Bill > A02024

This bill establishes the New York State Rural Mobile Communications Fund, a special fund designed to improve cellular service in rural areas with low or no coverage. The fund will receive revenues from a specific tax source and will be jointly managed by the state comptroller and commissioner of taxation and finance. The monies collected will be used to provide grants to rural areas, as defined by the agriculture and markets law, with a particular emphasis on locations with public safety concerns due to lack of cellular service. Specifically, the bill redirects 41.7% of revenues from a certain tax collection that was previously going to the state general fund into this new dedicated rural mobile communications fund. The grants aim to increase cellular coverage in areas that currently have minimal or no mobile service, which can be critical for emergency communications and community connectivity. The bill will take effect on the first day of January following its enactment, with preparatory administrative actions allowed immediately upon passage.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2024