Grants to States to strengthen National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier

(a) Definitions In this section: (1) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission. (2) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means a State that, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, submits to the Commission an application for a grant under this section containing such information as the Commission may require. (3) State The term State means each State of the United States, the District of Columbia, each commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, and each federally recognized Indian Tribe. (b) Establishment Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall establish a program to provide a grant, from amounts appropriated under subsection (e), to each eligible entity for the purpose described in subsection (c). (c) Purpose The Commission shall make a grant to each eligible entity for the purpose of establishing, renewing, reestablishing, or maintaining or amending a connection between the databases of the eligible entity that contain information concerning the receipt by a household, or a member of a household, of benefits under a program administered by the eligible entity (including any benefit provided under the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.)) and the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier so that the receipt by a household, or a member of a household, of benefits under the benefits program— (1) is reflected in the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier; and (2) can be used to verify eligibility for the Lifeline program set forth in subpart E, part 54, of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. (d) Disbursement of grant funds Not later than 120 days after the date on which the Commission establishes the program under subsection (b), funds provided under each grant made under that subsection shall be disbursed to the eligible entity receiving the grant. (e) Authorization of appropriation There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.