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S 3666 116th Congress Senate 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 7, 2020 Introduced by: Heinrich, Martin Democratic · New Mexico See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 7, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
May 7, 2020
Introduced in Senate
 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 7, 2020

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1