The law › Title 47, Telecommunications › Chapter 5

47 U.S.C. 254: Universal service

Created in 1996 by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-104). Changed by 6 later laws. 1 new law this Congress changed it.

12 other sections of the Code cite this one, including 7 U.S.C. 950bb–6, 20 U.S.C. 7131, 20 U.S.C. 9134, 47 U.S.C. 214, 47 U.S.C. 251.

5 parts of federal rules cite it as their authority, written by Federal Communications Commission (5).

How it got hereLaws that created or changed it, newest first

2016Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act

2015Every Student Succeeds Act

2008Pub. L. 110-385

2002Pub. L. 107-110

2000Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001

1996Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

1996Telecommunications Act of 1996added it

47 U.S.C. 254Universal service

(a)Procedures to review universal service requirements

(b)Universal service principles

(c)Definition

(d)Telecommunications carrier contribution

(e)Universal service support

(f)State authority

(g)Interexchange and interstate services

(h)Telecommunications services for certain providers

(i)Consumer protection

(j)Lifeline assistance

(k)Subsidy of competitive services prohibited

(l)Internet safety policy requirement for schools and libraries

(m)Newnew

This CongressBills that change it or would

S. 98Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025law

past change
enacted this Congress
proposed

This Congress

S. 98 Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 · became law · changed (m)

How it got here

2016

Pub. L. 114–182 added cl. (vii), redesignated former cl. (vii) as (viii), and substituted "clauses (i) through (vii)" for "clauses (i) through (vi)" in cl. (viii). (Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act) Law text · (h), (viii)

2015

Pub. L. 114–95, §9215(s)(1), substituted "an elementary school or a secondary school as defined in section 7801 of title 20" for "an elementary or secondary school as defined in section 8801 of title 20". (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (h)
Pub. L. 114–95, §9215(s)(2), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7801 of title 20. (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (h)

2008

Pub. L. 110–385 added cl. (iii). Law text · (h)

2002

Pub. L. 107–110 substituted "section 7801" for "paragraphs (14) and (25), respectively, of section 8801". Law text · (h)

2000

Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(4) [div. B, title XVII, §1721(d)], substituted "paragraph (7)(A)" for "paragraph (5)(A)". (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001) Law text · (h)
Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(4) [div. B, title XVII, §1721(a)(2)], added par. (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (7). (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001) Law text · (h)
Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(4) [div. B, title XVII, §1721(b)], added par. (6). (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001) Law text · (h)
Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(4) [div. B, title XVII, §1721(a)(1)], redesignated par. (5) as (7). (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001) Law text · (h)
Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(4) [div. B, title XVII, §1721(c)], added subpars. (D) to (I). (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001) Law text · (h)
Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(4) [div. B, title XVII, §1732], added subsec. (l). (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001) Law text · (l)

1996

Pub. L. 104–208 substituted "library or library consortium not eligible for assistance from a State library administrative agency under the Library Services and Technology Act" for "library not eligible for participation in State-based plans for funds under title III of the Library … (Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act) Law text · (h)

Text, outline and history from the official U.S. Code (2024 edition) on GovInfo, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel. Changes made after that edition appear under This Congress.