New York Assembly Bill A10262

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/26
• Refer: 2/12/26

Caption

Enacts the lifeline expansion act of 2026

Summary

This bill, titled the "lifeline expansion act of 2026," amends Section 92-h of the Public Service Law to expand participation in New York’s targeted accessibility fund, which supports Lifeline telephone service. Under current law, eligible telecommunications carriers offering Lifeline service may participate in the fund; this bill would make participation mandatory for all providers and resellers of commercial mobile radio service that are designated as eligible telecommunications carriers, and it would also require every telephone corporation to participate. The bill also broadens the intended beneficiary pool for Lifeline support by specifying that service is to be offered to households at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. It preserves the existing framework that participation in the fund does not, by itself, give the Public Service Commission broader regulatory jurisdiction over participating mobile service providers beyond what is needed to administer or supervise the fund. The bill would take effect 180 days after becoming law.

Impact

The bill would amend the Public Service Law to convert participation in the targeted accessibility fund from a voluntary option for certain wireless providers into a mandatory obligation for all covered commercial mobile radio service providers, resellers, and telephone corporations. It would likely increase the number of entities contributing to and operating under the Lifeline support framework, while expanding access to discounted telecommunications service for low-income households up to 200% of the federal poverty level. The measure would affect telecommunications carriers, resellers, telephone corporations, and the Public Service Commission’s administration of the fund, but would not otherwise expand PSC regulatory authority over participating providers.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and its procedural posture, the measure appears to be a consumer-access and affordability initiative with a pro-expansion orientation. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, so no formal debate or recorded opposition is available. The bill’s framing suggests support for broader Lifeline participation and low-income connectivity, but the absence of voting history means overall legislative sentiment cannot be measured beyond its introduction and referral to committee.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the shift from optional to mandatory participation in the fund for all eligible providers, resellers, and telephone corporations. Providers may object to being required to participate and assume all associated rights and obligations, especially if they previously could opt in or withdraw. Another likely issue is the expanded eligibility focus on households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, which could raise questions about program cost, administrative burden, and the scope of subsidized service. No specific objections are documented in the provided record.