119 S3954 IS: No Lifeline for Dead People Act U.S. Senate 2026-02-26 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II119th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 3954IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 26, 2026Ms. Ernst introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo terminate the ability of eligible telecommunications carriers in certain States to use State eligibility determination processes in place of the National Verifier to determine the eligibility of consumers for Lifeline service.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the No Lifeline for Dead People Act.

2.

Mandatory use of National Verifier to determine Lifeline eligibility

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Eligible telecommunications carrier

The term eligible telecommunications carrier means a common carrier designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier under section 214(e) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 214(e)).(2)

Lifeline service

The term Lifeline service means voice telephony service or broadband internet access service provided under the program set forth in subpart E of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.(3)

National Verifier

The term National Verifier has the meaning given the term in section 54.400 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.(b)

Mandatory use of National Verifier

An eligible telecommunications carrier may not provide Lifeline service to a consumer unless the carrier has used the National Verifier to verify the eligibility of the consumer for Lifeline service.