Bill Explanation in Layman's Terms
Bill Explanation - Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022 (H.R. 4275)
This bill is about providing reports on enrollment in the Lifeline program and other related programs. Let's break it down into layman's terms:
Short Title
The official name of this bill is the "Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022."
Reports on Enrollment in Certain Programs
This section requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to submit reports to Congress on enrollment in two programs: the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program.
- The Lifeline program helps low-income individuals afford telephone and internet services.
- The Affordable Connectivity Program provides assistance to certain qualifying programs set forth in relevant regulations.
The FCC will report on the number of individuals enrolled in each program, broken down by the different qualifying programs within them. The FCC must have access to the necessary data to provide accurate enrollment information.
GAO Study and Report on Efforts to Promote Enrollment
This section requires the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment. The report will identify the outreach and publicity efforts made to promote participation and enrollment in both the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Definitions
This section provides definitions for certain terms used in the bill:
- Affordable Connectivity Program Qualifying Program: This refers to the programs listed in specific regulations that qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
- Commission: This refers to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- Lifeline Qualifying Program: This refers to the programs listed in specific regulations that qualify for the Lifeline program.
This bill has been passed by the House of Representatives on November 17, 2022.