# Plain Language Summary: Tribal Connect Act of 2023

This bill creates a new program to help Native American tribes get high-speed internet access to important community buildings on tribal lands. Right now, many tribal communities struggle to access federal funding that helps schools and libraries get broadband internet. This bill fixes that by establishing what's called the "Tribal Essential Community-Serving Institution Program," which would provide federal money specifically for bringing internet service to tribal government buildings, community centers, senior centers, and other public facilities that serve tribal members. The program would work similarly to existing federal programs that help bring broadband to rural and expensive-to-serve areas, and it would run as a pilot program through 2027.

The bill also requires the federal government to provide training and help to tribal schools, libraries, and community organizations so they can actually apply for and use these internet funding programs. Many tribes don't have the staff or expertise to navigate complicated federal applications, so the bill sets aside $25 million to pay for technical assistance and training. Additionally, $25 million would go to grants that help tribal institutions with the application process itself. This removes a major barrier that has prevented many tribes from accessing funds that were technically available to them but practically out of reach.

To make sure this program actually works, the bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to track which institutions are tribal-owned, set goals for getting broadband to all tribal students and community members, and report back to Congress every year about progress. The bill also caps spending on the pilot program at $300 million total, ensuring there's a defined budget. After the pilot program ends in 2027, tribal institutions that successfully got internet service through this program would then be able to continue accessing other existing federal broadband funding programs, creating a pathway to long-term connectivity rather than just temporary help.

Tribal Connect Act of 2023

Leger Fernandez, Teresa

Tribal Connect Act of 2023 This bill expands tribal access to the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support (E-rate) program, which provides discounted broadband internet access and telecommunications services to certain schools and libraries. It also establishes a pilot program to provide broadband internet access service to essential community-serving institutions (e.g., community centers) located on tribal land.