Panel examines H.121, a bill modeled on New York to require affordable broadband plans for low‑income households

Summary

On Feb. 12 the House Energy Division reviewed H.121, modeled after New York’s law, which would require ISPs serving Vermont to offer an affordable broadband plan for eligible low-income households and create reporting and rulemaking duties for the Public Utilities Commission and Department of Public Service.

Maria Royal of the Legislative Council briefed the committee on H.121, a proposal modeled on New York’s affordable‑broadband law that the testimony said the Second Circuit upheld in 2024 and for which the U.S. Supreme Court denied review in December 2024.

What the bill would require Royal said H.121 would require an Internet service provider offering service in Vermont to make available an affordable broadband option for eligible low‑income consumers on or before Oct. 1 of the current year in the bill’s draft. The draft defines an affordable plan in two ways: either a plan with a download speed of at least 25 megabits per second for a monthly price not to exceed $15 (all recurring fees included), or a plan with at least 200 megabits per second for a price not to exceed $20 monthly (all…

Panel examines H.121, a bill modeled on New York to require affordable broadband plans for low‑income households

Summary

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