Urges United States Congress to permanently fund Affordable Connectivity Program.
Impact
Currently, more than 20 million households across the country benefit from the ACP, with approximately 335,079 households in New Jersey alone enrolled in the program as of January 2024. The ACP provides substantial financial relief, offering discounts of up to $30 per month for eligible internet service and a one-time discount of up to $100 for the purchase of devices like tablets or computers. In New Jersey, this program has facilitated nearly $152 million in funding, yielding significant cumulative savings for enrolled households.
Summary
Assembly Resolution No. 117 (AR117) urges the United States Congress to permanently fund the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal initiative designed to ensure broadband access for low-income households. The resolution highlights the critical role that broadband plays in various aspects of everyday life, including education, work, and healthcare. It identifies the significant number of Americans, particularly in rural areas, who currently struggle without reliable internet access, adversely impacting their economic and social mobility.
Contention
There is concern regarding the future of the ACP as it faces potential expiration in April 2024 due to a looming budget shortfall. Without further congressional funding, the program is set to exhaust its $14.2 billion budget, which could drastically reduce or eliminate the assistance provided to struggling households across the nation. The resolution emphasizes the need for sustained funding to continue fostering equitable access to essential digital resources, thereby improving education, economic conditions, and healthcare outcomes for the underserved.
Facilitates changes to certain terms of State or federal tenant-based housing subsidy due to increase in household members, emergency conditions, and financial barriers faced by head-of-household.