← Back to Bills
S. 724Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

A bill to require the Federal Communications Commission to make the provision of Wi-Fi access on school buses eligible for E-rate support.

Sponsored by Ben Ray LujánSen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM)
Introduced March 11, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 12:10 AM UTC

The bill directs the Federal Communications Commission to allow schools to use E‑rate funding for providing Wi‑Fi on school buses. It defines a school bus as a vehicle carrying a driver and at least five students for school‑related transportation. The change would let school districts apply discounted telecommunications support to equip buses with internet access, benefiting students who travel to and from school.

Key Provisions

  • Defines "school bus" as a passenger vehicle carrying a driver and at least five students for school‑related trips.
  • Requires the FCC, within 180 days of enactment, to start rulemaking that makes Wi‑Fi on school buses eligible for E‑rate program support, overriding existing limitations on eligible recipients and uses.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

March 11, 2021

View full timeline
SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 11, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

March 11, 2021

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode
Latest
Raw Text PDF XML
Introduced in SenateIssued March 11, 2021

II

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 724

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 11, 2021

Mr. Luján (for himself, Mr. Graham, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Booker, Mr. Markey, Mr. Wyden, and Ms. Sinema) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

A BILL

To require the Federal Communications Commission to make the provision of Wi-Fi access on school buses eligible for E-rate support.

1.

E-rate support for school bus Wi-Fi

(a)

Definition

In this section, the term school bus means a passenger motor vehicle that is—

(1)

designed to carry a driver and not less than 5 passengers; and

(2)

used significantly to transport early child education, elementary school, or secondary school students to or from school or an event related to school.

(b)

Rulemaking

Notwithstanding the limitations under paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(A) of section 254(h) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(h)) regarding the authorized recipients and uses of discounted telecommunications services, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall commence a rulemaking to make the provision of Wi-Fi access on school buses eligible for support under the E-rate program of the Commission set forth under subpart F of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations.