KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Delaware

SB307 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS FOR LIFELINE SERVICES.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS FOR LIFELINE SERVICES.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Huxtable
Last action
2026-05-20
Official status
House Technology & Telecommunications 5/20/26
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how many additional providers will be designated as ETCs or the exact number of residents who might benefit from these changes.

Act for Designating Lifeline ETCs in Delaware

The bill gives the Public Service Commission of Delaware the authority to designate telecommunications providers as eligible carriers for the federal Lifeline program, which helps low-income residents afford phone and internet services.

What This Bill Does

  • Gives the Public Service Commission authority to choose companies that can provide affordable phone and internet services through the Lifeline program.
  • Shifts decision-making from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to Delaware’s state commission for Lifeline ETC designations.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Low-income Delaware residents who use or might benefit from the Lifeline program.
  • Telecommunications companies that want to provide Lifeline services in Delaware.

Terms To Know

Lifeline
A federal program that helps low-income people get affordable phone and internet service.
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC)
A company approved to provide Lifeline services, making these services more accessible for those in need.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how many new providers will be designated as ETCs.
  • Implementation is delayed until the Public Service Commission updates its rules.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-20 Delaware General Assembly

    Assigned to Technology & Telecommunications Committee in House

  2. 2026-05-19 Delaware General Assembly

    Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

  3. 2026-05-13 Delaware General Assembly

    Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 7 Favorable

  4. 2026-05-06 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS FOR LIFELINE SERVICES.
This Act gives Delaware’s Public Service Commission (“Commission”) the authority to designate a telecommunications provider or reseller as an eligible telecommunications carrier (“ETC”) for the purpose of providing Lifeline services. Lifeline is a Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) program that helps make phone and internet services more affordable for low-income consumers. Approximately 8,700 Delawareans participate in Lifeline.

Currently, the determination of which telecommunications services companies can operate as Lifeline ETCs in Delaware is made by the FCC. This Act shifts that authority to the Commission, and in doing so, brings Delaware into line with nearly every other state in the nation. The reason for this nationwide trend is that in the past 15-20 years, the FCC has stopped taking action on approving ETCs for Lifeline on behalf of states. The FCC is not opposed to states stepping into this gap, but Delaware cannot do so absent statutory changes. By giving the Commission the authority to designate Lifeline ETCs, this Act will allow additional Lifeline providers to support this State’s residents. Because the FCC handles the administration and expenses of the program, there is no cost to the State as a result of taking on this authority.

This Act takes effect immediately, but implementation is delayed to give the Commission time to amend its regulations to be consistent with this Act.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Huxtable & Rep. Romer

Sen. Wilson; Reps. Morrison, Snyder-Hall

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 307

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS FOR LIFELINE SERVICES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 202, Title 26 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 202. Limitations on jurisdiction of Commission.

(c)

(1)

The Commission shall have no jurisdiction over the operation of telephone service provided by cellular technology or by domestic public land mobile radio service or over the rates to be charged for such service or over property, property rights, equipment or facilities employed in such service.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the Commission may, upon application, designate any provider or reseller of cellular or wireless telecommunications services as an eligible telecommunications carrier under 47 C.F.R. § 54.201 for the purpose of providing federal Lifeline services. The Commission may promulgate regulations as necessary to implement this paragraph (c)(2).

Section 2. This Act takes effect immediately and is to be implemented the earlier of the following:

(1) 6 months from the date of the Act’s enactment.

(2) Notice by the Commission published in the Register of Regulations that final regulations to implement this Act have been promulgated.

SYNOPSIS

This Act gives Delaware’s Public Service Commission (“Commission”) the authority to designate a telecommunications provider or reseller as an eligible telecommunications carrier (“ETC”) for the purpose of providing Lifeline services. Lifeline is a Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) program that helps make phone and internet services more affordable for low-income consumers. Approximately 8,700 Delawareans participate in Lifeline.

Currently, the determination of which telecommunications services companies can operate as Lifeline ETCs in Delaware is made by the FCC. This Act shifts that authority to the Commission, and in doing so, brings Delaware into line with nearly every other state in the nation. The reason for this nationwide trend is that in the past 15-20 years, the FCC has stopped taking action on approving ETCs for Lifeline on behalf of states. The FCC is not opposed to states stepping into this gap, but Delaware cannot do so absent statutory changes. By giving the Commission the authority to designate Lifeline ETCs, this Act will allow additional Lifeline providers to support this State’s residents. Because the FCC handles the administration and expenses of the program, there is no cost to the State as a result of taking on this authority.

This Act takes effect immediately, but implementation is delayed to give the Commission time to amend its regulations to be consistent with this Act.

Author: Senator Huxtable