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SB 514 Connecticut Senate · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NET EQUALITY PROGRAM.

SB 514 establishes Connecticut's "Net Equality Program" to provide affordable broadband internet access to low-income households. It directly affects households participating in qualifying public assistance programs (like SNAP, HUSKY Health, or school lunch programs) and requires qualified broadband providers in the state to offer affordable service meeting specific cost and speed standards. Key mechanisms include: providers must allow immediate conversion to affordable service for eligible households starting October 1, 2025; set up dedicated phone lines for sign-ups; hold annual public meetings to track progress toward 90% coverage by 2026 and 95% by 2029; and submit annual reports to the Office of Consumer Counsel. The program aims to expand access through state-mandated provider actions rather than direct subsidies.
Issues: ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill targets households in school lunch programs (K-12 eligibility), enabling affordable internet access critical for student educational access and homework completion.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes affordable broadband program for low-income households, expanding internet access and promoting digital equity per bill's core purpose.95% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Last action May 23, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Bill → GL Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was revised to expand the Net Equality Program by adding new public assistance programs to the list of eligible households, changing the administering agency from the Department of Consumer Protection to the Office of Consumer Counsel, and updating reporting requirements to submit to the Office of Consumer Counsel instead of the Department. These changes broaden who qualifies for assistance and clarify which state office manages the program.
Scope change
The program's scope was expanded to include additional public assistance programs (HUSKY Health, state supplement to SSI, and post-secondary education aid) and the administering agency was changed from the Department of Consumer Protection to the Office of Consumer Counsel.
ELIGIBILITY

Added HUSKY Health, state supplement to the federal Supplemental Security Income Program, and need-based post-secondary education financial aid to the list of qualifying public assistance programs.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the administering agency from the Department of Consumer Protection to the Office of Consumer Counsel for developing, establishing, and administering the Net Equality Program.

Updated reporting requirements so that broadband providers must submit annual reports to the Office of Consumer Counsel instead of the Department of Consumer Protection.

DEFINITION

Reformatted the definition of 'Affordable broadband Internet access service' to explicitly exclude services that primarily serve end users using mobile stations.

TECHNICAL

Adjusted line numbers and page headers to reflect the substitute bill version.

Floor votes · Senate May 21, 2025

How they voted

29–7
Passed
Total votes 36
May 21, 2025
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican11
4 Yea 7 Nay
63% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
Mar 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE
upper
Jan 13, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.