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) give up to $83.33 per month to a provider of Lifeline services for each low-income consumer to whom the provider supplies such services, (2) allow consumers with household incomes that are at or below 435% (rather than 135%) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines 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 an eligible telecommunications carrier. The bill also requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish a grant program to develop and implement internet safety education or training programs for low-income individuals. Further, the bill provides a tax credit, not to exceed $2,000 in a taxable year or $10,000 in a lifetime, for amounts paid or incurred for technology such as computers and printers and for education on how to use such technology. The Department of the Treasury must establish a program for making advance payments of this credit.
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAssault and harassment offensesCommunity life and organizationComputers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightConsumer affairsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Foreign language and bilingual programsGovernment information and archivesIncome tax creditsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaMarketing and advertisingPoverty and welfare assistanceRight of privacyTax administration and collection, taxpayersTelecommunication rates and fees
Computer and Internet Access Equity Act
USA116th CongressS-3924| Senate
| Updated: 6/9/2020
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) give up to $83.33 per month to a provider of Lifeline services for each low-income consumer to whom the provider supplies such services, (2) allow consumers with household incomes that are at or below 435% (rather than 135%) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines 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 an eligible telecommunications carrier. The bill also requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish a grant program to develop and implement internet safety education or training programs for low-income individuals. Further, the bill provides a tax credit, not to exceed $2,000 in a taxable year or $10,000 in a lifetime, for amounts paid or incurred for technology such as computers and printers and for education on how to use such technology. The Department of the Treasury must establish a program for making advance payments of this credit.
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAssault and harassment offensesCommunity life and organizationComputers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightConsumer affairsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Foreign language and bilingual programsGovernment information and archivesIncome tax creditsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaMarketing and advertisingPoverty and welfare assistanceRight of privacyTax administration and collection, taxpayersTelecommunication rates and fees