Bill · H.R. 8576· House(119-HR-8576)
Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 4/29/2026
- Last activity
- 4/29/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Robin Kelly
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026" directs the Federal Communications Commission to create a competitive grant program for States to increase awareness of the Lifeline program. These funds are intended to inform low-income individuals and those potentially eligible about how to apply for and use Lifeline benefits. The bill also establishes a grant program to help States connect their benefit databases with the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier. This connection is designed to streamline the verification of program eligibility through household benefit information.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill increases awareness and eases the application process for the Lifeline program for low-income families.
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+5
The bill promotes digital inclusion by providing grants to states to inform low-income individuals about the Lifeline broadband program.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+3
The bill includes Indian Tribes as eligible entities for the grant program to assist their members with broadband access.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Program Awareness: States can use grant funds to inform "covered individuals" about their potential eligibility for the Lifeline program and provide information on how to apply (Section 2(e)(1)).
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Direct Assistance for Digital Inclusion: Grant recipients can partner with nonprofit and community-based organizations to provide individuals with assistance in applying for Lifeline and information regarding technology choices (Section 2(e)(1)(C)).
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Streamlined Eligibility Verification: The establishment of a connection between State benefit databases and the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier aims to use the receipt of benefits to verify eligibility for the Lifeline program (Section 3(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Limited Grant Access: The grant program for outreach is competitive, and the Commission is only required to award grants to at least 25 percent of the States that submit an application (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Household Restrictions: The bill notes that information provided to individuals will include a description of the prohibition on more than one subscriber in each household receiving a service provided under the Lifeline program (Section 2(e)(1)(B)(ii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Native Americans+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- 4/29/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.