H 7120Public Services

Public Utilities and Carriers - Broadband Deployment and Investment Act

Creates a state government position dedicated to helping residents apply for federal internet affordability programs.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Jan 15, 2026Committee House Innovation, Internet, & Technology

Plain-English Summary

This legislation establishes a new position called the broadband community outreach coordinator within the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities. The primary responsibility of this coordinator is to assist residents of the state in understanding and applying for the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides financial assistance for internet services. The bill aims to facilitate better access to broadband for eligible residents by providing dedicated support for navigating the federal application process.

For younger readers

This new law creates a special helper job for the state of Rhode Island. This person's main job is to help families sign up for a federal program that makes home internet cheaper. Sometimes, filling out forms for government help can be tricky. This helper will explain the program to people and show them exactly how to sign up so they can get online. This ensures that more people can afford to use the internet for school and fun.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Low-income residentsInternet service providersDivision of Public UtilitiesStudentsRural residents

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Promotes digital equity by helping low-income and disadvantaged residents access affordable internet, which is crucial for education, employment, and social participation.
Strengthens the social safety net by providing direct government assistance to navigate complex federal bureaucracy, ensuring eligible citizens receive the benefits they are entitled to.
Maximizes the utilization of federal funds within the state to support the poor, rather than letting available aid go unused due to a lack of awareness or technical barriers.
Relies on the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which has faced funding instability, meaning the coordinator's role could become obsolete if federal funding is cut.
Creates only a single coordinator position, which may be insufficient to address the needs of the entire state population requiring assistance.
Does not address the structural issues of high internet costs or hold internet service providers accountable for pricing, acting only as a band-aid solution.

For Conservatives

Utilizes federal dollars to support local internet access without requiring new state taxes or significant state-funded subsidies.
Supports market participation by helping customers pay for private internet services, benefitting businesses without imposing price controls.
Focuses on a specific administrative task (outreach) rather than creating a large, sprawling regulatory agency with undefined powers.
Expands the size of state government by creating a new bureaucratic position and salary that will be funded by taxpayers.
Encourages reliance on federal government handouts and welfare programs rather than promoting self-sufficiency.
Uses state resources to facilitate a federal program, intertwining state operations further with federal spending initiatives.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 5 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 39-28 of the General Laws entitled "Broadband Deployment and Investment Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 39-28-8. Broadband community outreach coordinator -- Affordable connectivity program. There is hereby established, within the division of public utilities, a broadband community outreach coordinator to assist state residents interested in learning more and/or applying for, the federal Affordable Connectivity Program.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.