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.

3/8/2023, 7:58 PM

Summary of Bill HR 1721

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.

Congressional Summary of HR 1721

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.

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Current Status of Bill HR 1721

Bill HR 1721 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since March 9, 2021. Bill HR 1721 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on March 9, 2021. Bill HR 1721's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations. as of May 21, 2021

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 1721

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 1721

Primary Policy Focus

Science, Technology, Communications

Potential Impact Areas

- Cardiovascular and respiratory health

- Emergency medical services and trauma care

- Food assistance and relief

- Government information and archives

- Government trust funds

- Indian social and development programs

- Infectious and parasitic diseases

- Internet and video services

- Internet, web applications, social media

- Telecommunication rates and fees

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 1721

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.