California Home Internet LifeLine Act of 2025.

Here's a neutral, substantive summary of SB 716 for an informed general audience:

Senator Durazo's California Home Internet LifeLine Act of 2025 expands the state's universal service framework to incorporate home broadband internet access alongside existing telephone services. The legislation establishes a new Universal LifeLine Home Internet Services Fund and creates a $20 monthly subsidy program for eligible low-income households.

The bill directs the Public Utilities Commission to implement the broadband subsidy program by July 2027, with a target of enrolling 90% of eligible households by 2032. Participating households would pay no more than $10 monthly for internet service meeting minimum speed requirements of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload. The program would be funded through telephone access line fees and excess funds transferred from existing universal service programs.

A new Universal LifeLine Home Internet Services Committee would oversee program development and implementation. This advisory board includes representatives from state agencies, internet service providers, and consumer advocacy organizations. The legislation requires streamlined enrollment procedures, prohibits credit checks and social security number requirements, and allocates up to $20 million for public awareness campaigns through community media channels.

The measure builds upon findings from the 2023 Statewide Digital Equity Survey, which identified affordability as the primary barrier to internet access for 35.6% of unconnected or underconnected households. The program aims to address disparities highlighted in the survey, including an 18.8% disconnection rate among low-income households compared to 4.09% for higher-income households.