Bill > H91

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for regulating and collecting assessments from streaming entertainment services operating in Massachusetts, with the primary goal of supporting public, educational, and governmental (PEG) access media centers. The legislation creates a new chapter in state law defining streaming entertainment services as paid digital entertainment services delivered through public rights-of-way, and requires operators earning over $250,000 annually to pay an assessment based on their gross revenues. A PEG Access Facilities Revenue Advisory Board will be established to collect industry data and recommend an annual assessment rate that ensures PEG access facilities maintain their historical revenue levels. Streaming entertainment operators must submit bi-annual financial statements and pay assessments, with penalties for non-compliance. The bill establishes a Streaming Entertainment Fund to collect and distribute these revenues, and allows the Attorney General and local governments to take legal action against non-compliant operators. Additionally, the bill allows municipalities to create separate revenue accounts to receive and use these funds specifically for supporting access media centers. The assessment mechanism is designed to modernize funding for community media programming by capturing revenue from newer digital entertainment services, ensuring that local media centers can continue to operate and serve their communities.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H91