Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act

Robert Menendez

Democrat · NJ · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Doris O. Matsui (D-CA-7)Original· 2026-03-16
• Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA-44)Original· 2026-03-16
• Troy A. Carter (D-LA-2)Original· 2026-03-16

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

2026-03-16

Source: Congress.gov

This bill would create a new council within the federal government to study and address gaps in how communications services and technology jobs are distributed across different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. The council would work to identify barriers that prevent certain communities from accessing broadband internet, phone service, and careers in the communications industry, and recommend ways to improve equity. This would affect telecommunications companies, internet providers, and communities that currently have limited access to reliable communications technology.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 7943 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7943 To establish within the Federal Communications Commission the Communications Equity and Diversity Council, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 16, 2026 Mr. Menendez (for himself, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Barragan, and Mr. Carter of Louisiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To establish within the Federal Communications Commission the Communications Equity and Diversity Council, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act''. SEC. 2. COMMUNICATIONS EQUITY AND DIVERSITY COUNCIL. (a) Establishment.--There is established within the Commission an advisory committee to be known as the Communications Equity and Diversity Council. (b) Duties.--The duties of the Council shall be the following: (1) To make recommendations to the Commission, including with respect to-- (A) advancing equity with respect to the provision of and access to communication services, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability; (B) assisting historically underserved individuals to benefit from communication services and opportunities made possible by such services; (C) accelerating the deployment to all communities of affordable and reliable communication services by reducing or removing regulatory barriers to infrastructure and investment; (D) accelerating the entry of small businesses, including those owned by historically underserved individuals, into industries relating to communication services; and (E) promoting, with respect to communication services, a diversity of voices, localism, economic competition, technological advancement, and the public interest, convenience, and necessity. (2) To provide a forum for stakeholders with respect to communication services, including with respect to the issues of-- (A) deployment; (B) affordability; (C) digital discrimination; (D) access to capital; (E) small business mentoring; (F) employment upskilling; (G) ownership diversity; and (H) procurement opportunities. (3) To develop data and examine industry trends and practices for purposes of carrying out each duty described in this subsection. (4) To carry out other tasks as determined appropriate by the Commission. (c) Membership.-- (1) Number and appointment.--The Council shall be composed of not fewer than 30 and not more than 35 members, each of whom shall be appointed by the Chair of the Commission. (2) Term.--Each member of the Council shall serve for a 2- year term. (3) Representation.--The members of the Council shall-- (A) be appointed in a manner that ensures the Council has the expertise and balance of viewpoints necessary to carry out the duties of the Council; and (B) include representatives of-- (i) historically underserved individuals; (ii) consumers; (iii) civil rights organizations; and (iv) industry stakeholders with respect to communication services. (4) Designated federal officer.-- (A) Appointment.--The Chair of the Commission shall appoint an employee of the Commission as the Designated Federal Officer for purposes of the Council. (B) Duties.--The Designated Federal Officer appointed under subparagraph (A) shall-- (i) call or approve each meeting of the Council; (ii) prepare and approve each meeting agenda; (iii) attend each meeting of the Council; (iv) adjourn each meeting of the Council once the Designated Federal Officer determines adjournment is in the public interest; and (v) chair each meeting of the Council when directed to do so by the Chair of the Commission. (5) Vacancies.--The Chair of the Commission shall fill any vacancy of the Council within 60 days from the date an appointment of the Council becomes vacant. (d) Meetings.-- (1)…

In general.--The Council shall meet not fewer than 3 times each year. (2) Open meeting requirements.--Each meeting of the Council shall-- (A) be open to the public; and (B) result in a deliverable, accessible to the public, including-- (i) any recommendation made to the Council; (ii) a summary of the meeting; (iii) meeting minutes; and (iv) a presentation of any topic discussed. (3) Notice.--Timely notice of each meeting of the Council shall be published in the Federal Register. (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $450,000 for fiscal year 2027. (f) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal Communications Commission. (2) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Communications Equity and Diversity Council established under subsection (a). (3) Communication service.--The term ``communication service'' means communication services subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission. (4) Historically underserved individual.--The term ``historically underserved individual'' means each of the following: (A) An individual of color. (B) A woman. (C) An individual who resides in a rural area. (D) A veteran. (E) An individual with a disability. (F) An individual adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. (5) Rural.--The term ``rural'' has the meaning given such term in section 54.600 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). <all>

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