Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act

119 HR 7943 IH: Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-03-16 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7943 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 16, 2026 Mr. Menendez (for himself, Ms. Matsui , Ms. Barragán , 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. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act . 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).