Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill creates a new grant program run by the Federal Communications Commission. These grants would go to states and tribal governments to help them find and sign up people who qualify for the Lifeline program, which provides discounted phone and internet service.
• States would use the money to run outreach campaigns and partner with local community groups. These groups would help people understand if they are eligible, explain how to apply, and help them choose the right technology for their needs.
• The plan also helps states connect their own databases, like those for food stamps, to the national system that checks eligibility. This makes it faster and easier for the government to confirm that a family qualifies for the discount without extra paperwork.
• To make sure the program works, the agency would have to report back to Congress in three years. This report would show how many new people signed up for the discounts and whether the grant money was spent effectively.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.