Technology (Broadband Access)

HB 5338 clarifies Connecticut's process for designating which telecommunications service providers can offer federal Lifeline benefits to eligible low-income households, individuals with disabilities (including those hard of hearing or speech impaired), and people in rural areas. It requires the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to determine which providers qualify to participate in the program and which customers meet eligibility criteria, based on factors like provider revenue in Connecticut. The bill ensures funding for Lifeline services - covering basic phone and internet access - comes from a fair share of telecommunications providers' gross revenues generated within the state. This change takes effect October 1, 2026, streamlining how Connecticut administers the federal program without altering benefit levels or eligibility rules.

SB 62 authorizes the state to issue bonds up to a specified amount to fund high-speed broadband improvements in rural areas. The proceeds will be distributed as grants by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to enhance and extend broadband internet and cellular service access. This bill directly affects rural communities by targeting funding to address connectivity gaps in underserved areas. It creates a mechanism for state financial support through bond issuance, with no specific dollar amount listed in the proposed text. The policy change focuses on expanding infrastructure access, not on regulatory or tax measures.