To assist Indian tribes in maintaining, expanding, and deploying broadband systems.

To assist Indian tribes in maintaining, expanding, and deploying broadband systems. 1. Technical assistance for Indian tribes in applying for financial assistance to maintain, expand, or deploy broadband systems (a) In general The Secretary of Agriculture, through the Office of Tribal Relations in the Department of Agriculture, shall, in consultation with the Office of Native Affairs and Policy of the Federal Communications Commission— (1) create a database of Federal programs and activities under which Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and agencies and instrumentalities of Indian tribes and tribal organizations, may obtain financial assistance for the maintenance, expansion, or deployment of broadband systems; (2) provide technical assistance to entities described in paragraph (1) in applying for or using the financial assistance; and (3) submit to the Congress annual reports on— (A) the number of the entities to which the technical assistance was provided in the fiscal year covered by the report; (B) the number of applications for the financial assistance that the entities submitted in the fiscal year covered by the report; and (C) the number of efforts made to facilitate the efforts of the entities to obtain the financial assistance in the fiscal year covered by the report. (b) Model broadband development plan (1) In general Within 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Office of Tribal Relations in the Department of Agriculture, shall develop and publish in the Federal Register a model broadband development plan using the database created under subsection (a)(1), that— (A) identifies overlaps and unique target areas in each programs listed in the database; (B) identifies options for obtaining the financial assistance referred to in subsection (a)(1), and propose opportunities to enable the entities described in subsection (a)(1) overcome any obstacles in doing so; (C) describes the goals of technical assistance provided under subsection (a)(2); and (D) proposes a course for the provision of the technical assistance that is proven to enhance broadband access on tribal lands. (2) Consultations required (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), in developing the plan, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Federal Communications Commission shall jointly— (i) conduct an in-person consultation with the Indian tribes and tribal members involved, in a forum open to the public; (ii) publish in the Federal Register the date of the consultation not later than 14 days before that date; (iii) within 30 days after the date of the consultation, transcribe or record the consultation, and make the transcription or record available to the public; and (iv) not later than 30 days before finalizing the plan, make available to the public a document that demonstrates how the consultation affected the development of the plan. (B) Waiver authority The Secretary of Agriculture and the Federal Communications Commission may jointly waive the requirement of subparagraph (A) with respect to a group of Indian tribes if at least 5/6 (c) Definition of Indian tribe In this section, the term Indian tribe (d) Limitations on authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture not more than $500,000 for each fiscal year. 2. Parity for tribal regulatory commissions Section 306(a)(20)(E) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(20)(E) (1) by inserting and tribal State (2) by striking states States and tribal lands 3. Substantially underserved trust areas Section 306F of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 ( 7 U.S.C. 936f (e) Refinancing loans in substantially underserved trust areas Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary or a designee of the Secretary may make or guarantee a loan to refinance a loan made to any person who has applied for, or has outstanding, a loan or loan guarantee from the Rural Utilities Service for a project under an eligible program, to improve or continue the availability of projects that serve communities in substantially underserved trust areas. . 4. Distance learning and telemedicine grants on Indian reservations Section 2333(d)(5) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 950aaa–2(d)(5) (including on and off an Indian reservation) geographical diversity

Summary: This bill assists Indian tribes in obtaining and using financial assistance to maintain, expand, or deploy broadband systems.