Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7943

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-03-16: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-04-02T19:24:29Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act (H.R. 7943) aims to create an advisory committee within the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) called the Communications Equity and Diversity Council. This council would advise the FCC on promoting equity, diversity, and access to communication services (like broadband and telecom) for underserved groups, while supporting industry growth and competition.

Key Provisions

• Establishment: Creates the Council as an FCC advisory committee.
• Duties:
• Recommend ways to advance fair access to services without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability.
• Help historically underserved people (e.g., people of color, women, rural residents, veterans, those with disabilities, or those affected by poverty) benefit from communication services.
• Speed up deployment of affordable, reliable services by reducing regulatory barriers.
• Support small businesses, especially those owned by underserved individuals, entering the communications industry.
• Promote diverse voices, local content, competition, innovation, and public interest.
• Serve as a forum for stakeholders on issues like deployment, affordability, digital discrimination (unfair treatment in digital services), access to funding, mentoring, job training, ownership diversity, and procurement.
• Gather data on industry trends.
• Handle other tasks assigned by the FCC.
• Membership: 30–35 members appointed by the FCC Chair for 2-year terms; must include experts with balanced views, plus reps from underserved groups, consumers, civil rights organizations, and industry.
• Operations:
• Designated Federal Officer (FCC employee) oversees meetings.
• At least 3 public meetings per year, with public notices in the Federal Register and public deliverables (recommendations, summaries, minutes).
• Vacancies filled within 60 days.
• Funding: Authorizes $450,000 for fiscal year 2027.
• Definitions:
• Historically underserved individual: Includes people of color, women, rural residents, veterans, those with disabilities, or those impacted by ongoing poverty/inequality.
• Rural: As defined in FCC regulations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a new advisory council within the FCC; no amendments to prior laws mentioned.
• Builds on FCC authority over communication services but adds a dedicated body for equity and diversity recommendations.

Potential Impacts

• FCC: Gains advisory input to shape policies on broadband access, infrastructure, and small business support; minor administrative burden with dedicated funding.
• Citizens: Could improve access and affordability for underserved communities, reducing digital divides.
• Industry: May accelerate infrastructure deployment and small business entry, fostering competition and diversity.
• No direct international effects noted.

Main Stakeholders

• FCC (oversees council).
• Historically underserved individuals and communities (people of color, women, rural residents, veterans, disabled persons, low-income groups).
• Consumers and civil rights organizations.
• Industry stakeholders (telecom providers, small businesses).
• Small business owners in communications.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Operates as a federal advisory committee (likely under the Federal Advisory Committee Act), with non-binding recommendations; emphasizes transparency via public meetings.
• Constitutional: Aligns with FCC's regulatory role under the Communications Act; promotes equal protection without mandating quotas.
• Political: Focuses on equity and diversity in telecom; bipartisan sponsors (e.g., Reps. Menendez, Matsui, Barragán, Carter) suggest cross-party support for bridging digital gaps.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-16: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2026-03-16: Introduced in House
• 2026-03-16: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act — issued 2026-03-16 — PDF (7 pages)