Bill > H106

This bill establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for streaming entertainment services in Massachusetts, creating a new system for assessing and collecting fees from streaming operators that earn over $250,000 annually. The bill imposes a 5% assessment on gross revenues from streaming services, requiring operators to submit bi-annual financial statements to the Department of Revenue and establishing a Streaming Entertainment Fund. The fund will distribute revenues with 20% going to the Commonwealth General Fund, 40% allocated to municipalities proportionally based on population, and 40% distributed to community media centers. The legislation includes detailed provisions for penalties for late or incomplete financial reporting, auditing rights for the state, and allows the Attorney General and local governments to take legal action against non-compliant streaming entertainment operators. The bill aims to create a competitive environment for streaming services while ensuring that local communities benefit from the commercial use of public digital infrastructure. Municipalities that accept the provision can establish a separate revenue account specifically for PEG (Public, Educational, and Governmental) Access and Streaming Entertainment Funds, which can only be used to support local media centers. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2025, and represents a novel approach to regulating and generating revenue from streaming entertainment services at the state level.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H106