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HR 6819 116th Congress House Native Americans Alaska Natives and Hawaiians Appropriations Hawaii Housing and community development funding Indian lands and resources rights Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Minority and disadvantaged businesses Radio spectrum allocation Telephone and wireless communication

COVID–19 DISASTER in Indian Country Act

Introduced: May 15, 2020 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 12, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
May 12, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

COVID-19 Designation of Immediate Special Authority of Spectrum for Tribes' Emergency Response in Indian Country Act or the COVID-19 DISASTER in Indian Country Act

This bill grants emergency special temporary authority and provides funds to deploy wireless broadband service on tribal lands and Hawaiian home lands.

Specifically, the bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to grant emergency special temporary authority to Indian tribes, certain tribal entities, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands if they request such authority to use electromagnetic spectrum to provide wireless broadband service over tribal lands or Hawaiian home lands. The FCC must grant such emergency authority within 10 days of receiving a request.

In addition, the bill provides funds to specified Department of Agriculture grant programs for (1) immediate deployment of wireless broadband service on tribal lands and Hawaiian home lands, including repairs to damaged infrastructure and backhaul costs; and (2) technical assistance and training.

What's happening now May 12, 2020

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6819: COVID–19 DISASTER in Indian Country Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6819/
MLA
"H.R. 6819: COVID–19 DISASTER in Indian Country Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6819/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6819, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6819/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6819: COVID–19 DISASTER in Indian Country Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6819/)
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