US Congress Senate Bill 4529 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: Introduced on August 13 2020 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2020-08-13 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Pending: Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

Expands tribal access to the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support (E-rate) program, which provides discounted broadband internet access and telecommunications services to certain schools and libraries. It also establishes a pilot program to provide E-rate support to certain community-serving institutions. First, a tribe may designate a tribal library or tribal library consortium, including a public-serving library of a tribal college or university, as a library or library consortium that is eligible for E-rate support. The tribe may make this designation regardless of whether the library or consortium is eligible for certain assistance from a state library administrative agency. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must establish a program to provide E-rate support to tribes for qualifying essential community-serving institutions (e.g., community centers). E-rate support may be provided to institutions designated by tribes if (1) the institutions are exclusively owned by the tribes; and (2) the institutions intend to deliver publicly available internet access to students, teachers, librarians, and community members. Further, the bill requires the FCC to (1) provide technical assistance and training, (2) develop performance measures, and (3) review and submit annual reports.

Tribal Connect Act of 2020

Sen. Martin Heinrich [D-NM]

Sen. Martha McSally [R-AZ]

Sen. Lisa Murkowski [R-AK]

Date	Chamber	Action
2020-08-13	Senate	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

HB7973 (Related) 2020-08-07 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/4529/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s4529/BILLS-116s4529is.pdf