SB 307 DE
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS FOR LIFELINE SERVICES.
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Summary
This act transfers authority from the Federal Communications Commission to Delaware's Public Service Commission to designate which telecommunications providers can offer Lifeline services in the state. Lifeline is a federal program that provides subsidized phone and internet services to approximately 8,700 low-income Delaware residents. The change aligns Delaware with most other states and addresses the FCC's reduced activity in approving new Lifeline providers, allowing the state to expand access by designating additional eligible telecommunications carriers. The federal government continues to administer and fund the Lifeline program, so the state incurs no additional costs from taking on this regulatory authority. The Public Service Commission will have time to update its regulations before implementation begins.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill (from the OpenStates abstract — no full text available yet) — neutral, and may be imperfect.
Official abstract
This Act gives Delaware’s Public Service Commission (“Commission”) the authority to designate a telecommunications provider or reseller as an eligible telecommunications carrier (“ETC”) for the purpose of providing Lifeline services. Lifeline is a Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) program that helps make phone and internet services more affordable for low-income consumers. Approximately 8,700 Delawareans participate in Lifeline. Currently, the determination of which telecommunications services companies can operate as Lifeline ETCs in Delaware is made by the FCC. This Act shifts that authority to the Commission, and in doing so, brings Delaware into line with nearly every other state in the nation. The reason for this nationwide trend is that in the past 15-20 years, the FCC has stopped taking action on approving ETCs for Lifeline on behalf of states. The FCC is not opposed to states stepping into this gap, but Delaware cannot do so absent statutory changes. By giving the Commission the authority to designate Lifeline ETCs, this Act will allow additional Lifeline providers to support this State’s residents. Because the FCC handles the administration and expenses of the program, there is no cost to the State as a result of taking on this authority. This Act takes effect immediately, but implementation is delayed to give the Commission time to amend its regulations to be consistent with this Act.
Sponsors (5)
- Russell Huxtable Democratic · primary
- Cyndie Romer Democratic · primary
- David L. Wilson Republican · primary
- Eric Morrison Democratic · primary
- Claire Snyder-Hall Democratic · primary
Action history (6)
- May 6, 2026 Introduced and Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate · upper
- May 13, 2026 Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 7 Favorable · upper
- May 19, 2026 Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES · upper
- May 20, 2026 Assigned to Technology & Telecommunications Committee in House · lower
- Jun 18, 2026 Reported Out of Committee (Technology & Telecommunications) in House with 5 On Its Merits · lower
- Jun 30, 2026 Passed By House. Votes: 41 YES · lower
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