Bill > HR6814

Introduced Session

Establishes and provides funds for the Emergency Higher Education Connectivity Fund. Specifically, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) must use the fund to support institutions of higher education (IHEs) in providing broadband internet access service, videoconferencing systems and services used for distance learning, and equipment (e.g., computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other one-time costs) to enrolled students during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The bill requires the NTIA, in consultation with the Department of Education, to promulgate regulations within 14 days related to support for IHEs. Among other things, the regulations must prioritize support for IHEs that receive certain institutional grants, including historically Black colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, and rural-serving institutions; require IHEs to prioritize support for students who are eligible for need-based financial aid; and establish a schedule of reasonable per-student funding amounts for eligible services and equipment.

Committee Categories

Anna Eshoo (D)*,  Alma Adams (D),  Joyce Beatty (D),  Lisa Blunt Rochester (D),  G. Butterfield (D),  Tony Cárdenas (D),  Joaquin Castro (D),  Peter DeFazio (D),  Mark DeSaulnier (D),  Bill Foster (D),  Marcia Fudge (D),  Raúl Grijalva (D),  Debra Haaland (D),  Jahana Hayes (D),  Jared Huffman (D),  Sheila Jackson-Lee (D),  Hank Johnson (D),  Bill Keating (D),  Barbara Lee (D),  Doris Matsui (D),  Grace Meng (D),  Eleanor Holmes Norton (D),  Michael San Nicolas (D),  Linda Sánchez (D),  Terri Sewell (D),  Albio Sires (D),  Bennie Thompson (D),  Filemón Vela (D), 

Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (on 05/12/2020)

Official Document