SB302 Alabama 2019 Session

Under existing law, the Public Service Commission is tasked with administering federal universal service programs in Alabama including the federal Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up program for eligible low-income consumers. Additionally, state agencies that administer Lifeline qualifying public assistance programs, consumer participation which qualifies consumers for federal Lifeline benefits ("Lifeline qualifying public assistance programs") are required to share participant data with the commission to aid in Lifeline enrollment. The requirements in this section are based upon the Federal Communications Commission 2004 Lifeline and Link-Up Report and Order which encouraged the states to adopt their own automatic Lifeline enrollment procedures

This bill would remove obsolete language and authorize and direct any state agency administering a Lifeline qualifying public assistance program to make access to its data files of program participants available to USAC, the National Verifier, and the Lifeline eligibility database for purposes of consumer Lifeline eligibility, enrollment, and for other administrative functions

Relating to the administration of Lifeline qualifying public assistance programs; to amend Section 37-2A-7 of the Code of Alabama 1975, to remove obsolete language; and to authorize and direct any state agency administering a Lifeline qualifying public assistance program to make access to its data files of program participants available to USAC, the National Verifier, and the Lifeline eligibility database for purposes of consumer Lifeline eligibility, enrollment, and for other administrative functions.