Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 4095
116th Congress(2019-2020)
Emergency Broadband Connections Act of 2020
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Jun 29, 2020
Overview
Text
Sponsor
Introduced
Jun 29, 2020
Latest Action
Jun 29, 2020
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
4095
Congress
116
Policy Area
Science, Technology, Communications
Science, Technology, Communications
Primary focus of measure is natural sciences, space exploration, research policy and funding, research and development, STEM education, scientific cooperation and communication; technology policies, telecommunication, information technology; digital media, journalism. Measures concerning scientific education may fall under Education policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Oregon
Democrat
Alabama
Democrat
California
Democrat
Illinois
Democrat
Maryland
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Minnesota
Democrat
Minnesota
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
New Mexico
Democrat
New Mexico
Democrat
Rhode Island
Democrat
Washington
Democrat
Wisconsin
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Emergency Broadband Connections Act of 2020

This bill establishes an emergency broadband benefit for certain households during the emergency period related to COVID-19, and it modifies the Lifeline program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which reduces the cost of communications services for low-income consumers.

Specifically, the bill requires a broadband service provider to provide a low-income household, upon request, with broadband internet service at a price that is discounted in an amount equal to the emergency broadband benefit for such household. The emergency broadband benefit is a monthly discount that is applied to the normal or special rate for internet service. Further, the bill establishes the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund from which the FCC shall reimburse a provider in an amount equal to the emergency broadband benefit provided to a household. Providers that supply discounted connected devices (e.g., computers) to eligible households may also receive certain reimbursements from the fund.

The bill requires service providers participating in the FCC's Lifeline program to provide an unlimited number of minutes and data during the emergency period. The bill also requires the FCC to make a grant to each state for connecting the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) database to the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, so that receipt of SNAP benefits is reflected in the Lifeline verifier. The verifier determines consumer eligibility for the Lifeline program, and receipt of SNAP benefits automatically qualifies a household for Lifeline service.

Text (1)
Actions (2)
06/29/2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
06/29/2020
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:46:07 PM