Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2021
Latest action (13 Apr 2021): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 1102, the Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2021, would direct the Federal Communications Commission to create a competitive grant program for states to help inform eligible individuals about the Lifeline program, which provides discounted phone and internet service to low-income consumers. States could apply for grants by submitting information on the number of covered individuals, an outreach plan, and estimates of how many eligible-but-unenrolled residents the plan would reach. The FCC would be required to award grants to at least five states, favoring those with larger eligible populations and outreach plans likely to reach more people, while also seeking geographic diversity among recipients.
The bill primarily affects Medicaid enrollees, participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other low-income residents (those at or below 135% of the federal poverty level) who may qualify for Lifeline but are not enrolled. States, including U.S. territories and federally recognized tribes, would receive funding to conduct outreach, partner with nonprofit and community organizations, and help these individuals apply for and understand the program.
The FCC would need to notify states about the grant program before accepting applications, and within three years of establishing the program, report to Congress on its effectiveness, including enrollment numbers and cost-effectiveness. Appropriations would be authorized for five years after the program's creation. The bill was introduced April 13, 2021, and referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; it did not receive a vote before the end of the 117th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2021
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a grant program to provide states with resources to inform their residents who are Medicaid enrollees, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants, or low-income individuals about the FCC's Lifeline program. The Lifeline program is designed to reduce the cost of communications services for low-income consumers.
Common questions
- What does S. 1102 do?
- S. 1102, the Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2021, would direct the Federal Communications Commission to create a competitive grant program for states to help inform eligible individuals about the Lifeline program, which provides discounted phone and internet service to low-income consumers. States could apply for grants by submitting information on the number of covered individuals, an outreach plan, and estimates of how many eligible-but-unenrolled residents the plan would reach. The FCC would be required to award grants to at least five states, favoring those with larger eligible populations and outreach plans likely to reach more people, while also seeking geographic diversity among recipients. The bill primarily affects Medicaid enrollees, participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other low-income residents (those at or below 135% of the federal poverty level) who may qualify for Lifeline but are not enrolled. States, including U.S. territories and federally recognized tribes, would receive funding to conduct outreach, partner with nonprofit and community organizations, and help these individuals apply for and understand the program. The FCC would need to notify states about the grant program before accepting applications, and within three years of establishing the program, report to Congress on its effectiveness, including enrollment numbers and cost-effectiveness. Appropriations would be authorized for five years after the program's creation. The bill was introduced April 13, 2021, and referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; it did not receive a vote before the end of the 117th Congress.
- Has S. 1102 become law?
- Not yet. As of 13 Apr 2021, S. 1102 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 1102?
- S. 1102 was sponsored by Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL] (Democrat-IL), with 6 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1102?
- Introduced (13 Apr 2021).
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