Bill Text: MI HB4977 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Communications; telecommunications; reduced rates for low-income residential services; expand. Amends sec. 316 of 1991 PA 179 (MCL 484.2316).
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-09-18 - Bill Electronically Reproduced 09/18/2019 [HB4977 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-HB4977-Introduced.html
HOUSE BILL NO. 4977
September 17, 2019, Introduced by Rep.
Camilleri and referred to the Committee on Communications and Technology.
A bill to amend 1991 PA 179, entitled
"Michigan telecommunications act,"
by amending section 316 (MCL 484.2316), as amended by 2011 PA 58.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 316. (1) The commission shall require each provider of residential basic local exchange service to offer certain low income low-income customers the availability of basic local exchange service, broadband service, telephone service, and access service at reduced rates as described in subsections (2) and (3).
(2) Except as provided under subsections (3) and (4), the rate reductions for low income low-income customers shall be is, at a minimum, 20% of the basic local exchange rate, 20% of the broadband service rate, 20% of the telephone service rate, or $8.25, which shall be, is inclusive of any federal contribution, whichever is greater.
(3) Except as provided under subsection (4), if the low income low-income customer is 65 years of age or older, the rate reduction shall be, is, at a minimum, 25% of the basic local exchange rate, 25% of the broadband service rate, 25% of the telephone service rate, or $12.35, which shall be is inclusive of any federal contribution, whichever is greater.
(4) The total reduction under subsection (2) or (3) shall must not exceed 100% of the broadband service rate, 100% of the telephone service rate, or 100% of all end-user common line charges and the basic local exchange rate. The dollar amounts in subsections (2) and (3) shall must be adjusted annually to reflect any increases or decreases increase or decrease in the federal contribution.
(5) To qualify for the reduced rate under this section, the person's individual's annual income shall must not exceed 150% of the federal poverty guidelines the median household income in this state as published annually in the federal register by the United States department of health and human services and as approved by the state treasurer, by the United States Census Bureau, or the person individual must participate in 1 or more of the following federal assistance programs:
(a) Medicaid.
(b) Food stamps.
(c) Supplemental security income.
(d) Federal public housing assistance.
(e) Low-income home energy assistance program.
(f) National school lunch program's free lunch program.
(g) Temporary assistance for needy families.
(6) The commission shall establish a rate for each subscriber line of a provider to allow the provider to recover costs incurred under this section. The rate established by the commission under this subsection may be assessed as a line item on an end-user's bill.
(7) The commission shall take necessary action to notify the general public of the availability of lifeline services including, but not limited to, public service announcements, newspaper notices, and any other notice reasonably calculated to reach those who may benefit from the services.
