March 16, 2026
Mr. Menendez (for himself, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Barragán, and Mr. Carter of Louisiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
To establish within the Federal Communications Commission the Communications Equity and Diversity Council, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act
.
Sec. 2. Communications Equity and Diversity Council
(a) Establishment
There is established within the Commission an advisory committee to be known as the Communications Equity and Diversity Council.
(b) Duties
The duties of the Council shall be the following:
(1)
To make recommendations to the Commission, including with respect to—
(A)
advancing equity with respect to the provision of and access to communication services, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability;
(B)
assisting historically underserved individuals to benefit from communication services and opportunities made possible by such services;
(C)
accelerating the deployment to all communities of affordable and reliable communication services by reducing or removing regulatory barriers to infrastructure and investment;
(D)
accelerating the entry of small businesses, including those owned by historically underserved individuals, into industries relating to communication services; and
(E)
promoting, with respect to communication services, a diversity of voices, localism, economic competition, technological advancement, and the public interest, convenience, and necessity.
(2)
To provide a forum for stakeholders with respect to communication services, including with respect to the issues of—
(A)
deployment;
(B)
affordability;
(C)
digital discrimination;
(D)
access to capital;
(E)
small business mentoring;
(F)
employment upskilling;
(G)
ownership diversity; and
(H)
procurement opportunities.
(3)
To develop data and examine industry trends and practices for purposes of carrying out each duty described in this subsection.
(4)
To carry out other tasks as determined appropriate by the Commission.
(c) Membership
(1) Number and appointment
The Council shall be composed of not fewer than 30 and not more than 35 members, each of whom shall be appointed by the Chair of the Commission.
(2) Term
Each member of the Council shall serve for a 2-year term.
(3) Representation
The members of the Council shall—
(A)
be appointed in a manner that ensures the Council has the expertise and balance of viewpoints necessary to carry out the duties of the Council; and
(B)
include representatives of—
(i)
historically underserved individuals;
(ii)
consumers;
(iii)
civil rights organizations; and
(iv)
industry stakeholders with respect to communication services.
(4) Designated Federal Officer
(A) Appointment
The Chair of the Commission shall appoint an employee of the Commission as the Designated Federal Officer for purposes of the Council.
(B) Duties
The Designated Federal Officer appointed under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i)
call or approve each meeting of the Council;
(ii)
prepare and approve each meeting agenda;
(iii)
attend each meeting of the Council;
(iv)
adjourn each meeting of the Council once the Designated Federal Officer determines adjournment is in the public interest; and
(v)
chair each meeting of the Council when directed to do so by the Chair of the Commission.
(5) Vacancies
The Chair of the Commission shall fill any vacancy of the Council within 60 days from the date an appointment of the Council becomes vacant.
(d) Meetings
(1) In general
The Council shall meet not fewer than 3 times each year.
(2) Open meeting requirements
Each meeting of the Council shall—
(A)
be open to the public; and
(B)
result in a deliverable, accessible to the public, including—
(i)
any recommendation made to the Council;
(ii)
a summary of the meeting;
(iii)
meeting minutes; and
(iv)
a presentation of any topic discussed.
(3) Notice
Timely notice of each meeting of the Council shall be published in the Federal Register.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $450,000 for fiscal year 2027.
(f) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Commission
The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission.
(2) Council
The term Council means the Communications Equity and Diversity Council established under subsection (a).
(3) Communication service
The term communication service means communication services subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission.
(4) Historically underserved individual
The term historically underserved individual means each of the following:
(A)
An individual of color.
(B)
A woman.
(C)
An individual who resides in a rural area.
(D)
A veteran.
(E)
An individual with a disability.
(F)
An individual adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.
(5) Rural
The term rural has the meaning given such term in section 54.600 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).