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In the 1990 census, The United States Census Breau began to notice a marked gap in the number of homes in rural and urban communities with reliable access to the internet. The Census Breau saw the gap widen in the 2000, 2010, and 2020 censuses. The Digital Divide became a concern, and the Cenus Breau working with academics, computer and technology experts, and the government, began to define and research the problem. -
The 2000 census illustrated the need for school-age children to have more Internet access in schools and homes. The Data collected showed that 10% of America Students had no internet access at home or school. Unsurprisingly the highest access point was in schools. In the census, only 34% of Americans living at or below the poverty line had reliable access to the internet at home. -
In 2015 the National Digital Inclusion Alliance was founded to research the Digital Divide. The organization sponsored grant programs to fund research and lobbied state and federal governments to receive funding and create policies to close the digital divide. NDIA actively promoted and lobbied for The Digital Equity Act. -
As early as 2017, lawmakers began to push for Federal Funding to close the digital divide. However, early bills never moved best a first or second read. The Senate believed Internet funding for communities and schools was a state issue. -
Former Representative now Senator Ben Ray Luján introduced H.R.4287 - Broadband Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2017 to the house. The bill sought to improve funding for broadband initiatives in the United States. The bill was voted down. -
In April 2019, U.S. Senator Patty Murry introduced the Digital Equity Act to Congress. The bill was read twice and referred to The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The bill dies in this committee. -
In February 2020, COVID-19 began to change the world. The pandemic forced people to work, learn, and live remotely. COVID-19 propelled digital equity and digital learning onto the world stage and the dockets of governments and courts. -
In June 2020, U.S. House of Representatives members began creating bills to combat the digital divide in the United States. The task continued until the passing of H.R.3684 - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021, which included the Digital Equity Act as part of the larger bill. -
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided state and local school districts with funds to help facilitate the move to online learning. The CARES Act helped representatives to push for The Digital Equity Act. However, even with The Cares Act, the bill did not pass. -
H.R.1700 - Broadband Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2021 was introduced to the House by Rep.Jerry McNerney. The bill sought to improve federal spending for Broadband infrastructure. The bill was introduced to the House and immediately voted down. -
Representative Jerry McNerney introduced.H.R.1841 - Digital Equity Act of 2021 to the United States House on 3/11/2021. The bill, built on the precious 2019 Senate bill, sought grant funding for marginalized communities to provide hotspots and WIFI in homes. On 3/11/21, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This committee referred the bill to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. On 3/12/21 and the bill died in committee.
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Rep. Jim Clyburn introduced this bill to the House the same day as H.R.1841 - Digital Equity Act of 2021was introduced. Like H.R. 1841, the bill sought funding for Broadband and internet expansion. The bill received two reads and was referred to Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit on 4/28/21. The bill died in committee. -
Finally, on 11/15/2021, the Digital Equity Act was in a roundabout way passed. The act was included in H.R.3684 - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Biden on 11/15/2021. Representative Peter A. DeFazio initially sponsored the bill, and became Public Law No 117-58. -
The Digital Equity Act included within the larger bill of H.R.3684 - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides three grants to improve Broadband and close the digital divide in the United States. -
The essential grant program created by the act is the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program. This $60,000,000 grant solely aims to provide money for states to create state-wide Digital Equity Plans. Only with a well-thought-out plan can states work towards digital equity. -
State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program is the second grant funded by the Digital Equity Act. This 1.44 billion grant will provide states with money to create plans for territories and tribal nations to create a digital equity plan. In order to receive the grant, the governmental entities must first apply for the State Digital Equity Planning Grant. State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program's sole purpose is to extend grant money beyond the 50 states to territories and tribal nations. -
Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program is a 1.25 billion grant program focusing on granting money to state governments and agencies promoting digital learning, creating digital materials, and targeting education. These grants focus on funding Open Educational Resource initiatives and Open Educational Programs. -
The Digital Equity Act, aside from funding three robust grant programs, also provides research grants and stipends to researchers researching the Digital Divide, Open education, or Open Educational Resources. -
What is next for the act? As the grant money is distributed and results are reported back, the Senate hopes to renew and refund the act. Undoubtedly, the act has and will do great work for the people of the United States.