Commercial Law - Broadband Access - Low-Income Consumer Programs (Maryland Broadband Opportunity and Fairness Act)

HB 1553, the Maryland Broadband Opportunity and Fairness Act, requires all broadband providers in Maryland to establish discounted service programs for eligible low-income consumers by December 1, 2025. Providers must offer two pricing tiers: $15/month for 100/20 Mbps speeds or $20/month for 200/20 Mbps speeds, with eligibility based on meeting federal or state low-income program criteria (e.g., SNAP, Medicaid, or Maryland EITC). The law allows exemptions for small providers serving fewer than 20,000 households if compliance would cause financial hardship, and mandates annual reporting to the Office of Statewide Broadband on program availability, enrollment, and marketing efforts. The bill also establishes enforcement through existing unfair trade practice laws in Maryland’s Commercial Law.