Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 1023
117th Congress(2021-2022)
Computer and Internet Access Equity Act
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Mar 25, 2021
Overview
Text
Introduced
Mar 25, 2021
Latest Action
Mar 25, 2021
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
1023
Congress
117
Policy Area
Science, Technology, Communications
Science, Technology, Communications
Primary focus of measure is natural sciences, space exploration, research policy and funding, research and development, STEM education, scientific cooperation and communication; technology policies, telecommunication, information technology; digital media, journalism. Measures concerning scientific education may fall under Education policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Illinois
Democrat
New Jersey
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Computer and Internet Access Equity Act

This bill increases broadband service support for low-income consumers, establishes a grant program to provide internet safety education or training, and provides a tax credit for certain computer and education costs.

Specifically, the bill modifies the broadband service support program known as Lifeline, which assists low-income consumers with access to telecommunications and broadband services, to (1) increase the amount of the payments that a provider of Lifeline services may receive for each low-income consumer to whom the provider supplies such services, (2) allow consumers with higher incomes to qualify for participation in the program, and (3) allow a broadband service provider to receive Lifeline support for providing such service to a low-income consumer without being designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier.

The bill also requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish a grant program to develop and implement internet education and training programs for low-income individuals.

Further, the bill provides a refundable tax credit, not to exceed $2,000 ($4,000 in the case of a joint return) in a taxable year or $10,000 in a lifetime ($20,000 in the case of a joint return), for amounts paid or incurred for computers, printers, and other education-related technology. The Department of the Treasury must establish a program for making advance payments of such credit to eligible individuals.

Text (1)
March 25, 2021
Actions (2)
03/25/2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S1828-1830)
03/25/2021
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:47:54 PM