Internet Development for Tribes Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4750
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2020-09-29
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Latest action: action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-09-29
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Internet Development for Tribes Act of 2020</b></p> <p>This bill establishes requirements to assist tribal entities with access to spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4750 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.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Internet Development for Tribes Act of 2020 . 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).