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S 856 118th Congress Senate Science, Technology, Communications

FAIR Contributions Act

Introduced: March 16, 2023 Introduced by: Wicker, Roger F. Republican · Mississippi See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 118th Congress ended
It never became law before the 118th Congress (2023–2024) 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
Mar 16, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Mar 16, 2023
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Funding Affordable Internet with Reliable Contributions Act or the FAIR Contributions Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to study and report on the feasibility of funding the Universal Service Fund through contributions from edge providers (i.e., providers of online content or services, such as search engines).

The fund provides support for broadband and other telecommunications services to high-cost areas, schools and libraries, rural health care facilities, and the Lifeline program (an FCC program that provides a discount on phone and internet services for low-income consumers).

The report must consider (1) the type and size of firms and services on which contributions could be assessed, (2) equity issues related to current versus alternative systems for contributing to the fund, (3) the effect of any change to the contribution system on the telecommunications bills of consumers, and (4) the sustainability of the fund and how to ensure that fund disbursements are consistent and predictable over time.

What's happening now March 16, 2023

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

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 5
All 5 Democratic 2 Republican 3
R
Barrasso, John
Wyoming · Apr 18, 2023
 R
Crapo, Mike
Idaho · Apr 18, 2023
 D
Kelly, Mark
Arizona · Mar 16, 2023
 D
Luján, Ben Ray
New Mexico · Mar 16, 2023
 R
Young, Todd
Indiana · Mar 16, 2023
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 856: FAIR Contributions Act. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-856/
MLA
"S. 856: FAIR Contributions Act." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-856/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 856, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-856/.
Markdown link
[S. 856: FAIR Contributions Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-856/)
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