Bill > SB716

This bill expands California's Lifeline program, which currently provides affordable telephone service to low-income households, to include standalone broadband internet access service. The bill requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to establish a mechanism for offering internet service as a lifeline service, with internet service providers becoming eligible for subsidies if they offer at least one plan with broadband speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, costing $30 or less per month. The bill prohibits requiring lifeline subscribers to bundle voice and internet services to receive a subsidy and prevents the CPUC from providing more than one lifeline subsidy per household. Internet service providers will not need to obtain a specific telecommunications carrier designation to offer lifeline service, and the CPUC must prohibit providers from upselling their plans to lifeline subscribers. The bill mandates that the commission submit an estimate of potential surcharge rate increases by December 31, 2026, adopt implementation rules by July 1, 2027, and includes a sunset provision that repeals these provisions on January 1, 2032. The goal is to make broadband internet more affordable and accessible for low-income California residents, recognizing internet access as an essential service in the modern digital landscape.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB716