NY Passes Fast Web Study Bill; Michigan Democrats Seek to Regulate
New York legislators passed a state bill seeking a broadband availability study. A-6679 would direct the Public Service Commission to ask the public rather than rely completely on FCC availability data submitted by companies (see 2007130066). The Senate passed the…
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bill Wednesday after the Assembly supported it 141-0 Monday. “On to the Governor's desk,” tweeted sponsor Assemblyman Sean Ryan (D). Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) will review the bill, a spokesperson said Thursday. In Michigan, where Republicans control both legislative bodies, 18 Democrats floated a bill Wednesday to regulate broadband. HB-5949 by Rep. Darrin Camilleri would amend the Michigan Telecom Act to give the PSC “jurisdiction and authority to regulate all providers of broadband service.” The agency would make rules on “billing transparency, pricing, service quality, dispute resolution, nondiscriminatory treatment, service for vulnerable populations, and discontinuance of service,” and could respond to violations by revoking licenses or issuing cease and desist orders. The Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association "opposes any legislation that attempts to regulate the Internet at the state level," which "would have a chilling effect on investment, which would ultimately harm consumers," an MCTA spokesperson emailed Thursday. AT&T didn’t comment.