2019 House Bill 5263 / 2020 Public Act 34

Revise low income phone subsidy detail

Introduced in the House

Dec. 3, 2019

Introduced by Reps. Aaron Miller (R-59) and Lynn Afendoulis (R-73)

To replace the current eligibility criteria in a law that permits low-income households to pay a lower telephone service rate than other households, and instead use the criteria specified in a certain federal subsidy program. Individuals who are eligible under the current rules but not the new ones would be "grandfathered" and still get the discounts, which are available to households on welfare, Medicaid, food stamps, etc. Also, to permit certain phone service providers to stop offering the discounts starting Nov. 30, 2022.

Referred to the Committee on Communications and Technology

Dec. 11, 2019

Reported without amendment

Refer to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

Jan. 14, 2020

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Jan. 21, 2020

Passed in the House 79 to 28 (details)

Received in the Senate

Jan. 22, 2020

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Technology

Jan. 29, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Feb. 18, 2020

Passed in the Senate 36 to 2 (details)

To replace the current eligibility criteria in a law that permits low-income households to pay a lower telephone service rate than other households, and instead use the criteria specified in a certain federal subsidy program. Individuals who are eligible under the current rules but not the new ones would be "grandfathered" and still get the discounts, which are available to households on welfare, Medicaid, food stamps, etc. Also, to permit certain phone service providers to stop offering the discounts starting Nov. 30, 2022.

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

March 3, 2020