H.R. 1590 – Tribal Internet Expansion Act of 2021

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Updated February 7, 2026 at 11:48 PM UTC

The Tribal Internet Expansion Act of 2021 amends the Communications Act of 1934 to include Indian country and areas with high populations of Indian people in the universal service definition. This change aims to extend federal support for telecommunications and internet services to those communities, similar to existing support for rural, insular, and high‑cost areas. It affects residents of Indian country and densely Indian‑populated regions, as well as the agencies that administer universal service programs.

Key Provisions

Amends Section 254(b)(3) of the Communications Act to add “and in Indian country … and areas with high populations of Indian people” after the phrase “high cost areas,” thereby extending universal service eligibility to those locations.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Communications and Technology Subcommittee

March 4, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 3, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

March 3, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Communications and Technology Subcommittee

March 4, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 3, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1590

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 3, 2021

Mr. Ruiz introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to add access to telecommunications and information services in Indian country and areas with high populations of Indian people to the universal service principle relating to access to such services in rural, insular, and high cost areas.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Tribal Internet Expansion Act of 2021.

2.

Universal service in Indian country and areas with high populations of Indian people

Section 254(b)(3) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(b)(3)) is amended by inserting and in Indian country (as defined in section 1151 of title 18, United States Code) and areas with high populations of Indian (as defined in section 19 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (Chapter 576; 48 Stat. 988; 25 U.S.C. 5129)) people after high cost areas.