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S. 3690 116th Congress Senate

Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020

Official title: A bill to provide for E-Rate support for Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and connected devices during emergency periods relating to COVID-19, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 12, 2020 Introduced by: Edward J. Markey Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAppropriationsCardiovascular and respiratory healthComputers and information technology
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Educational facilities and institutionsEducational technology and distance educationElementary and secondary educationEmergency medical services and trauma careFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Government trust fundsIndian social and development programsInfectious and parasitic diseasesLibraries and archivesMinority educationTelecommunication rates and feesTelephone and wireless communication
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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
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
May 12, 2020
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action May 12, 2020

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020

This bill establishes and provides funding for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, from which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must provide support for certain schools or libraries to purchase specified telecommunications equipment during the public health emergency declared because of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).

Specifically, the FCC shall provide funds to certain elementary schools, secondary schools, or libraries to purchase telecommunications equipment or services (e.g., Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, and routers) for use by students, staff, or patrons at locations that include locations other than the schools or libraries. Priority must be given to students, staff, or patrons who do not have access to such equipment or services.

Following the emergency period, funding recipients are authorized to use purchased equipment for appropriate purposes but may not sell or transfer such equipment for anything of value, except for upgraded equipment of the same type.

 Related & companion bills 4
  • HR 6800 The Heroes Act
  • HR 6563 Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020
  • S 4112 Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act
  • S 4131 Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 32
All 32 Democratic 30 Independent 2
D
Cantwell, Maria
Washington · Sep 15, 2020
 D
Baldwin, Tammy
Wisconsin · May 12, 2020
 D
Bennet, Michael F.
Colorado · May 12, 2020
 D
Blumenthal, Richard
Connecticut · May 12, 2020
 D
Booker, Cory A.
New Jersey · May 12, 2020
 D
Coons, Christopher A.
Delaware · May 12, 2020
 D
Cortez Masto, Catherine
Nevada · May 12, 2020
 D
Duckworth, Tammy
Illinois · May 12, 2020
 D
Durbin, Richard J.
Illinois · May 12, 2020
 D
Gillibrand, Kirsten E.
New York · May 12, 2020
 D
Hassan, Margaret Wood
New Hampshire · May 12, 2020
 D
Heinrich, Martin
New Mexico · May 12, 2020
 D
Hirono, Mazie K.
Hawaii · May 12, 2020
 D
Kaine, Tim
Virginia · May 12, 2020
 I
King, Angus S., Jr.
Maine · May 12, 2020
 D
Klobuchar, Amy
Minnesota · May 12, 2020
 D
Merkley, Jeff
Oregon · May 12, 2020
 D
Murphy, Christopher
Connecticut · May 12, 2020
 D
Murray, Patty
Washington · May 12, 2020
 D
Peters, Gary C.
Michigan · May 12, 2020
 D
Reed, Jack
Rhode Island · May 12, 2020
 D
Rosen, Jacky
Nevada · May 12, 2020
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · May 12, 2020
 D
Schatz, Brian
Hawaii · May 12, 2020
 D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · May 12, 2020
 D
Shaheen, Jeanne
New Hampshire · May 12, 2020
 D
Smith, Tina
Minnesota · May 12, 2020
 D
Van Hollen, Chris
Maryland · May 12, 2020
 D
Warner, Mark R.
Virginia · May 12, 2020
 D
Warren, Elizabeth
Massachusetts · May 12, 2020
 D
Whitehouse, Sheldon
Rhode Island · May 12, 2020
 D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · May 12, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 3690: Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3690/
MLA
"S. 3690: Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3690/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 3690, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3690/.
Markdown link
[S. 3690: Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3690/)
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