Computer and Internet Access Equity Act
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in house (Mar 26, 2021)
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.
What just happenedMar 29, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Who’s behind it
- Introduced in HouseMar 26, 2021
- Mar 29, 2021Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Communications and Technology Subcommittee - Mar 26, 2021IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
Ways and Means Committee - Mar 26, 2021IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
Energy and Commerce Committee - Mar 26, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H
Introduced in House
- Mar 26, 2021IntroReferral1000
Introduced in House