Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced
Summary
Boost Lifeline enrollment and tie State benefit records into the federal verifier. This bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission to create two grant programs: one to fund state outreach that notifies people who are eligible but not enrolled in Lifeline, and another to fund connections between State benefit databases and the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier so benefit receipt can be used to verify Lifeline eligibility.
Show full summary
- Low-income individuals and households: Grants fund outreach that informs eligible people, including dependents and household members, about Lifeline eligibility and how to apply. States must estimate the percentage of eligible-but-not-enrolled people they expect to reach.
- States and Tribal governments: Applicants must report the number of covered individuals, a plan of activities, and partner agencies. The FCC must award grants to at least 25% of applicant States and give preference to States with more covered individuals or higher projected reach.
- Program operations and benefit verification: A separate grant program would pay to establish or maintain links between State benefit databases and the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier so receipt of benefits, including SNAP, shows up for Lifeline checks. Eligible States that apply quickly can receive funds disbursed within 120 days of program setup.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Link state benefits to Lifeline
If enacted, the FCC would give grants to States to link State benefit records to the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier so benefit receipt can verify Lifeline eligibility. States would need to apply within 30 days after enactment to be eligible. The FCC would establish the program within 90 days and disburse grant funds within 120 days after the program starts. The grant authority is funded by "such sums as may be necessary," and the grants would make it easier for SNAP and other benefit recipients to prove Lifeline eligibility.
Rules and reporting for Lifeline grants
If enacted, the FCC would issue rules to run the Lifeline outreach grant program within 30 days after enactment. Those rules and related information collections would be exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act. Within three years after the program starts, the FCC would report to Congress on how many people were notified, how many new applicants and enrollments came from grant States, and the program's cost-effectiveness. Violations of these rules would be enforced under the Communications Act.
State grants to boost Lifeline enrollment
If enacted, the FCC would run a competitive grant program to help States find and inform people who qualify for Lifeline but are not enrolled. State applications would need to show the number of covered individuals, a plan and participating State agencies, and an estimate of the share of eligible-but-not-enrolled people the State expects to reach. The FCC would fund at least 25% of States that apply and give favorable consideration to States with more covered people or stronger plans, and it would try to pick States from different regions. Grant funds would be used to tell covered people and service organizations how to apply, explain the one-subscriber-per-household rule, and partner with nonprofits; funding is 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
Amy Klobuchar
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