NY State Senate Bill S3599

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Introduced
In Committee
On Floor Calendar
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
Delivered to Governor
Signed/Vetoed by Governor

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Actions

view actions (11)

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 22, 2020	reported and committed to finance
Jan 08, 2020	referred to energy and telecommunications returned to senate died in assembly
May 29, 2019	referred to corporations, authorities and commissions delivered to assembly passed senate
Mar 14, 2019	advanced to third reading
Mar 13, 2019	2nd report cal.
Mar 12, 2019	1st report cal.266
Feb 11, 2019	referred to energy and telecommunications

Votes

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Jan 22, 2020 - Energy and Telecommunications committee Vote

S3599

committee

Aye

Nay

Aye with Reservations

Absent

Excused

Abstained

show Energy and Telecommunications committee vote details

Energy and Telecommunications Committee Vote: Jan 22, 2020

aye (7)

nay (2)

Funke
Ortt

May 29, 2019 - floor Vote

S3599

floor

Aye

Nay

Absent

Excused

Abstained

Mar 12, 2019 - Energy and Telecommunications committee Vote

S3599

committee

Aye

Nay

Aye with Reservations

Absent

Excused

Abstained

show Energy and Telecommunications committee vote details

Energy and Telecommunications Committee Vote: Mar 12, 2019

aye (6)

nay (2)

Funke
Ortt

aye wr (1)

Ritchie

Co-Sponsors

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S3599 (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A4590
Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §92-i, Pub Serv L; add §99-ff, St Fin L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S6392, A9233
2013-2014: S708, A2916
2015-2016: S1167, A369
2017-2018: S3274, A2125
2021-2022: S2924, A3144
2023-2024: S4932, A3734

S3599 (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.

S3599 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

 
BILL NUMBER: S3599

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 92-1
states that the electronic information service, which is defined in the
legislation, shall be provided by a qualified and registered not-forpro-
fit 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:

2017/18 S3274A - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
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.

S3599 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf


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

                                  3599

                       2019-2020 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            February 11, 2019
                               ___________

Introduced  by Sens. PARKER, ADDABBO, CARLUCCI, COMRIE, GRIFFO, KENNEDY,
  MONTGOMERY, RANZENHOFER, SAVINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and
  when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommu-
  nications

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.
                                                           LBD04954-01-9

S. 3599                             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-ff to
read as follows:
  § 99-FF. 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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The New York State Senate

senate Bill S3599

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

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Votes

Jan 22, 2020 - Energy and Telecommunications committee Vote

Energy and Telecommunications Committee Vote: Jan 22, 2020

May 29, 2019 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: May 29, 2019

Mar 12, 2019 - Energy and Telecommunications committee Vote

Energy and Telecommunications Committee Vote: Mar 12, 2019

Co-Sponsors

S3599 (ACTIVE) - Details

S3599 (ACTIVE) - Summary

S3599 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

S3599 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

senate Bill S3599

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Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Your Voice

Actions

Votes

Jan 22, 2020 - Energy and Telecommunications committee Vote

Energy and Telecommunications Committee Vote: Jan 22, 2020

May 29, 2019 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: May 29, 2019

Mar 12, 2019 - Energy and Telecommunications committee Vote

Energy and Telecommunications Committee Vote: Mar 12, 2019

Co-Sponsors

S3599 (ACTIVE) - Details

S3599 (ACTIVE) - Summary

S3599 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

S3599 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments