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 12, 2020 See on congress.gov

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

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.

Committees of jurisdiction 1