Bill
Bill > A3912
NJ A3912
NJ A3912Requires CATV companies to provide free broadband Internet service and associated equipment to public libraries and, under certain circumstances, other municipal buildings.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 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, when applying for or renewing a municipal franchise or a system-wide franchise, to provide free broadband Internet service and necessary equipment like routers to public libraries. For system-wide franchises, this free service will extend to all municipal buildings, and for both types of franchises, the Internet service provided to public libraries must have business-class bandwidth and capacity suitable for their needs. This requirement takes effect for any new or renewed franchise agreements approved after the bill becomes law.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A3912 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4000/3912_I1.HTM |
Loading...