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1 1 (March 30, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govecvj0001 and id is 1 raw text is: ongres ionf Rsearch Service Updated March 30, 2021 COVID-19 Response: Broadband Funding for Tribes, Tribal Colleges and Universities, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the Indian Health Service Three recent enacted laws that, in whole or in part, address the effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provided both direct and indirect broadband funding for American Indian tribes, tribal colleges and universities, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the Indian Health Service (collectively, tribal entities). They are the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, P.L. 116-136; Division N of Title IX of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA, 2021), P.L. 116-260; and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), P.L. 117-2. This In Focus lists major broadband programs funded by these three laws as well as potential additional funding in subsequently proposed legislation. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act The CARES Act provided tribal entities with funding for internet access, distance learning, and telehealth services. Institute of Museum and Library Services The CARES Act appropriated $50 million to the Institute of Museum and Library Services to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19, including grants to states, territories, and tribes to expand digital network access, purchase internet accessible devices, and provide technical support services. Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program (Department of Agriculture) The CARES Act appropriated $25 million to the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program. Federally recognized Indian tribes are eligible for this program. The application window for CARES Act funds closed in July 2020. ReConnect Broadband Pilot Program (Department of Agriculture) The CARES Act appropriated $100 million for grants to RUS under the ReConnect broadband pilot program. Federally recognized Indian tribes are eligible for this program. The application window for these funds closed in April 2020. Coronavirus Relief Fund, Tribal Governments Set-Aside (Department of the Treasury) The CARES Act appropriated $150 billion to the Coronavirus Relief Fund, with $8 billion reserved for tribal governments. Funds are to be used to cover only those costs of the state, tribal government, or unit of local government caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 30, 2020 (e.g., costs related to compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures, COVID-19 testing, disinfecting public areas). COVID-19 Telehealth Program (Federal Communications Commission) The CARES Act appropriated $200 million to the COVID- 19 Telehealth Program at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The program was established to help health care providers offer telehealth services to patients at their homes or mobile locations in response to the COVID- 19 pandemic, including health care providers located in a rural area on tribal lands, associated with an Indian tribe, or part of the Indian Health Service. The program supports the purchase of telecommunication equipment, information services, and connected devices. The FCC stopped accepting applications for the initial round of program funding on June 25, 2020; the CAA, 2021, appropriated an additional $249.95 million for Round 2 of the program. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Division N of the CAA, 2021, provided tribal entities with approximately $3.7 billion funding for two broadband grant programs, as well as an emergency benefit program to reduce individual payments for broadband services. Additional information on these programs is available in CRS Report R46701, The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Broadband Provisions: In Brief. COVID-19 Telehealth Program (Federal Communications Commission) As noted above, the CAA, 2021, appropriated an additional $249.95 million for Round 2 of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program established under the CARES Act. On March 30, 2021, the FCC adopted the rules to establish Round 2; the application window is expected to open by the end of April 2021. Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) The CAA, 2021, appropriated $285 million to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot https://crsreports~congress~gov 0unennnnuun

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