Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Committee backs SB 716 to extend state lifeline subsidy to home broadband for low-income households
Summary
SB 716 would establish a California home Internet lifeline program, allowing eligible households to apply a lifeline subsidy to broadband service plans; the committee passed the bill as amended and referred it to Appropriations amid debate over funding mechanics and voluntary ISP participation.
Sen. Durazosponsored SB 716, designed to let eligible low-income households apply the state lifeline subsidy to home broadband service, passed out of the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Thursday and was referred to the Appropriations Committee after amendments and extensive stakeholder discussion.
Sen. Durazo told the committee the bill would create a home Internet lifeline program to help families afford reliable home service, with the PUC directed to adopt implementing rules by July 1, 2027. "This bill creates the home Internet lifeline program for low income families," Durazo said, citing the lapse of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program and the states $6 billion infrastructure investment as reasons affordability remains the barrier to connection.
Under the committees amended language, participation by internet service providers is voluntary;…
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
