Legis Daily

Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4438| Senate 
| Updated: 4/29/2026
Richard J. Durbin

Richard J. Durbin

Democratic Senator

Illinois

Cosponsors (5)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026" aims to enhance enrollment in the Lifeline program by establishing two distinct grant programs administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These initiatives are designed to increase awareness among eligible individuals and improve the efficiency of the eligibility verification process for broadband assistance. The first program offers competitive grants to States to conduct targeted outreach to individuals who are eligible for, or potentially eligible for, the Lifeline program but are not yet enrolled. States receiving these funds must inform individuals about their potential eligibility, provide clear instructions on how to apply, and partner with community-based organizations to offer direct application assistance and information on product choices. The FCC will prioritize grant awards to States with a higher number of covered individuals and those demonstrating a greater potential to reach eligible-but-not-enrolled individuals. The second program provides grants to States specifically for strengthening the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier . These funds are intended to help States establish, renew, or maintain connections between their existing benefit databases, such as those for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the national verifier system. This integration will allow for more accurate and efficient verification of an individual's Lifeline eligibility based on their participation in other State-administered assistance programs. The bill mandates that the FCC promulgate regulations for the outreach grant program within 30 days and establish the verifier grant program within 90 days of enactment. Furthermore, it requires the FCC to submit a report to Congress within three years, evaluating the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of the outreach grant program.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2545
Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1102
Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3024
Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2023
Apr 29, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-8576
Introduced in House
Apr 29, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Apr 29, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Apr 29, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S2131-2132)
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2545
    Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1102
    Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3024
    Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2023


  • April 29, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-8576
    Introduced in House


  • April 29, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 29, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • April 29, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S2131-2132)

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 119-8576: Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026

Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4438| Senate 
| Updated: 4/29/2026
The "Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026" aims to enhance enrollment in the Lifeline program by establishing two distinct grant programs administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These initiatives are designed to increase awareness among eligible individuals and improve the efficiency of the eligibility verification process for broadband assistance. The first program offers competitive grants to States to conduct targeted outreach to individuals who are eligible for, or potentially eligible for, the Lifeline program but are not yet enrolled. States receiving these funds must inform individuals about their potential eligibility, provide clear instructions on how to apply, and partner with community-based organizations to offer direct application assistance and information on product choices. The FCC will prioritize grant awards to States with a higher number of covered individuals and those demonstrating a greater potential to reach eligible-but-not-enrolled individuals. The second program provides grants to States specifically for strengthening the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier . These funds are intended to help States establish, renew, or maintain connections between their existing benefit databases, such as those for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the national verifier system. This integration will allow for more accurate and efficient verification of an individual's Lifeline eligibility based on their participation in other State-administered assistance programs. The bill mandates that the FCC promulgate regulations for the outreach grant program within 30 days and establish the verifier grant program within 90 days of enactment. Furthermore, it requires the FCC to submit a report to Congress within three years, evaluating the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of the outreach grant program.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2545
Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1102
Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3024
Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2023
Apr 29, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-8576
Introduced in House
Apr 29, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Apr 29, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Apr 29, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S2131-2132)
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2545
    Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1102
    Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3024
    Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2023


  • April 29, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-8576
    Introduced in House


  • April 29, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 29, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • April 29, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S2131-2132)
Richard J. Durbin

Richard J. Durbin

Democratic Senator

Illinois

Cosponsors (5)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 119-8576: Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted