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S. 696Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Connected Rural Schools Act

Sponsored by Catherine Cortez MastoSen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Introduced March 10, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 12:03 AM UTC

The Connected Rural Schools Act amends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self‑Determination Act of 2000 to let counties use certain federal funds for broadband and technology projects. It aims to improve internet access and digital learning tools for students in rural schools. The changes affect counties that receive these funds and the schools and students they serve.

Key Provisions

  • Adds a new allowable use (paragraph (5)) for Secure Rural Schools funds to provide or expand broadband telecommunications services at local schools
  • Allows the same funds to support the technology and connectivity needed for students to use digital learning tools on or off school campuses

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

March 10, 2021

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 10, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

March 10, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued March 10, 2021

II

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 696

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 10, 2021

Ms. Cortez Masto (for herself, Mr. Romney, Mr. Manchin, and Mr. Boozman) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To amend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to allow counties to use certain funds to provide or expand access to broadband telecommunications services and other technologies.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Connected Rural Schools Act.

2.

Access to broadband and other technology

Section 302(a) of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 7142(a)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (3), by striking and at the end;

(2)

in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(5)

to provide or expand access to—

(A)

broadband telecommunications services at local schools; or

(B)

the technology and connectivity necessary for students to use a digital learning tool at or outside of a local school campus.

.