Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022

Bill: 117-hr-4275
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Luria, Elaine G. [D-VA-2]
Introduced: 2021-06-30
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Food assistance and relief

Government studies and investigations

Internet, web applications, social media

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2022-11-17
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-06-30
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Ensuring Phone and Internet Access for SNAP Recipients Act of 2021</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>

action_date: 2022-11-14
action_desc: Reported to House
text: <p><b>Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022</b></p> <p>This bill requires reporting on enrollment in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program.</p> <p>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).</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on outreach and publicity efforts to promote participation in each program.</p>

action_date: 2022-11-17
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><b>Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022</b></p> <p>This bill requires reporting on enrollment in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program.</p> <p>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).</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on outreach and publicity efforts to promote participation in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4275 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 30, 2021 Mrs. Luria (for herself and Mr. Katko ) 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 2021 . 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.

tv_txt: IIB 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4275 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 17, 2022 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation AN ACT 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 Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022 . 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. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4275 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT 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 Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022 . 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. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 396 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4275 [Report No. 117–552] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 30, 2021 Mrs. Luria (for herself and Mr. Katko ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce November 14, 2022 Additional sponsors: Mr. Case and Mr. Neguse November 14, 2022 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on June 30, 2021 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 Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022 . 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.

November 14, 2022 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed