S4561A

Senate Print 4561A, sponsored by Sen. Gonzalez and amending the Social Services Law, was laid aside during floor consideration on Calendar Number 1743. Sen. Lanza requested the procedural action, which was granted by Acting President Bailey. No debate or vote occurred.

The New York State Senate passed legislation requiring temporary housing units to provide high-speed broadband access to residents, with the ConnectALL program funding the service. The bill (S4561A, Calendar No. 1743), sponsored by Sen. Gonzalez, passed 44-18 on a party-line vote, with Republicans largely opposed. The measure would allow shelters, runaway youth programs, and hotels serving as temporary housing for formerly incarcerated individuals and those in need of emergency shelter to apply for reimbursement through the state's $1.2 billion ConnectALL broadband program. The bill includes a two-year opt-in period and no punitive measures for facilities unable to provide service. Sen. Borrello, the leading opponent, argued the bill lacks guardrails and would allow commercial hotels to receive perpetual taxpayer subsidies for broadband costs simply by housing temporary assistance clients, diverting funds from rural broadband infrastructure expansion where only 65 percent of New Yorkers have high-speed access. Sen. Gonzalez countered that broadband has become essential for unhoused individuals to access jobs, education, and services, and that New York City already has a similar mandate. She emphasized that only costs for temporarily housed residents would be reimbursed and subject to state review for reasonableness. Sen. Parker voted in favor, calling broadband as essential as electricity and water for vulnerable populations.