HR 8556 118th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications

Clarifying E–Rate Act of 2024

Introduced: May 23, 2024 Introduced by: Schiff, Adam B. Democratic · California See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

May 31, 2024

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

May 23, 2024

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

May 23, 2024

Introduced in House

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Clarifying E–Rate Act of 2024

This bill provides statutory authority for the use of Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support program (E-Rate) funds for the provision of Wi-Fi access on school buses. (In a declaratory ruling titled Modernizing the E-Rate Program for Schools and Libraries and released on October 25, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) declared that the use of Wi-Fi and similar technologies on school buses serves an educational purpose and is therefore eligible for E-Rate funding. The policy effectively permits schools to receive discounted telecommunications service for use on school buses.)

The bill also directs the FCC to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking specifying any additional locations for which E-Rate funding may be used to support connectivity. The FCC must establish an annual process for considering additional eligible locations.

What's happening now May 31, 2024

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Committees of jurisdiction 2