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Committee advances AB 1303 to allow Lifeline enrollment without Social Security numbers, bar sharing with immigration agencies without warrant
Summary
AB 1303, presented by Assemblymember Valencia, clarifies that Social Security numbers are not required to enroll in the California Lifeline program and adds protections limiting sharing of subscriber data with federal immigration authorities absent a court order; the committee sent the bill to Senate Judiciary as amended, 11-1.
The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications voted to pass AB 1303, as amended, to the Senate Judiciary Committee by a recorded vote of 11-1.
Assemblymember Valencia said AB 1303 clarifies that a Social Security number is not required to qualify for the state’s California Lifeline telecommunications subsidy and would prohibit the CPUC and program administrators from sharing subscriber personal information with federal immigration authorities without a court‑issued warrant or subpoena. Valencia described the bill as “centered on fairness, security, and accessibility, ensuring that Californians can stay connected without unnecessary hurdles or discrimination.”
Supporters included Adria Tinnin (Race Equity and Legislative Policy at Tern), Ignacio Hernandez of Communication Workers of America District 9, and other advocates. Supporters told the committee a CPUC decision from 2014 found Social Security numbers are not needed to verify Lifeline eligibility but the commission had not fully implemented that decision; the author and witnesses said eligible people have been deterred from enrolling because applications request Social Security numbers.
The bill’s amendments align the definition of lawful process in existing telephone‑customer privacy law with the bill’s requirement that agencies obtain a court order, subpoena or judicial warrant before sharing Lifeline subscriber information with federal immigration enforcement. Witnesses also told the committee the CPUC had already considered related changes and accounted for them in a proposed decision that reduced the Lifeline surcharge (the proposed decision referenced a reduction from $1.11 to $0.90). Committee discussion noted the program’s funding is largely supported by a surcharge and that increased enrollment was already expected by the CPUC staff.
Concerns raised in committee included potential effects on federal Lifeline funding and the privacy of subscriber data held by third parties. Senator Wahab asked whether the author would consider amendments to further protect data from sale to third‑party aggregators; the author said she would take the concern under advisement. The committee’s analysis referenced a possible reduction in federal funding of about $100 million if federal requirements differ; witnesses said the CPUC had budgeted for changes and had projected increased enrollment.
Motion and vote: The motion to pass AB 1303 as amended to the Senate Judiciary Committee was made by Senator Archuleta; the committee recorded a final vote of 11 yes and 1 no (Strickland). The committee left the bill on call for final processing.
If enacted, AB 1303 would make explicit that Social Security numbers are not required for California Lifeline enrollment, protect subscriber data from certain disclosures to immigration enforcement without judicial process, and direct the CPUC and administrators to implement the changes consistent with federal statutes to the extent applicable.
