# 119-hr-8576: Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026

119-hr-8576, Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2] (D-IL); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8576
- As of: 2026-09-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-8576
- Congress: 119
- Title: Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-04-29
- Sponsor: Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2] (D-IL)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-21

## Summary

**Expand Lifeline enrollment and speed eligibility checks.** This bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission to create two grant programs: one to fund State outreach to find and enroll eligible-but-not-enrolled people and one to help States link benefit databases to the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier. - Low-income households and families would get targeted outreach and help applying for Lifeline through State partnerships with nonprofits and community groups. Outreach must include how to apply and a clear notice about the rule that only one Lifeline subscriber is allowed per household. - States, the District of Columbia, territories, possessions, and federally recognized Indian Tribes could apply for outreach grants and for grants to connect their benefit databases to the national verifier. The FCC would be required to award outreach grants to at least 25 percent of States that apply and aim for geographic diversity in awards. - The FCC would face quick implementation deadlines: outreach program rules within 30 days, establishment of the verifier-connection grant program within 90 days, and funds disbursed within 120 days after the verifier program is set up. The FCC would also have to report to Congress within three years on how many people were notified, how many new applicants or enrollees resulted, and the program's cost-effectiveness.

## Provisions PRIA read

- Connect state benefits to Lifeline verifier: benefit, low. If enacted, the FCC would create a grant program to pay States to link their benefit databases to the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier. States that apply within 30 days after enactment would be eligible, the FCC would set up the program within 90 days, and grant funds would be sent within 120…
- More Lifeline outreach for low-income households: benefit, low. If enacted, the FCC would set up a competitive grant program to pay States and Tribes to notify people who qualify for Lifeline but are not enrolled. The FCC would have to write rules within 30 days and must give grants to at least 25% of States that apply. States getting money would be required to…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-3971: Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act
- 119-hr-3069: Medicare for All Act
- 119-hr-2725: Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-hr-8576 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8576)

## Related
- [119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9877)
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-3971: Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3971)
- [119-hr-3069: Medicare for All Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3069)
- [119-hr-2725: Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2725)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8576 (as of 2026-09-21).