Lower Internet Costs Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would require broadband bills and ads to show a single, clear aggregate price. It would also bar certain add-on charges labeled as "covered fees."
Show full summary
- Households would get a one-line total price on bills and clearer promotional pricing so monthly costs are easier to compare and the post‑introductory price and location-specific totals must be disclosed.
- Customers buying bundled services would see the broadband-specific charge spelled out and the ban on covered fees would apply across bundled services.
- Broadband providers would need to stop passing along listed "covered fees" such as state cost recovery charges, network access or maintenance fees, local right-of-way fees, and tech‑support fees, and the Federal Communications Commission would have 90 days to write implementing rules.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Internet customers: clear prices, fee ban
If enacted, the FCC would issue rules within 90 days. Internet providers would have to show one clear total price on your bill and in ads when a price is shown; they could add itemized details only as extra info, and the total could exclude taxes, some admin fees, and equipment fees. Providers could not charge certain add-on fees, including state cost-recovery, network maintenance/access, local right-of-way, tech-support/repair, or similar fees. For intro prices, you would get 60- and 30-day bill notices before it ends; ads must show the later price, how long it lasts, and how to find your location-specific price if it varies. For bundles, the broadband part would have a clear total and the fee ban would cover all services in the bundle; ad rules would not apply to old plans no longer sold.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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