REAPPLY Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-3621
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Russell, Steve [R-OK-5]
Introduced: 2017-07-28
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Telecommunication rates and fees

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2017-08-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-07-28
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Rechecking Eligibility of Applicants to the Lifeline Program to Prevent Losses Yearly Act of 2017 or the REAPPLY Act of 2017</strong></p> <p>This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission to require telecommunications carriers that provide Lifeline services to require Lifeline subscribers to re-apply for the service every 12 months&nbsp;in order for the carriers to receive federal reimbursement for providing&nbsp;such services. (Lifeline is the federal government program to provide telecommunications services to low-income individuals. Current federal regulations require telecommunications carriers to annually&nbsp;certify that&nbsp;their Lifeline subscribers are still eligible for the service.)&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3621 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 28, 2017 Mr. Russell introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To require subscribers to services supported through the Lifeline program of the Federal Communications Commission to reapply for such services on an annual basis.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Rechecking Eligibility of Applicants to the Lifeline Program to Prevent Losses Yearly Act of 2017 or the REAPPLY Act of 2017 . 2. Annual reapplication for Lifeline services Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall amend subpart E of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, so as to prohibit a provider of a Lifeline service from seeking or receiving reimbursement for providing such service to a subscriber unless, on an annual basis— (1) such subscriber submits an application for such service in the same manner, and subject to the same requirements, as in the case of an initial application for such service; and (2) the eligibility of such subscriber to receive such service is determined and certified in the same manner, and subject to the same requirements, as in the case of the initial such determination and certification.