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Bill

Bill

S 8026

Provides internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare and 4 co-sponsors

Guarantee internet access for residents in temporary housing, enabling use of online public benefits, education, employment, and healthcare resources.

REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 8026

Summary of Bill S 8026

Overview

Bill S 8026, titled “Provides internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing,” seeks to ensure internet connectivity for residents of temporary housing. The bill is currently in the referral stage, having been referred to the Social Services committee on May 15, 2025. The sponsor list includes Kristen Gonzalez as the primary sponsor, with several cosponsors.

Purpose and Intent

  • Primary aim: Guarantee access to internet services for people living in temporary housing facilities or arrangements, addressing digital access gaps for a population often facing barriers to connectivity.
  • Rationale (inferred from the title): Improved access to online resources can facilitate access to public benefits, education, employment opportunities, housing services, healthcare information, and other essential services.

Key Provisions (not specified in the provided text)

The exact statutory language and provisions are not included in the summary you provided. Based on the bill’s title, the following elements are typically involved in similar measures and may be anticipated, though the actual text should be consulted for accuracy:
- Definition of “temporary housing” or “temporary housing residents” and eligibility criteria.
- Requirements for providing internet access (e.g., free or subsidized service, or devices such as Wi‑Fi routers, tablets, or laptops).
- Responsibilities of a state or local agency (likely Social Services) to ensure connectivity, including implementation timing, standards for service quality (bandwidth, reliability), and duration of services.
- Funding sources and cost considerations (e.g., appropriations, grants, partnerships with service providers).
- Oversight, reporting, and compliance mechanisms (frequency of reporting, performance metrics, audits).
- Data privacy and security considerations related to service provision.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Primary Affected Group: Individuals residing in temporary housing (shelters, transitional housing, or other temporary arrangements).
  • Government/Agencies: Social Services department or equivalent state agency would likely administer or oversee the program, including implementation and reporting.
  • Service Providers: Internet service providers or contractors may be engaged to deliver connectivity and devices, under contract or grant arrangements.
  • Public benefits and services: Potentially improved access to employment resources, education (including remote learning), healthcare information, and eligibility applications for benefits.

Legislative Action and Timeline

  • Introduced: May 15, 2025
  • Status: Referred to Social Services (with two identical referral entries on the same date)
  • Next steps: If advanced, the bill would proceed through the Social Services committee for hearings and amendments, followed by floor consideration in the chamber, conference negotiations if needed, and potential enactment or veto by the governor.

Sponsorship and Related Legislation

  • Primary Sponsor: Kristen Gonzalez
  • Cosponsors: Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Julia Salazar, Jessica Ramos, Cordell Cleare
  • Related Bills (prior-session or companion): S 9030 (prior-session), S 3593 (prior-session), S 4561 (prior-session); A 1755 (companion in the Assembly)

Notable Considerations

  • The absence of text means specific provisions, funding levels, and implementation timelines are not yet known. Readers should review the bill’s full language for precise definitions, duties, fiscal implications, and reporting requirements.
  • Monitoring and evaluation plans, if included, would affect transparency and accountability of how connectivity is delivered and maintained.

Next Steps for Interested Parties

  • Monitor the Social Services committee for hearings and amendments.
  • Review the bill’s official text and fiscal notes when released.
  • Compare with related bills (S 9030, S 3593, S 4561, A 1755) for alignment or differences in approach to internet access for temporary housing residents.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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