Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022
Bill: H.R.4275 | Sponsor: Rep. Luria, Elaine G. (D-VA)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022
This bill requires reporting on enrollment in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program.
The Lifeline program is designed to reduce the cost of communications services for low-income consumers, and the Affordable Connectivity Program subsidizes the cost of broadband internet for low-income households. Both programs allow participants to qualify for assistance based on their participation in particular federal assistance programs (e.g., Medicaid or Federal Public Housing Assistance).
The Federal Communications Commission must report on enrollment in both programs, including the number of participants who qualify through each of the particular federal assistance programs.
Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on outreach and publicity efforts to promote participation in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program.

To provide for certain reports on enrollment in the Lifeline program, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Ensuring Phone and Internet Access 
Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022''.

SEC. 2. REPORTS ON ENROLLMENT IN CERTAIN PROGRAMS.

    (a) Annual Report on Enrollment in Lifeline and Affordable 
Connectivity Programs Through Qualifying Programs.--Not later than 1 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually 
thereafter for 2 calendar years after the calendar year during which 
the first report is submitted under this subsection, the Commission 
shall submit to Congress a report on--
            (1) enrollment in the Lifeline program by individuals 
        participating in each of the Lifeline qualifying programs, 
        broken out by each of the Lifeline qualifying programs, to the 
        extent the Commission holds or has access to the necessary data 
        relating to such enrollment; and
            (2) enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program by 
        individuals participating in each of the Affordable 
        Connectivity Program qualifying programs, broken out by each of 
        the Affordable Connectivity Program qualifying programs, to the 
        extent the Commission holds or has access to the necessary data 
        relating to such enrollment.
    (b) GAO Study and Report on Efforts to Promote Enrollment in 
Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs.--Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 
the United States shall submit a report to Congress identifying 
outreach and publicity efforts to promote participation and enrollment 
in the Lifeline program and, separately, the Affordable Connectivity 
Program.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Affordable connectivity program qualifying program.--
        The term ``Affordable Connectivity Program qualifying program'' 
        means the programs set forth in paragraphs (1), (3), (4), and 
        (6) of section 54.1800(j) of title 47, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, or any successor regulation.
            (2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal 
        Communications Commission.
            (3) Lifeline qualifying program.--The term ``Lifeline 
        qualifying program'' means the programs set forth in 
        subsections (a)(2) and (b) of section 54.409 of title 47, Code 
        of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 17, 2022.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
117th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 4275

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