Legislation4 days ago
50
To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers.
HR8548Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37] (D-CA)
introduced
S1651119th CongressWALLET
Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Markwayne Mullin
Introduced
Summary
Expands Universal Service Fund contributions to include broadband and edge providers. This bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission to change how the Universal Service Fund is funded, create a new targeted high-cost support tool for carriers, and set rules and exemptions meant to make contributions more equitable and help lower consumer broadband prices.
Show full summary
- Families and consumers: Would aim to reduce broadband bills by shifting some USF costs onto a broader set of companies rather than only end users.
- Broadband and edge providers: Would be added to the USF contribution base, but edge providers that carry less than 3 percent of U.S. broadband data or earn under $5 billion in U.S. revenue would be exempt; other de minimis exemptions are allowed.
- Eligible telecommunications carriers: Would receive a new, specific high-cost support mechanism for certain expenses, with a limit of no more than one carrier per area getting that support.
- FCC and enforcement: Would require an initial FCC rulemaking within 18 months and lets the agency enforce the rules using its existing Communications Act powers.
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New charges for internet and online platforms
If enacted, the FCC would have 18 months to require broadband providers and online "edge" services to contribute to the Universal Service Fund. The rules would aim to make contributions fair and nondiscriminatory. Some providers could be exempt: an edge provider that sent less than 3 percent of U.S. broadband data last year and made under $5 billion in U.S. revenue. The FCC could also exempt any provider whose required payment would be de minimis. The FCC would enforce the rules using its existing Communications Act powers. The bill would say the FCC gets no new authority over broadband providers and only limited authority over edge providers.
New funding for carriers in high-cost areas
If enacted, the FCC would have 18 months to create a new high-cost support program that gives specific, predictable support to eligible telecom carriers (ETCs). The support would pay costs the carrier does not recover from customer rates or other universal service programs. The FCC must ensure no more than one ETC per area receives support from this mechanism.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Markwayne Mullin
OK • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Mike Crapo
ID • R
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Kevin Cramer
ND • R
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Josh Hawley
MO • R
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
ID • R
Sponsored 3/23/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in