NJ A1470

Bill

Requires CATV companies to provide free broadband Internet service and associated equipment to public libraries and, under certain circumstances, other municipal buildings.

Introduced
01/09/2024

In Committee
01/09/2024

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires a cable television (CATV) company that is applying for or renewing a municipal franchise to provide free Internet service, including routers or other necessary equipment, to at least one public library in the municipality served by the CATV company. The free Internet service requirement is to take effect as part of any new or renewed municipal franchise agreement that is issued or approved by the Board of Public Utilities after the effective date of the bill. The bill also requires a CATV company to provide the public library with a business customer class Internet access bandwidth and circuit capacity proportional to the public library's needs. Further, the bill require a CATV company that is applying for or renewing system-wide franchise to provide free Internet service, including a router or other necessary equipment, to all municipal buildings in a municipality served by that CATV company. The free Internet service provided to a public library by a CATV company that is a system-wide franchise shall have a business customer class Internet access bandwidth and circuit capacity proportional to the public library's needs.

AI Summary

This bill requires cable television (CATV) companies that are applying for or renewing a municipal or system-wide franchise to provide free high-speed internet service, including necessary equipment, to public libraries and, in some cases, other municipal buildings. The free internet service must have a business-class bandwidth and capacity proportional to the library's needs. This requirement applies to any new or renewed franchise agreement issued or approved by the Board of Public Utilities after the effective date of the bill.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (1)

Robert Karabinchak (D)*,

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A1470

(3 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A1470
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A1500/1470_I1.HTM

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
A3135	Requires CATV companies to provide free broadband Internet service and associated equipment to public libraries and, under certain circumstances, other municipal buildings.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee	Carry Over
S1226	Requires CATV companies to provide free broadband Internet service and associated equipment to public libraries and, under certain circumstances, other municipal buildings.	Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee	Carry Over
S2655	Requires CATV companies to provide free broadband Internet service and associated equipment to public libraries and, under certain circumstances, other municipal buildings.	Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee	Same As

Bill > A1470

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary