N.Y. Public Service Law § 216: Powers of the commission in respect to cable television companies

§ 216. Powers of the commission in respect to cable television

companies. 1. The commission may promulgate, issue, amend and rescind

such orders, rules and regulations as it may find necessary or

appropriate to carry out the purposes of this article. Such orders,

rules and regulations may classify persons and matters within the

jurisdiction of the commission and prescribe different requirements for

different classes of persons or matters. A copy of any order, rule or

regulations promulgated hereunder shall be subject to public inspection

during reasonable business hours.

2. The commission may require cable television companies to maintain

and file such reports, contracts and statements, including but not

limited to ownership, accounting, auditing and operating statements,

engineering reports and other data as the commission may deem necessary

or appropriate to administer the provisions of this article. The

commission, including members of its staff, may make reasonable

inspections of the records and facilities of any cable television

company.

3. The commission may examine, under oath, all officers, agents,

employees and stockholders of any cable television company, municipal

officials and any other persons and compel the production of papers and

the attendance of witnesses to obtain the information necessary to

administer the provisions of this article.

4. (a) The commission may require and receive from any agency of the

state or any political subdivision thereof such assistance and data as

may be necessary to enable the commission to administer the provisions

of this article.

(b) The commission may enter into such cooperative arrangements with

the board of regents, the council on the arts, other state agencies and

municipalities, each of which is hereby authorized to enter into such

cooperative arrangements, as shall be necessary or appropriate to assure

that there will be maximum utilization of existing expertise in

communications technology, cable television operations and programming

and that the purposes of this article will be effectively accomplished.

Upon request of the commission, any state agency may transfer to the

commission such officers and employees as the commission may deem

necessary from time to time to assist the commission in carrying out its

functions and duties. Officers and employees so transferred shall not

lose their civil service status or rights.

5. The commission shall have and may exercise all other powers

necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this article.