To modernize funding for community media programming
If enacted, S2771 would significantly alter existing laws surrounding the regulation and funding of streaming services and community media. It lays out a framework for the Department of Revenue to assess and collect payments from streaming entertainment providers, effectively placing a financial obligation on these operators. Furthermore, local governments could establish accounts specifically designated for funds received from these assessments, directing resources to support public, educational, and governmental access media centers, which may enhance local content delivery and community engagement.
Senate Bill S2771 aims to modernize funding for community media programming in Massachusetts by establishing a comprehensive statewide policy concerning compensation for the use of digital infrastructure in public rights-of-way. The bill seeks to address the economic and public interest value of digital infrastructure and to set standards that promote a competitive environment for streaming entertainment services. By imposing assessments on streaming operators based on their gross revenues, the bill intends to ensure fair compensation for municipalities managing these services and to regulate the commercial use of public rights-of-way by streaming operators.
Among the notable points of contention surrounding S2771 is the potential economic burden it may place on streaming operators. Critics argue that the imposed assessments could increase operational costs, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers. Additionally, the bill's provisions grant substantial regulatory authority to the Commonwealth over local governments' ability to manage public rights-of-way. This has raised concerns about the balance of authority between state oversight and local governance, with some legislators advocating for more local control over how streaming services operate within their jurisdictions.