Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/s8321
Timestamp: 2019-06-20 11:01:07
Document Index: 222955349

Matched Legal Cases: ['Art 12', '§250', '§219', '§165', '§104', '§2879', '§143', '§  2', '§  250', '§  251', '§ 252', '§ 253', '§  254', '§ 255', '§  3', '§ 4', '§ 119', '§ 6', '§ 104', '§  7', '§ 8', '§  9']

NY State Senate Bill S8321
senate Bill S8321
Get Status Alerts for S8321
S8321 (ACTIVE) - Details
Add Art 12 §§250 - 255, amd §§219 & 119-a, Pub Serv L; amd §165, St Fin L; add §104-d, Gen Muni L; amd §2879, Pub Auth L; amd §143, Ec Dev L
S8321 (ACTIVE) - Summary
S8321 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER: S8321
Internet neutrality; and to amend the state finance law, the general
municipal law, the public authorities law and the economic development
law, in relation to requiring that procurement contracts require compli-
ance with Internet neutrality requirements
The purpose of this bill is to establish a comprehensive framework to
restore net neutrality and thus preserve a free and open internet.
Section 1 establishes legislative intent. It finds and declares this act
is adopted pursuant to the police power of the state.
Section 2 amends the public service law by adding a new article 12 that
defines provisions relating to internet service providers including:
internet neutrality, Broadband Internet Access Evaluation, and Infras-
tructure awards. In addition to the authority granted to the commission,
this grants the attorney general the ability to enforce provisions of
this article under section sixty-three of executive law. This section
establishes that nothing in this article supersedes or limits any obli-
gation of an ISP to address the needs of emergency communications or law
enforcement, public safety or national security authorities.
Section 3 amends Section 219 of public service law to add a new subdivi-
sion 4 that establishes that certain definitions shall have the same
meaning in this section as in section two hundred and fifty of this
chapter. This section also prohibits certain activities by a cable oper-
ator or video service provider, insofar as the provider has been granted
a franchise, and any affiliate, insofar as the provider is engaged in
providing broadband Internet access service.
Section 4 amends Section 119-a of the public service law by providing
that no permission shall be granted to a cable television or Internet
service provider for attachments on utility poles as provided in the
section unless such Internet service provider is in compliance with the
provisions of section two hundred fifty-one of this chapter.
Section 5 amends Section 165 of the state finance law by adding a new
subdivision 9 that provides the state shall not purchase, provide fund-
ing or enter into a contract with a provider of broadband internet
access unless the service is consistent with the requirements of section
two hundred-fifty-one of the public service law. If, after a contract is
entered, the Internet service provider is deemed to have violated the
sections the contract will be void and require repayments. There is an
exemption for geographical areas with limited Internet access services.
An Internet service provider shall publicly disclose accurate informa-
tion sufficient to enable end users and purchasers to fully ascertain
the service is conducted in a lawful manner.
Section 6 amends the general municipal law that provides a municipal
corporation shall not purchase, provide funding or enter into a contract
with a provider of broadband Internet access unless the service is
consistent with the requirements of section two hundred-fifty-one of the
public service law. If, after a contract is entered, the Internet
service provider is deemed to have violated the terms of this legis-
lation, the contract will be void and require repayments. There is an
that the service is conducted in a lawful manner.
Section 7 amends section 2879 of the public authorities law by adding a
new paragraph (n-1 that requires procurements comply with section two
hundred fifty-one of the public service law.
Section 8 amends section 143 of the economic development law to require
each agency to conduct procurements in a manner that complies with the
provisions of section two hundred fifty one of the public service law.
Section 9 establishes severability.
Section 10 states this act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after
On December 14, 2017 the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
voted to repeal the open internet and "network neutrality" rules formal-
ly established in 2015, but with roots stemming back to 2005.  The
underlying purpose of net neutrality is that all content on the internet
should be treated equally. Without it, broadband providers which control
access to the Internet can block or throttle certain services or appli-
cations for their own profit, and distort what content a consumer can
freely access. The Internet is now at risk of falling victim to the
whims of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) managing and manipulating
content and content speeds.
Where the Federal government fails it is necessary for the states to
step in and provide a platform for innovation and free expression, while
protecting consumers and spurring the economy. Net neutrality has become
enshrined in as a core principle to free speech and to the health of
democracy. In a world in which the Internet is considered to be the
"great equalizer," an open Internet allows for the creation of a plat-
form for expanded discourse, greater access to information and the abil-
ity of the disenfranchised to organize. Infringing on net neutrality is
antithetical to democracy itself, as it gives control over content to
large special interests rather than to the people.  Further, net
neutrality allows for innovation, the proliferation of small businesses
and private-sector job creation. Thus, this is an issue that goes to our
core values as Americans-that of free speech and the American economic
dream. It is now incumbent on states, like New York, to restore an open
This bill is modeled after California's net neutrality bill Senate Bill
822 of 2018, which has been heralded as the most comprehensive and
strongest net neutrality legislation in the nation. The bill will effec-
tively codify all of the protections established by the 2015 FCC Order.
By doing so this fully restores the protections all Americans have come
to rely upon and ensures that they will have them into the future.
If both New York and California re-establish net neutrality it would
send a strong signal that the nation's largest states and economies
intend to ensure that their residents are protected. The internet is no
longer a luxury, but a necessity in every area of American life ranging
from education to public safety. The states must act to protect its free
This act shall take place on the sixtieth day after it shall have become
S8321 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to Internet neutral-
ity;  and  to  amend the state finance law, the general municipal law,
the public authorities  law  and  the  economic  development  law,  in
relation  to  requiring  that procurement contracts require compliance
with Internet neutrality requirements
Section  1. Legislative intent. The legislature finds and declares the
(a) This act is adopted pursuant to the police power inherent  in  the
state  of  New  York  to  protect  and  promote the safety, life, public
health, public convenience, general prosperity, and well-being of socie-
ty, and the welfare of the state's  population  and  economy,  that  are
increasingly dependent on an open and neutral Internet.
(b)  Almost every sector of New York's economy, democracy, and society
is dependent on the open and neutral Internet that supports vital  func-
tions  regulated under the police power of the state, including, but not
limited to, each of the following:
(1) police and emergency services;
(2) health and safety services and infrastructure;
(3) utility services and infrastructure;
(4) transportation infrastructure and services, and the  expansion  of
zero- and low-emission transportation options;
(5)  government services, voting, and democratic decision making proc-
(7) business and economic activity;
(8) environmental monitoring and protection, and achievement of  state
(9) land use regulation.
LBD14680-02-8
S. 8321                             2
§  2.  The public service law is amended by adding a new article 12 to
251. INTERNET NEUTRALITY.
252. BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS EVALUATION.
253. INFRASTRUCTURE AWARDS.
254. ENFORCEMENT.
255. APPLICATION.
§  250. DEFINITIONS. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, THE FOLLOWING DEFI-
1. "APPLICATION-AGNOSTIC" MEANS NOT DIFFERENTIATING ON  THE  BASIS  OF
SOURCE,  DESTINATION, INTERNET CONTENT, APPLICATION, SERVICE, OR DEVICE,
OR CLASS OF INTERNET CONTENT, APPLICATION, SERVICE, OR DEVICE.
2. "APPLICATION-SPECIFIC DIFFERENTIAL PRICING" MEANS CHARGING  DIFFER-
ENT  PRICES  FOR  INTERNET TRAFFIC TO CUSTOMERS ON THE BASIS OF INTERNET
CONTENT, APPLICATION, SERVICE, OR DEVICE, OR CLASS OF INTERNET  CONTENT,
APPLICATION, SERVICE, OR DEVICE, BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE ZERO-RATING.
3.  "BROADBAND  INTERNET  ACCESS  SERVICE"  MEANS A MASS-MARKET RETAIL
SERVICE BY WIRE OR RADIO PROVIDED TO CUSTOMERS IN NEW YORK 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  EXCLUDING  DIAL-UP  INTERNET  ACCESS  SERVICE. "BROADBAND
INTERNET ACCESS  SERVICE"  ALSO  ENCOMPASSES  ANY  SERVICE  PROVIDED  TO
CUSTOMERS  IN  NEW  YORK  THAT  PROVIDES A FUNCTIONAL EQUIVALENT OF THAT
SERVICE OR THAT IS USED TO EVADE THE PROTECTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS CHAP-
4. "CLASS OF INTERNET CONTENT, APPLICATION, SERVICE, OR DEVICE"  MEANS
INTERNET  CONTENT,  OR  A  GROUP  OF INTERNET APPLICATIONS, SERVICES, OR
DEVICES, SHARING A COMMON CHARACTERISTIC, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
SHARING THE SAME SOURCE OR DESTINATION, BELONGING TO THE  SAME  TYPE  OF
CONTENT, APPLICATION, SERVICE, OR DEVICE, USING THE SAME APPLICATION- OR
TRANSPORT-LAYER  PROTOCOL,  OR HAVING SIMILAR TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE SIZE, SEQUENCING, OR TIMING OF  PACK-
ETS, OR SENSITIVITY TO DELAY.
5.  "CONTENT,  APPLICATIONS,  OR  SERVICES" MEANS ALL INTERNET TRAFFIC
TRANSMITTED TO OR FROM END USERS OF A BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE,
INCLUDING TRAFFIC THAT MAY NOT FIT CLEARLY INTO ANY OF THESE CATEGORIES.
6. "EDGE PROVIDER" MEANS ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY  THAT  PROVIDES  ANY
CONTENT,  APPLICATION,  OR SERVICE OVER THE INTERNET, AND ANY INDIVIDUAL
OR ENTITY THAT PROVIDES A DEVICE USED FOR ACCESSING ANY CONTENT,  APPLI-
CATION, OR SERVICE OVER THE INTERNET.
7.  "END  USER"  MEANS  ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY THAT USES A BROADBAND
8. "INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER" OR "ISP" MEANS A BUSINESS THAT PROVIDES
BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE TO AN INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATION, GOVERN-
MENT, OR OTHER CUSTOMER IN NEW YORK.
9. "ISP TRAFFIC EXCHANGE"  MEANS  THE  EXCHANGE  OF  INTERNET  TRAFFIC
DESTINED  FOR,  OR  ORIGINATING FROM, AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER'S END
USERS BETWEEN THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER'S NETWORK AND ANOTHER  INDI-
VIDUAL  OR  ENTITY,  INCLUDING,  BUT  NOT  LIMITED TO, AN EDGE PROVIDER,
CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORK, OR OTHER NETWORK OPERATOR.
10. "MASS MARKET" MEANS A SERVICE MARKETED AND SOLD ON A  STANDARDIZED
BASIS  TO  RESIDENTIAL  CUSTOMERS,  SMALL  BUSINESSES, AND OTHER END-USE
S. 8321                             3
CUSTOMERS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SCHOOLS, INSTITUTIONS OF HIGH-
ER LEARNING, AND LIBRARIES.  THE TERM ALSO INCLUDES  BROADBAND  INTERNET
ACCESS  SERVICES  PURCHASED  WITH SUPPORT OF THE E-RATE AND RURAL HEALTH
PROGRAM  AND SIMILAR PROGRAMS AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL, REGARDLESS
OF WHETHER THEY ARE CUSTOMIZED OR INDIVIDUALLY NEGOTIATED,  AS  WELL  AS
ANY  BROADBAND  INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE OFFERED USING NETWORKS SUPPORTED
BY THE CONNECT AMERICA FUND OR SIMILAR PROGRAMS AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE
11. "NETWORK MANAGEMENT PRACTICE" MEANS A PRACTICE THAT HAS A PRIMARI-
LY TECHNICAL NETWORK MANAGEMENT  JUSTIFICATION,  BUT  DOES  NOT  INCLUDE
12.  "REASONABLE  NETWORK MANAGEMENT PRACTICE" MEANS A NETWORK MANAGE-
MENT PRACTICE THAT IS PRIMARILY USED FOR, AND TAILORED TO,  ACHIEVING  A
LEGITIMATE  NETWORK  MANAGEMENT PURPOSE, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE PARTIC-
ULAR NETWORK ARCHITECTURE  AND  TECHNOLOGY  OF  THE  BROADBAND  INTERNET
ACCESS SERVICE, AND THAT IS AS APPLICATION-AGNOSTIC AS POSSIBLE.
13.  "THIRD-PARTY  PAID  PRIORITIZATION"  MEANS  THE  MANAGEMENT OF AN
INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER'S NETWORK TO DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FAVOR SOME
TRAFFIC OVER OTHER TRAFFIC, INCLUDING THROUGH THE USE OF TECHNIQUES SUCH
AS TRAFFIC SHAPING, PRIORITIZATION, RESOURCE RESERVATION, OR OTHER FORMS
OF PREFERENTIAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT, EITHER: (A) IN EXCHANGE FOR  CONSID-
ERATION, MONETARY OR OTHERWISE, FROM A THIRD PARTY; OR (B) TO BENEFIT AN
14. "ZERO-RATING" MEANS EXEMPTING SOME INTERNET TRAFFIC FROM A CUSTOM-
ER'S DATA LIMITATION.
§  251.  INTERNET  NEUTRALITY. 1. IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR AN INTERNET
SERVICE PROVIDER, INSOFAR AS THE PROVIDER IS ENGAGED IN PROVIDING BROAD-
BAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE, TO ENGAGE IN ANY OF THE  FOLLOWING  ACTIV-
(A)  BLOCKING  LAWFUL  CONTENT, APPLICATIONS, SERVICES, OR NON-HARMFUL
DEVICES, SUBJECT TO REASONABLE NETWORK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.
(B) SPEEDING UP,  SLOWING  DOWN,  ALTERING,  RESTRICTING,  INTERFERING
WITH,  OR  OTHERWISE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FAVORING, DISADVANTAGING, OR
DISCRIMINATING BETWEEN LAWFUL INTERNET TRAFFIC ON THE BASIS  OF  SOURCE,
DESTINATION,  INTERNET  CONTENT,  APPLICATION,  OR  SERVICE, OR USE OF A
NON-HARMFUL DEVICE,  OR  OF  CLASS  OF  INTERNET  CONTENT,  APPLICATION,
SERVICE, OR NON-HARMFUL DEVICE, SUBJECT TO REASONABLE NETWORK MANAGEMENT
(C)  REQUIRING  CONSIDERATION  FROM EDGE PROVIDERS, MONETARY OR OTHER-
WISE, IN EXCHANGE FOR ACCESS TO  THE  INTERNET  SERVICE  PROVIDER'S  END
USERS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, REQUIRING CONSIDERATION FOR EITHER
(I)  TRANSMITTING  INTERNET  TRAFFIC  TO AND FROM THE INTERNET SERVICE
PROVIDER'S END USERS.
(II) REFRAINING FROM THE ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED IN PARAGRAPHS  (A)  AND
(B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
(D) ENGAGING IN THIRD-PARTY PAID PRIORITIZATION.
(E) ENGAGING IN APPLICATION-SPECIFIC DIFFERENTIAL PRICING OR ZERO-RAT-
ING  IN  EXCHANGE  FOR  CONSIDERATION,  MONETARY  OR OTHERWISE, BY THIRD
(F) ZERO-RATING SOME  INTERNET  CONTENT,  APPLICATIONS,  SERVICES,  OR
DEVICES  IN  A  CATEGORY OF INTERNET CONTENT, APPLICATIONS, SERVICES, OR
DEVICES, BUT NOT THE ENTIRE CATEGORY.
(G) ENGAGING IN APPLICATION-SPECIFIC DIFFERENTIAL PRICING.
(H) UNREASONABLY INTERFERING  WITH,  OR  UNREASONABLY  DISADVANTAGING,
EITHER AN END USER'S ABILITY TO SELECT, ACCESS, AND USE BROADBAND INTER-
S. 8321                             4
NET  ACCESS  SERVICE OR LAWFUL INTERNET CONTENT, APPLICATIONS, SERVICES,
OR DEVICES OF THE END USER'S CHOICE, OR AN EDGE  PROVIDER'S  ABILITY  TO
MAKE  LAWFUL CONTENT, APPLICATIONS, SERVICES, OR DEVICES AVAILABLE TO AN
END USER, SUBJECT TO REASONABLE NETWORK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.
(I)  ENGAGING  IN  PRACTICES  WITH  RESPECT  TO,  RELATED  TO,  OR  IN
CONNECTION WITH, ISP TRAFFIC EXCHANGE THAT HAVE THE PURPOSE OR EFFECT OF
CIRCUMVENTING OR UNDERMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS SECTION.
(J) ENGAGING IN  DECEPTIVE  OR  MISLEADING  MARKETING  PRACTICES  THAT
MISREPRESENT  THE  TREATMENT OF INTERNET TRAFFIC, CONTENT, APPLICATIONS,
SERVICES, OR DEVICES BY THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER, OR THAT MISREPRE-
SENT THE PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OR COMMERCIAL TERMS OF  THE  BROAD-
BAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE TO ITS CUSTOMERS.
(K)  ADVERTISING,  OFFERING  FOR  SALE,  OR SELLING BROADBAND INTERNET
ACCESS SERVICE  WITHOUT  PROMINENTLY  DISCLOSING  WITH  SPECIFICITY  ALL
ASPECTS OF THE SERVICE ADVERTISED, OFFERED FOR SALE, OR SOLD.
(L)  FAILING  TO  PUBLICLY DISCLOSE ACCURATE INFORMATION REGARDING THE
NETWORK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, PERFORMANCE, AND COMMERCIAL TERMS  OF  ITS
BROADBAND  INTERNET  ACCESS  SERVICES  SUFFICIENT  FOR CONSUMERS TO MAKE
INFORMED CHOICES REGARDING USE OF THOSE SERVICES AND FOR CONTENT, APPLI-
CATION, SERVICE, AND DEVICE PROVIDERS TO DEVELOP, MARKET,  AND  MAINTAIN
(M)  OFFERING  OR  PROVIDING  SERVICES  OTHER  THAN BROADBAND INTERNET
ACCESS SERVICE THAT ARE DELIVERED OVER THE SAME LAST-MILE CONNECTION  AS
THE  BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE, IF THOSE SERVICES SATISFY ANY OF
(I) THEY ARE MARKETED, PROVIDE, OR CAN BE USED AS A FUNCTIONAL  EQUIV-
ALENT OF BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE.
(II)  THEY  HAVE THE PURPOSE OR EFFECT OF CIRCUMVENTING OR UNDERMINING
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS SECTION.
(III) THEY NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE  PERFORMANCE  OF  BROADBAND  INTERNET
2. (A) AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER MAY OFFER DIFFERENT TYPES OF TECH-
NICAL  TREATMENT  TO  END USERS AS PART OF ITS BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS
SERVICE, WITHOUT VIOLATING THE PROVISIONS OF  SUBDIVISION  ONE  OF  THIS
SECTION, IF ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS EXIST:
(I)  THE  DIFFERENT TYPES OF TECHNICAL TREATMENT ARE EQUALLY AVAILABLE
TO ALL INTERNET CONTENT, APPLICATIONS, SERVICES, AND  DEVICES,  AND  ALL
CLASSES  OF  INTERNET  CONTENT, APPLICATIONS, SERVICES, AND DEVICES, AND
THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE IN THE PROVISION  OF
THE  DIFFERENT  TYPES  OF  TECHNICAL  TREATMENT ON THE BASIS OF INTERNET
APPLICATION, SERVICE, OR DEVICE.
(II)  THE  INTERNET  SERVICE  PROVIDER'S  END USERS ARE ABLE TO CHOOSE
WHETHER, WHEN, AND FOR WHICH INTERNET CONTENT,  APPLICATIONS,  SERVICES,
OR  DEVICES,  OR CLASSES OF INTERNET CONTENT, APPLICATIONS, SERVICES, OR
DEVICES, TO USE EACH TYPE OF TECHNICAL TREATMENT.
(III) THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER CHARGES  ONLY  ITS  OWN  BROADBAND
INTERNET  ACCESS SERVICE CUSTOMERS FOR THE USE OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF
TECHNICAL TREATMENT.
(B) ANY INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER OFFERING DIFFERENT TYPES OF  TECHNI-
CAL  TREATMENT  PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL NOTIFY THE COMMISSION
AND PROVIDE THE COMMISSION WITH A SPECIMEN OF ANY SERVICE CONTRACT  THAT
IT OFFERS TO CUSTOMERS IN NEW YORK.
(C)  IF AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER OFFERS DIFFERENT TYPES OF TECHNI-
CAL TREATMENT PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION, THE COMMISSION SHALL MONITOR
THE QUALITY OF THE BASIC DEFAULT SERVICE AND ESTABLISH  MINIMUM  QUALITY
S. 8321                             5
REQUIREMENTS  IF THE OFFERING OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TECHNICAL TREAT-
MENT DEGRADES THE QUALITY OF THE BASIC DEFAULT SERVICE.
3.  AN  INTERNET  SERVICE  PROVIDER  MAY ZERO-RATE INTERNET TRAFFIC IN
APPLICATION-AGNOSTIC WAYS, WITHOUT VIOLATING THE PROVISIONS OF  SUBDIVI-
SION  ONE  OF  THIS SECTION, PROVIDED THAT NO CONSIDERATION, MONETARY OR
OTHERWISE, IS PROVIDED BY ANY THIRD PARTY IN EXCHANGE FOR THE PROVIDER'S
DECISION TO ZERO-RATE OR TO NOT ZERO-RATE TRAFFIC.
§ 252.  BROADBAND  INTERNET  ACCESS  EVALUATION.  THE  COMMISSION,  IN
CONSULTATION  WITH THE POWER AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE NYS
BROADBAND PROGRAM OFFICE AND ELECTRICAL CORPORATIONS, SHALL EVALUATE THE
ROLE BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS AND TOOLS, ESPECIALLY AS THEY  RELATE  TO
PRIVATE  CONSUMERS,  WILL  PLAY  IN  THE FUTURE OPERATION OF THE STATE'S
POWER GRID. THE EVALUATION SHOULD CONSIDER AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING:
1. THE RELIANCE  OF  ELECTRICAL  CORPORATIONS  ON  CONSUMER  BROADBAND
SERVICES TO MANAGE ENERGY RESOURCES;
2.  THE  IMPACT  THAT PAID PRIORITIZATION, THROTTLING, AND BLOCKING IN
CONSUMER BROADBAND INTERNET SERVICE WOULD HAVE  ON  RESOURCE  MANAGEMENT
AND GRID RELIABILITY; AND
3. THE FUTURE COST TO THE STATE AND AGENCIES IF STATE AGENCIES NEED TO
ENTER  INTO  LONG-TERM  PAID  PRIORITIZATION CONTRACTS IF NET NEUTRALITY
PRINCIPLES ARE NO LONGER IN PLACE.
§ 253. INFRASTRUCTURE AWARDS. 1. AN AWARD OF MONEYS BY THE NYS  BROAD-
BAND  PROGRAM  OFFICE  FOR  THE BUILDING OF INFRASTRUCTURE FOR BROADBAND
COMMUNICATIONS SHALL REQUIRE THE AWARDEE TO PREVENT ANY INTERNET SERVICE
PROVIDER THAT PROVIDES BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE UTILIZING  THAT
INFRASTRUCTURE  FROM  VIOLATING  THE  PROVISIONS  OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED
FIFTY-ONE OF THIS ARTICLE.
2. AN AWARD OF MONEYS BY THE NYS BROADBAND PROGRAM OFFICE  FOR  ACCESS
TO  THE  INTERNET  SHALL  PROHIBIT  ANY  INTERNET  SERVICE PROVIDER THAT
RECEIVES THOSE MONEYS FROM  VIOLATING  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION  TWO
§  254.  ENFORCEMENT.  IN  ADDITION  TO  THE  AUTHORITY GRANTED TO THE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER, THE ATTORNEY  GENERAL  MAY  ENFORCE
THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  ARTICLE TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER SECTION
SIXTY-THREE OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW.
§ 255. APPLICATION. NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SUPERSEDES OR  LIMITS  ANY
OBLIGATION, AUTHORIZATION, OR ABILITY OF AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER TO
ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS OR LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUBLIC
SAFETY, OR NATIONAL SECURITY AUTHORITIES.
§  3. Section 219 of the public service law is amended by adding a new
4. (A) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "APPLICATION-AGNOSTIC," "APPLICA-
TION-SPECIFIC  DIFFERENTIAL   PRICING,"   "BROADBAND   INTERNET   ACCESS
SERVICE,"  "CLASS OF INTERNET CONTENT, APPLICATION, SERVICE, OR DEVICE,"
"CONTENT, APPLICATIONS,  OR  SERVICES,"  "EDGE  PROVIDER,"  "END  USER,"
"INTERNET  SERVICE  PROVIDER,"  "ISP,"  "ISP  TRAFFIC  EXCHANGE,"  "MASS
MARKET," "NETWORK MANAGEMENT PRACTICE," "REASONABLE  NETWORK  MANAGEMENT
PRACTICE," "THIRD-PARTY PAID PRIORITIZATION," AND "ZERO-RATING" HAVE THE
SAME MEANINGS AS DEFINED IN SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY OF THIS CHAPTER.
(B) A CABLE OPERATOR OR VIDEO SERVICE PROVIDER THAT HAS BEEN GRANTED A
FRANCHISE,  AND  ANY  AFFILIATE,  INSOFAR  AS THE PROVIDER IS ENGAGED IN
PROVIDING BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE, SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN ANY  OF
(I)  BLOCKING  LAWFUL  CONTENT, APPLICATIONS, SERVICES, OR NON-HARMFUL
S. 8321                             6
(II) SPEEDING UP, SLOWING  DOWN,  ALTERING,  RESTRICTING,  INTERFERING
NON-HARMFUL  DEVICE,  OR  OF  CLASS  OF  INTERNET  CONTENT, APPLICATION,
(III) REQUIRING CONSIDERATION FROM EDGE PROVIDERS, MONETARY OR  OTHER-
WISE,  IN  EXCHANGE  FOR  ACCESS  TO THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER'S END
(A) TRANSMITTING INTERNET TRAFFIC TO AND  FROM  THE  INTERNET  SERVICE
PROVIDER'S END USERS; AND
(B) REFRAINING FROM THE ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED IN SUBPARAGRAPHS (I) AND
(IV) ENGAGING IN THIRD-PARTY PAID PRIORITIZATION.
(V) ENGAGING IN APPLICATION-SPECIFIC DIFFERENTIAL PRICING OR ZERO-RAT-
(VI) ZERO-RATING SOME INTERNET  CONTENT,  APPLICATIONS,  SERVICES,  OR
(VII) ENGAGING IN APPLICATION-SPECIFIC DIFFERENTIAL PRICING.
(VIII) UNREASONABLY INTERFERING WITH, OR UNREASONABLY  DISADVANTAGING,
(IX) ENGAGING  IN  PRACTICES  WITH  RESPECT  TO,  RELATED  TO,  OR  IN
CIRCUMVENTING OR UNDERMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
(X)  ENGAGING  IN  DECEPTIVE  OR  MISLEADING  MARKETING PRACTICES THAT
MISREPRESENT THE TREATMENT OF INTERNET TRAFFIC,  CONTENT,  APPLICATIONS,
SENT  THE  PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OR COMMERCIAL TERMS OF THE BROAD-
(XI) ADVERTISING, OFFERING FOR SALE,  OR  SELLING  BROADBAND  INTERNET
ACCESS  SERVICE  WITHOUT  PROMINENTLY  DISCLOSING  WITH  SPECIFICITY ALL
(XII) FAILING TO PUBLICLY DISCLOSE ACCURATE INFORMATION REGARDING  THE
NETWORK  MANAGEMENT  PRACTICES, PERFORMANCE, AND COMMERCIAL TERMS OF ITS
BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES  SUFFICIENT  FOR  CONSUMERS  TO  MAKE
CATION,  SERVICE,  AND DEVICE PROVIDERS TO DEVELOP, MARKET, AND MAINTAIN
(XIII) OFFERING OR PROVIDING SERVICES OTHER  THAN  BROADBAND  INTERNET
ACCESS SERVICES THAT ARE DELIVERED OVER THE SAME LAST-MILE CONNECTION AS
(A) THEY ARE MARKETED, PROVIDE, OR CAN BE USED AS A FUNCTIONAL  EQUIV-
ALENT OF BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE; OR
(B)  THEY  HAVE  THE PURPOSE OR EFFECT OF CIRCUMVENTING OR UNDERMINING
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS SECTION; OR
(C) THEY NEGATIVELY  AFFECT  THE  PERFORMANCE  OF  BROADBAND  INTERNET
S. 8321                             7
(C)  (I)  AN  INTERNET  SERVICE  PROVIDER MAY OFFER DIFFERENT TYPES OF
TECHNICAL TREATMENT TO END USERS  AS  PART  OF  ITS  BROADBAND  INTERNET
ACCESS  SERVICE IF IT MEETS THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF
SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE OF THIS CHAPTER.
(II)  AN  INTERNET  SERVICE PROVIDER MAY ZERO-RATE INTERNET TRAFFIC IN
APPLICATION-AGNOSTIC WAYS, PROVIDED THAT NO CONSIDERATION,  MONETARY  OR
(D)  IN  ADDITION  TO THE AUTHORITY GRANTED THE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO
THIS CHAPTER, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY ENFORCE THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS
ARTICLE  TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER SECTION SIXTY-THREE OF THE EXECU-
§ 4. Section 119-a of the public service law, as added by chapter  703
§ 119-a. Attachments  to utility poles; use of utility ducts, trenches
and conduits. 1. The commission  shall  prescribe  just  and  reasonable
rates, terms and conditions for attachments to utility poles and the use
of  utility  ducts,  trenches  and  conduits. A just and reasonable rate
shall assure the utility of the recovery of not less than the additional
cost of providing a pole attachment  or  of  using  a  trench,  duct  or
conduit  nor more than the actual operating expenses and return on capi-
tal of the utility attributed to that portion of the pole, duct,  trench
or  conduit used.   With respect to cable television OR INTERNET SERVICE
attachments and use, such portion  shall  be  the  percentage  of  total
usable space on a pole or the total capacity of the duct or conduit that
is  occupied  by  the  facilities of the user. Usable space shall be the
space on a utility pole above the minimum grade level which can be  used
for the attachment of wires and cables.
2.  NO  PERMISSION  SHALL BE GRANTED TO A CABLE TELEVISION OR INTERNET
SERVICE PROVIDER FOR ATTACHMENTS ON UTILITY POLES AS  PROVIDED  IN  THIS
SECTION  UNLESS SUCH INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
9. INTERNET NEUTRALITY. A. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION:
(I)  "BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE," "INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER,"
"NETWORK MANAGEMENT PRACTICE," AND "REASONABLE NETWORK MANAGEMENT  PRAC-
TICE"  SHALL  HAVE  THE  SAME MEANINGS AS DEFINED IN SECTION TWO HUNDRED
FIFTY OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAW; AND
(II) "THE STATE" INCLUDES THE STATE AND  ANY  GOVERNMENTAL  AGENCY  OR
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OR PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION OF THE STATE.
B.  (I)  THE  STATE  SHALL  NOT PURCHASE ANY FIXED OR MOBILE BROADBAND
INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES FROM AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER  THAT  IS  IN
VIOLATION  OF  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE OF THE
(II) THE STATE SHALL NOT PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF ANY FIXED
OR MOBILE BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES FROM  AN  INTERNET  SERVICE
PROVIDER  THAT  IS IN VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED
FIFTY-ONE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAW.
C. (I) EVERY CONTRACT  BETWEEN  THE  STATE  AND  AN  INTERNET  SERVICE
PROVIDER  FOR  BROADBAND  INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE SHALL REQUIRE THAT THE
SERVICE BE RENDERED CONSISTENT WITH  THE  REQUIREMENTS  OF  SECTION  TWO
(II)  IF,  AFTER EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT FOR BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS
SERVICE THE STATE DETERMINES THAT  THE  INTERNET  SERVICE  PROVIDER  HAS
VIOLATED  THE  PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE OF THE PUBLIC
S. 8321                             8
SERVICE LAW IN PROVIDING SERVICE TO THE STATE, THE STATE MAY DECLARE THE
CONTRACT VOID FROM THE TIME IT WAS ENTERED INTO AND REQUIRE REPAYMENT OF
ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO THE  INTERNET  SERVICE  PROVIDER  PURSUANT  TO  THE
CONTRACT.  THE  REMEDIES AVAILABLE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION ARE IN ADDI-
TION TO ANY REMEDY AVAILABLE PURSUANT TO  ARTICLE  TWENTY-TWO-A  OF  THE
D.  IT  SHALL  NOT  BE  A  VIOLATION  OF THIS ARTICLE FOR THE STATE TO
PURCHASE OR FUND FIXED OR MOBILE BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES IN A
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA WHERE INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FROM
A SINGLE BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE PROVIDER.
E. AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER THAT PROVIDES FIXED OR  MOBILE  BROAD-
BAND  INTERNET  ACCESS  SERVICE  PURCHASED  OR FUNDED BY THE STATE SHALL
PUBLICLY DISCLOSE ACCURATE INFORMATION REGARDING THE NETWORK  MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES,  PERFORMANCE,  AND COMMERCIAL TERMS OF ITS BROADBAND INTERNET
ACCESS SERVICE THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE END USERS OF THOSE PURCHASED
OR FUNDED SERVICES, INCLUDING THE STATE, TO FULLY AND ACCURATELY  ASCER-
TAIN  IF  THE  SERVICE  IS  CONDUCTED IN A LAWFUL MANNER PURSUANT TO THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAW.
§ 6. The general municipal law is amended  by  adding  a  new  section
104-d to read as follows:
§ 104-D. INTERNET NEUTRALITY. 1. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "BROAD-
BAND  INTERNET  ACCESS  SERVICE,"  "INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER," "NETWORK
MANAGEMENT PRACTICE," AND "REASONABLE NETWORK MANAGEMENT PRACTICE" SHALL
HAVE THE SAME MEANINGS AS DEFINED IN SECTION TWO HUNDRED  FIFTY  OF  THE
2.  A.  A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION SHALL NOT PURCHASE ANY FIXED OR MOBILE
BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES FROM  AN  INTERNET  SERVICE  PROVIDER
THAT  IS IN VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE
OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAW.
B. A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION SHALL NOT PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE  PURCHASE
OF ANY FIXED OR MOBILE BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES FROM AN INTER-
NET  SERVICE  PROVIDER THAT IS IN VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION
TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAW.
3. A. EVERY CONTRACT BETWEEN A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION AND  AN  INTERNET
SERVICE  PROVIDER  FOR  BROADBAND  INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE SHALL REQUIRE
THAT THE SERVICE BE RENDERED CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION
B. IF, AFTER EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT  FOR  BROADBAND  INTERNET  ACCESS
SERVICE,  A  MUNICIPAL  CORPORATION DETERMINES THAT THE INTERNET SERVICE
PROVIDER HAS VIOLATED THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE OF
THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAW IN PROVIDING  SERVICE  TO  THE  MUNICIPAL  CORPO-
RATION, THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION MAY DECLARE THE CONTRACT VOID FROM THE
TIME  IT  WAS ENTERED INTO AND REQUIRE REPAYMENT OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO
THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER PURSUANT TO  THE  CONTRACT.  THE  REMEDIES
AVAILABLE  PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION ARE IN ADDITION TO ANY REMEDY AVAIL-
ABLE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE TWENTY-TWO-A OF THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW.
4. IT SHALL NOT BE A VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE FOR A MUNICIPAL  CORPO-
RATION  TO  PURCHASE  OR  FUND FIXED OR MOBILE BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS
SERVICES IN A GEOGRAPHICAL AREA WHERE INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES ARE  ONLY
AVAILABLE FROM A SINGLE BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE PROVIDER.
5.  AN  INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER THAT PROVIDES FIXED OR MOBILE BROAD-
BAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE PURCHASED OR FUNDED BY A  MUNICIPAL  CORPO-
RATION  SHALL  PUBLICLY  DISCLOSE  ACCURATE  INFORMATION  REGARDING  THE
BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE END USERS
OF  THOSE  PURCHASED  OR  FUNDED  SERVICES, INCLUDING A MUNICIPAL CORPO-
S. 8321                             9
RATION, TO FULLY AND ACCURATELY ASCERTAIN IF THE SERVICE IS CONDUCTED IN
A LAWFUL MANNER PURSUANT  TO  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION  TWO  HUNDRED
§  7.  Subdivision  3 of section 2879 of the public authorities law is
amended by adding a new paragraph (n-1) to read as follows:
(N-1) REQUIREMENTS TO CONDUCT PROCUREMENTS IN A MANNER  THAT  COMPLIES
WITH  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION  TWO  HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE OF THE PUBLIC
§ 8. Section 143 of the economic development law is amended by  adding
5.  EACH  AGENCY  SHALL CONDUCT PROCUREMENTS IN A MANNER THAT COMPLIES
WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION  TWO  HUNDRED  FIFTY-ONE  OF  THE  PUBLIC
§  9.  Severability.  If any provision of this act, or the application
thereof to any person or circumstances, is held invalid  or  unconstitu-
tional,  that  invalidity  or unconstitutionality shall not affect other
provisions or applications of this act that can be given effect  without
the  invalid  or  unconstitutional provision or application, and to this