Title: Internet Development for Tribes Act of 2020
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Internet Development for Tribes Act of 2020
This bill establishes requirements to assist tribal entities with access to spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band.
Specifically, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may not (1) impose a build-out or performance requirement on certain tribal entities that hold licenses for spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band, or (2) cancel or terminate a license if the licensee fails to meet any construction or performance benchmark.
The FCC must, upon request, provide technical assistance and guidance on the most effective use of the 2.5 GHz band for wireless and broadband services. Further, the FCC must award grants to these license holders for technical assistance and acquisition of appropriate equipment and services related to the use of the 2.5 GHz band, respectively.
The Government Accountability Office must determine whether the federal government possesses surplus equipment that can be used to access the 2.5 GHz band. If surplus equipment is found, each federal agency possessing surplus must transfer it to the FCC for distribution to tribal license holders to aid in their deployment of broadband service.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4750 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 4750

  To assist Tribal entities in deploying broadband using the 2.5 GHz 
                             spectrum band.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 29, 2020

 Mr. Heinrich introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
   referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To assist Tribal entities in deploying broadband using the 2.5 GHz 
                             spectrum band.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Internet Development for Tribes Act 
of 2020''.

SEC. 2. USE OF 2.5 GHZ SPECTRUM BAND BY TRIBAL ENTITIES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section--
            (1) the term ``Commission'' means the Federal 
        Communications Commission;
            (2) the term ``covered license'' means a license acquired 
        in the Rural Tribal Priority Window;
            (3) the term ``covered licensee'' means the holder of a 
        covered license; and
            (4) the term ``Rural Tribal Priority Window'' means the 
        priority filing window for Tribal entities to obtain licenses 
        for spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band established in the Report and 
        Order in the matter of Transforming the 2.5 GHz Band adopted by 
        the Commission on July 10, 2019 (FCC 19-62).
    (b) Preservation of Tribal Licenses.--The Commission may not--
            (1) impose any build-out or performance requirement on a 
        covered licensee; or
            (2) cancel or terminate a covered license if a covered 
        licensee fails to meet any construction or performance 
        benchmark.
    (c) Technical Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--At the request of a covered licensee, the 
        Commission shall provide technical assistance and guidance 
        regarding the most effective use of the 2.5 GHz band for 
        wireless and broadband services, including with respect to--
                    (A) infrastructure acquisition and development;
                    (B) digital literacy services;
                    (C) managerial best practices; and
                    (D) how to expedite the deployment of broadband.
            (2) Technical assistance grants.--The Commission shall 
        award technical assistance grants to covered licensees, on a 
        competitive basis, to obtain assistance in identifying 
        financial resources, improving broadband functions, increasing 
        digital literacy, and acquiring professional consultation 
        related to use of the 2.5 GHz band.
    (d) Equipment Acquisition Grants.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall award grants to 
        covered licensees, on a competitive basis, for the acquisition 
        of appropriate equipment and services related to use of the 2.5 
        GHz band, including--
                    (A) appropriate backhaul infrastructure and edge 
                devices;
                    (B) educational equipment, such as laptops;
                    (C) installment of equipment (other than 
                educational equipment) or required permitting and 
                right-of-way services; and
                    (D) any other type of equipment or service 
                identified by the Commission in consultation with the 
                Office of Native Affairs and Policy of the Commission 
                and the Native Nations Communications Task Force.
            (2) Duration of grant.--A grant awarded under paragraph (1) 
        shall be for a period of 2 years.
            (3) Application.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, a covered licensee seeking a grant under 
        paragraph (1) shall submit an application to the Commission in 
        such manner, and containing such information, as the Commission 
        may require.
            (4) Consultation.--In developing the grant program under 
        this subsection, including criteria for applications under 
        paragraph (3), the Commission shall consult with the Office of 
        Native Affairs and Policy of the Commission and the Native 
        Nations Communications Task Force.
    (e) Surplus Equipment.--
            (1) GAO report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
        States shall assess and submit to Congress a report on whether 
        the Federal Government possesses any surplus equipment that can 
        be used to access the 2.5 GHz band.
            (2) Transfer to fcc.--If the Comptroller General finds 
        under paragraph (1) that the Federal Government possesses 
        surplus equipment that can be used to access the 2.5 GHz band--
                    (A) each Federal agency that is found to have such 
                surplus equipment shall transfer the equipment to the 
                Commission; and
                    (B) the Commission shall distribute the equipment 
                to covered licensees to aid the licensees in deploying 
                broadband service using the 2.5 GHz band.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Commission--
            (1) $25,000,000 for technical assistance grants under 
        subsection (c)(2); and
            (2) $100,000,000 for equipment acquisition grants under 
        subsection (d).
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