[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S1794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. UDALL (for himself, Mr. Gardner, Ms. Cortez Masto, and Mr. 
        Whitehouse):
  S. 738. A bill to require the Federal Communications Commission to 
make the provision of Wi-Fi access on school buses eligible for E-rate 
support; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. UDALL. Mr. President, the Federal Communications Commission 
Schools and Libraries program, commonly known as E-Rate, has helped 
connect our schools and libraries to high-speed broadband. Recent 
changes allowed for schools to pay for Wi-Fi on campuses, recognizing 
that students are using laptops and other devices for learning. This 
bill, cosponsored by my friends Senators Gardner, Cortez Masto, and 
Whitehouse, would allow schools to receive reimbursement for Wi-Fi on 
school buses--an idea inspired by a New Mexico high school student. A 
few years ago, a football player from Hatch Valley High School in 
Hatch, New Mexico told me how, after being on a bus for hours after a 
game, he would sit in the dark parking lot of his school doing his 
homework--because he didn't have high-speed broadband at home. Making 
Wi-Fi available on school buses is one piece to solving the homework 
gap--especially in rural areas. Adequate internet is an absolute 
necessity in this day and age. And I will continue to work with my 
colleagues to make sure every home in the country has adequate internet 
access.
  Mr. UDALL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 738

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. E-RATE SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL BUS WI-FI.

       (a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``school bus'' 
     means a passenger motor vehicle that is--
       (1) designed to carry a driver and not less than 5 
     passengers; and
       (2) used significantly to transport early child education, 
     elementary school, or secondary school students to or from 
     school or an event related to school.
       (b) Rulemaking.--Notwithstanding the limitations under 
     paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(A) of section 254(h) of the 
     Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(h)) regarding the 
     authorized recipients and uses of discounted 
     telecommunications services, not later than 180 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications 
     Commission shall commence a rulemaking to make the provision 
     of Wi-Fi access on school buses eligible for support under 
     the E-rate program of the Commission set forth under subpart 
     F of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations.

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