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Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2023
12/15/2023, 4:09 PM
Summary of Bill S 3024
One of the key provisions of the bill is the establishment of a grant program to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure in underserved and rural areas. This program would provide funding to internet service providers to expand their networks and improve access to high-speed internet for residents in these areas.
Additionally, the bill includes measures to promote competition in the broadband market and increase transparency in pricing and service offerings. It also seeks to improve data collection on broadband availability and adoption to better understand the scope of the digital divide and inform future policy decisions. Overall, the Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2023 aims to bridge the gap in access to high-speed internet services and ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to fully participate in the digital economy.
Congressional Summary of S 3024
Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2023
This bill establishes grant programs to facilitate enrollment in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program. (These programs subsidize telecommunications services for eligible, low-income individuals and households.)
Specifically, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must award competitive grants to states, territories, or tribes for informing Medicaid enrollees, recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and other low-income individuals about their potential eligibility for the programs.
The FCC must also award grants to states, territories, and tribes to facilitate data sharing for verifying eligibility for the programs. Recipients must use the grants to establish or maintain connections between (1) their databases that contain information about residents who receive benefits administered by the recipient, and (2) the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier (a centralized system that verifies and annually recertifies Lifeline applicants' eligibility for the program).
