICES ARREARS RESOLUTION  PROGRAM.  1.  FOR  THE
 PURPOSES  OF  THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING
 MEANINGS:
   (A) "BROADBAND  SERVICE"  MEANS  A  MASS-MARKET  RETAIL  SERVICE  THAT
 PROVIDES THE CAPABILITY TO TRANSMIT DATA TO AND RECEIVE DATA FROM ALL OR
 SUBSTANTIALLY  ALL  INTERNET  ENDPOINTS, INCLUDING ANY CAPABILITIES THAT
 ARE INCIDENTAL  TO  AND  ENABLE  THE  OPERATION  OF  THE  COMMUNICATIONS
 SERVICE, BUT SHALL NOT INCLUDE DIAL-UP SERVICE;
   (B)  "BROADBAND  SERVICE ARREARS" MEANS UNPAID BROADBAND PAYMENTS BY A
 RESIDENTIAL AND/OR  SMALL  BUSINESS  CUSTOMER  TO  AN  INTERNET  SERVICE
 PROVIDER ACCRUED DURING THE COVERED PERIOD;
   (C)  "COVERED  PERIOD"  MEANS THE PERIOD BEGINNING FEBRUARY FIRST, TWO
 THOUSAND TWENTY UNTIL NINETY DAYS AFTER DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOU-
 SAND TWENTY-ONE;
   (D) "COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY" MEANS THE STATE  DISASTER  EMERGENCY
 DECLARED PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER TWO HUNDRED TWO OF TWO THOU-
 SAND TWENTY;
   (E)  "INTERNET  SERVICE PROVIDER" MEANS ANY PERSON, BUSINESS OR ORGAN-
 IZATION QUALIFIED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE  THAT  PROVIDES  INDIVID-
 UALS, CORPORATIONS, OR OTHER ENTITIES WITH THE ABILITY TO CONNECT TO THE
 INTERNET; AND
   (F)  "SMALL  BUSINESS  CUSTOMER"  MEANS A BUSINESS WITH TWENTY-FIVE OR
 FEWER EMPLOYEES THAT IS NOT A (I) PUBLICLY HELD COMPANY, OR A SUBSIDIARY
 THEREOF, (II) SEASONAL, SHORT-TERM, OR TEMPORARY  CUSTOMER,  (III)  HIGH
 USAGE  CUSTOMER  AS DEFINED BY THE COMMISSION, OR (IV) CUSTOMER THAT THE
 INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER CAN DEMONSTRATE HAS THE RESOURCES TO  PAY  ITS
 ARREARS.
   2.  (A)  THE  COMMISSION SHALL STUDY BROADBAND SERVICE ARREARS ACCRUED
 DURING THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY INCLUDING BY AREA  OF  THE  STATE
 WHERE  CUSTOMERS  OWE  SUCH  ARREARS,  THE  TYPES  OF SERVICES CUSTOMERS
 RECEIVE AND THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF SUCH ARREARS, AND ANY CURRENT PROGRAMS
 INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS OFFER THEIR  CUSTOMERS  TO  ASSIST  WITH  THE
 PAYMENT OF SUCH ARREARS.
   (B)  WITHIN  NINETY  DAYS  OF  THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE
 COMMISSION SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT OF  ITS  FINDINGS  AND  RECOMMENDATIONS
 FROM THE STUDY AND FOR THE CREATION OF BROADBAND SERVICES ARREARS RESOL-
 UTION  PROGRAMS,  TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
 AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY.
   3. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS  TO  ESTAB-
 LISH  AN  ARREARS RESOLUTION PROGRAM NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE
 SUBMISSION OF THE COMMISSION'S REPORT ON BROADBAND SERVICE  ARREARS  FOR
 RESIDENTIAL  CUSTOMERS AND SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMERS TO PAY ANY BROADBAND
 SERVICES ARREARS OWED TO  SUCH  INTERNET  SERVICE  PROVIDER  DURING  THE
 COVERED  PERIOD  WHEN SUCH A CUSTOMER HAS EXPERIENCED A CHANGE IN FINAN-
 CIAL CIRCUMSTANCES DUE TO THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY, AS DEFINED BY
 THE DEPARTMENT. THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE BORNE  BY
 CUSTOMERS  AND  SHALL  NOT  BE  ADDED  TO BILLS RENDERED BY THE INTERNET
 SERVICE PROVIDER TO CUSTOMERS.
   4. A CUSTOMER'S BROADBAND SERVICE ARREARS SHALL  BE  PAID  FROM  FUNDS
 RECEIVED  BY  THE  INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER FROM THE ARREARS RESOLUTION
 FUNDING PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO  SECTION  TWENTY-EIGHT  OF  THIS
 CHAPTER.
 A. 10642                            6
 
   5.  THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE
 INFORMATION AND APPLICATION FORMS FOR SUCH PROGRAMS TO ELIGIBLE  CUSTOM-
 ERS  ON  THEIR  WEBSITES,  AT  THEIR OFFICES, AND BY OTHER MEANS, AND TO
 PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY AND ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS
 FOR  SUCH  PROGRAM TO RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS AND SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMERS
 AT THE TIME OF SERVICE INITIATION, IN BILL  INSERTS,  IN  COMMUNICATIONS
 WITH  CUSTOMERS  IN  ARREARS, AND BY OTHER MEANS REQUIRED OR APPROVED BY
 THE COMMISSION.
   6. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE INTERNET  SERVICE  PROVIDERS  TO  FILE
 PERIODIC  REPORTS REGARDING THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS PARTICIPAT-
 ING IN SUCH PROGRAMS AND OTHER INFORMATION DEEMED NECESSARY OR APPROPRI-
 ATE BY THE COMMISSION.
   § 7. The public service law is amended by adding a new  section  224-e
 to read as follows:
   § 224-E. CABLE SERVICE ARREARS RESOLUTION PROGRAM. 1. FOR THE PURPOSES
 OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   (A)  "CABLE SERVICE ARREARS" MEANS UNPAID CABLE PAYMENTS BY A RESIDEN-
 TIAL AND/OR SMALL  BUSINESS  CUSTOMER  TO  A  CABLE  TELEVISION  COMPANY
 ACCRUED DURING THE COVERED PERIOD;
   (B)  "COVERED  PERIOD"  MEANS THE PERIOD BEGINNING FEBRUARY FIRST, TWO
 THOUSAND TWENTY UNTIL NINETY DAYS AFTER DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOU-
 SAND TWENTY-ONE;
   (C) "COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY" MEANS THE STATE  DISASTER  EMERGENCY
 DECLARED PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER TWO HUNDRED TWO OF TWO THOU-
 SAND TWENTY; AND
   (D) "CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS SUBDIVI-
 SION ONE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED TWELVE OF THIS ARTICLE.
   2. (A) THE COMMISSION SHALL STUDY CABLE SERVICE ARREARS ACCRUED DURING
 THE  COVID-19  STATE  OF  EMERGENCY INCLUDING BY AREA OF THE STATE WHERE
 CUSTOMERS OWE SUCH ARREARS, THE TYPES OF SERVICES CUSTOMERS RECEIVE  AND
 THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF SUCH ARREARS, AND ANY CURRENT PROGRAMS CABLE TELE-
 VISION  COMPANIES  OFFER  THEIR  CUSTOMERS TO ASSIST WITH THE PAYMENT OF
 SUCH ARREARS.
   (B) WITHIN NINETY DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  THIS  SECTION,  THE
 COMMISSION  SHALL  SUBMIT  A  REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
 FROM THE STUDY AND FOR THE CREATION OF CABLE SERVICE ARREARS  RESOLUTION
 PROGRAMS, TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE
 SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY.
   3.  THE  COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE CABLE TELEVISION COMPANIES TO ESTAB-
 LISH AN ARREARS RESOLUTION PROGRAM NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS  AFTER  THE
 SUBMISSION OF THE COMMISSION'S REPORT ON CABLE SERVICE ARREARS FOR RESI-
 DENTIAL CUSTOMERS AND SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMERS TO PAY ANY CABLE SERVICES
 ARREARS OWED TO SUCH CABLE TELEVISION COMPANIES DURING THE COVERED PERI-
 OD  WHEN  SUCH  A CUSTOMER HAS EXPERIENCED A CHANGE IN FINANCIAL CIRCUM-
 STANCES DUE TO THE COVID-19  STATE  OF  EMERGENCY,  AS  DEFINED  BY  THE
 COMMISSION.  THE  FISCAL  IMPACT  OF  SUCH PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE BORNE BY
 CUSTOMERS AND SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO BILLS RENDERED BY  THE  CABLE  TELE-
 VISION COMPANIES PROVIDER TO CUSTOMERS.
   4.  A  CUSTOMER'S  CABLE  SERVICE  ARREARS  SHALL  BE  PAID FROM FUNDS
 RECEIVED BY THE CABLE TELEVISION COMPANIES FROM THE  ARREARS  RESOLUTION
 FUNDING  PROGRAM  ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT  TO SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT OF THIS
 CHAPTER.
   5. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE CABLE TELEVISION COMPANIES TO  PROVIDE
 INFORMATION  AND APPLICATION FORMS FOR SUCH PROGRAMS TO ELIGIBLE CUSTOM-
 ERS ON THEIR WEBSITES, AT THEIR OFFICES, AND  BY  OTHER  MEANS,  AND  TO
 PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY AND ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS
 A. 10642                            7

 FOR  SUCH  PROGRAM TO RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS AND SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMERS
 AT THE TIME OF SERVICE INITIATION, IN BILL  INSERTS,  IN  COMMUNICATIONS
 WITH  CUSTOMERS  IN  ARREARS, AND BY OTHER MEANS REQUIRED OR APPROVED BY
 THE COMMISSION.
   6.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  REQUIRE CABLE TELEVISION COMPANIES TO FILE
 PERIODIC REPORTS REGARDING THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS  PARTICIPAT-
 ING IN SUCH PROGRAMS AND OTHER INFORMATION DEEMED NECESSARY OR APPROPRI-
 ATE BY THE COMMISSION.
   § 8. This act shall take effect immediately.