Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Bill would expand Oregon low‑income telecom aid, add $100 device benefit and rename program
Summary
House Bill 3148 would rename Oregon's low‑income assistance program to the Oregon Lifeline Plan, raise the state subsidy, add a one‑time personal computing benefit and give the Public Utility Commission budget authority to implement the changes; the committee heard testimony March 12.
The House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade held a public hearing March 12 on House Bill 3148, which would make changes to Oregon's low‑income telecommunications assistance program administered by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). The bill would rename the Oregon Telephone Assistance Program (OTAP) to the Oregon Lifeline Plan, increase the customer subsidy and establish a one‑time device benefit for eligible households.
Representative Pam Marsh (House District 5) described the measure as a modest state response to the end of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). "This is a very modest bill that in no way will replace ACP," Marsh said, adding that the state plans to use existing program structure to stretch available resources. The bill would give the PUC…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
