Ensuring Network Security Act

To amend the Secure and Trusted Communications Network Reimbursement Program to include eligible telecommunications carriers and providers of educational broadband service, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Network Security Act 2. Amendments to the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program Section 4 of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 ( 47 U.S.C. 1603 (1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking 2,000,000 10,000,000 (2) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (1)(A)— (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting , as defined in section 9 or as defined in the Report and Order of the Commission in the matter of Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through FCC Programs (FCC 19–121; WC Docket No. 18–89; adopted November 22, 2019) (in this section referred to as the Report and Order services (ii) in clause (i), by inserting were reported to the Commission in response to its February 26, 2020, Supply Chain Data Collection or services that (iii) in clause (ii), by inserting were not reported to the Commission in response to its February 26, 2020, Supply Chain Data Collection or services that (B) in paragraph (2)(A)— (i) in clause (i), by inserting was reported to the Commission in response to its February 26, 2020, Supply Chain Data Collection or service that (ii) in clause (ii), by inserting was not reported to the Commission in response to its February 26, 2020, Supply Chain Data Collection or service that (3) in subsection (d)(5)— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking The Commission Subject to subparagraph (C), the Commission (B) by adding at the end the following: (C) Priority for allocation On and after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the Commission shall allocate sufficient reimbursement funds— (i) first, to approved applicants that have 2,000,000 or fewer customers, for removal and replacement of covered communications equipment, as defined in section 9; (ii) after funds have been allocated to all applicants described in clause (i), to approved applicants that are accredited public or private non-commercial educational institutions providing their own facilities-based education broadband service, as defined in section 27.4 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation, for removal and replacement of covered communications equipment, as defined in the Report and Order; and (iii) after funds have been allocated to all applicants described in clause (ii), to approved applicants that are designated as eligible telecommunications carriers under section 214(e) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 214(e) .

Summary: Ensuring Network Security Act This bill expands eligibility and establishes distribution priority for funds provided under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program. The program reimburses providers of advanced communications service for costs associated with replacing communications equipment or services that pose a threat to national security. Specifically, the bill increases from 2 million to 10 million the number of customers that an eligible provider may serve. Further, the bill establishes priority for the allocation of reimbursement funds to applicants, providing that such funds shall be distributed first to applicants that have 2 million or fewer customers; subsequently, to applicants that are accredited public or private noncommercial educational institutions providing their own facilities-based education broadband service; and finally, to any remaining approved applicants.