HB2470 - Low-Income Broadband Assistance Program Act

• Establishes a Low-Income Broadband Assistance Program administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide affordable broadband service to low-income families with household income at or below 150% of federal poverty level.

• Families with annual household income at or below 135% of federal poverty level receive free broadband service; families between 135-150% of poverty level receive at least $9.95 monthly credit toward broadband costs.

• Provides $9.95 monthly broadband service credit to families with at least one member receiving benefits from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Medical Assistance, Tribal Programs for Native Americans, or National School Lunch Program.

• Families currently enrolled in the federal Lifeline program or other state Internet subsidy programs are ineligible unless they elect to leave those programs; credit amounts may be adjusted based on family size.

• Department must coordinate with local administrative agencies to determine eligibility and process payments to broadband service providers; participants must pay any charges exceeding their credit amount and may lose eligibility if payments exceed 45 days overdue.