To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to authorize additional funds for the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund, to provide grants to States and Tribal Entities to strengthen the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, to provide for Federal coordination between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse, and for other purposes.

This bill makes changes to facilitate data sharing between the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and programs that subsidize communication services to verify eligibility for applicable programs.

Specifically, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must award grants to states and tribes for establishing or modifying connections between databases with information regarding benefit programs (e.g., SNAP) and the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier to verify eligibility for the Lifeline program (which subsidizes telephone and internet services for low-income individuals) and the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (which subsidizes broadband services for those who suffered income loss during the COVID-19 pandemic and other eligible households). The bill also reauthorizes through FY2026 the fund that supports the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.

In addition, the FCC must establish an automated connection to share data between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse for SNAP. The FCC must coordinate with the Department of Agriculture to establish the connection.

Bill 117 hr 1721, also known as the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund Enhancement Act, seeks to amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 in order to allocate more funds to the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund. This fund aims to provide financial assistance to low-income households in need of affordable internet access.

Additionally, the bill proposes to provide grants to States and Tribal Entities to enhance the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier. This verifier is a system used to determine eligibility for the Lifeline program, which offers discounted phone and internet services to low-income individuals.

Furthermore, the legislation calls for Federal coordination between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse. This coordination aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of verifying eligibility for the Lifeline program. Overall, the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund Enhancement Act aims to expand access to affordable internet services for low-income households and improve the effectiveness of the Lifeline program through enhanced coordination and funding.