Ensuring Phone and Internet Access for SNAP Recipients Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-8427
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Luria, Elaine G. [D-VA-2]
Introduced: 2020-09-29
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Food assistance and relief

Government studies and investigations

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-09-29
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Ensuring Phone and Internet Access for SNAP Recipients Act of 2020</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to report on enrollment in the Lifeline program. The Lifeline program is designed to reduce the cost of communications services for low-income consumers, and it allows those consumers to qualify for Lifeline assistance based on their receipt of other federal assistance programs (e.g., Medicaid or Federal Public Housing Assistance).</p> <p>Specifically, the FCC must submit reports on (1) enrollment in the Lifeline program by individuals who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program), and (2) the number of new broadband consumers projected to join the Lifeline program through federal assistance programs and the efficacy of various efforts to advertise the Lifeline program.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8427 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 29, 2020 Mrs. Luria (for herself, Ms. Spanberger , and Mr. Riggleman ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To provide for certain reports on enrollment in the Lifeline program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Phone and Internet Access for SNAP Recipients Act of 2020 . 2. Reports on enrollment in Lifeline program (a) Annual report on enrollment in lifeline program by SNAP participants Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter, the Commission, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall submit to Congress a report on enrollment in the Lifeline program by individuals participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.). (b) Study and report on enrollment in lifeline program Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on— (1) projections of the number of new broadband service consumers who will join the Lifeline program through Federal assistance programs during the 5-year period following the conclusion of the study; and (2) the efficacy of various efforts to advertise the Lifeline program, including data illustrating the effect of such efforts on enrollment in such program. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Broadband service The term broadband service has the meaning given the term broadband internet access service in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. (2) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission.