PRIA Logo™
119-s-4438119th CongressWALLET

Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Introduced

Summary

Expand Lifeline access and strengthen verification. This bill would create two Federal Communications Commission grant programs: one to fund state outreach so eligible low-income households learn about Lifeline and another to connect household-benefit databases to the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier.

Show full summary
  • Low-income and covered individuals would get more targeted outreach and hands-on help applying through state grants and nonprofit partnerships.
  • States and federally recognized Indian Tribes could receive competitive outreach and verifier grants. The FCC must award outreach grants to at least 25% of submitting States and outreach funding is authorized for the first five full fiscal years.
  • Nonprofit and community groups can partner with States to run outreach and assist with applications. Verifier grants would link benefits such as SNAP to the national verifier to help confirm eligibility and reduce duplicate Lifeline subsidies.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Faster Lifeline verification for SNAP

If enacted, the FCC would have to set up a grant program within 90 days so States can link household benefit records (including SNAP) to the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier. A State would be eligible if it applied within 30 days after enactment. The FCC would have to send each State its grant money within 120 days after the program starts. The section would be funded with "such sums as may be necessary."

More Lifeline outreach for low-income

If enacted, the FCC would run a competitive grant program to pay States to tell covered individuals that they may qualify for Lifeline and to help them apply. States would have to include how many covered individuals they can reach, which State agencies will help, and an estimate of the percent of eligible-but-not-enrolled people they would contact. The FCC would award grants to at least 25% of applicant States and, to the extent practicable, pick States from different regions. Grant money would pay for outreach, application assistance, partnerships with nonprofits, and information about the one-subscriber-per-household rule. The FCC would issue rules within 30 days and report to Congress within 3 years on notifications, new applications and enrollments, and cost-effectiveness. Funding would be authorized for the first five full fiscal years after the program starts.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation