H 4631 Massachusetts House · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act to modernize funding for community media programming

This bill creates a new legal framework to require large streaming entertainment companies to pay fees to the state for using public roads and infrastructure to deliver their services. It defines "streaming entertainment operators" as companies earning more than $250,000 annually in Massachusetts and establishes a new advisory board to calculate fair payment rates that help fund public access television channels. The legislation gives the state authority to collect these assessments and enforce penalties for non-compliance while explicitly stating that the state cannot regulate the prices streaming companies charge their customers.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced May 13, 2024 Last action May 13, 2024
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
2
Committee
2
May 13, 2024
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
May 13, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported from the committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity
lower
0 primary · 80 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.