Digital Opportunity Foundation Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]
Introduced
Summary
would establish a nonprofit Foundation to promote digital opportunity and boost broadband adoption for communities with low adoption and coordinate with federal, state, Tribal, and private partners to expand digital literacy and access. The Foundation would raise and match public and private funds, run grants and training programs, and align with NTIA and FCC programs to increase use of broadband for telehealth, distance learning, and online services.
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- Families and households in underserved areas would gain new grant-funded programs aimed at digital literacy, device access, and skills training to support telehealth, distance learning, and online access to benefits. These programs are targeted at communities with low adoption rates.
- Tribal, rural, and state or local governments would get a formal partner that coordinates with the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program to boost adoption and outreach. The Foundation may mobilize federal, state, and private resources to support those efforts.
- Nonprofits, universities, and community groups could compete for grants awarded through transparent merit-based processes that emphasize equity, demonstrated need, and cost effectiveness. The Board must be appointed with diverse sector representation and appointed members may serve up to five years per term.
*Authorizations are included for funds to form the initial Committee in FY2027 and to support Foundation operations beginning in FY2028 and thereafter.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Grants to boost internet skills
If enacted, the Foundation would be able to award grants to local groups to improve internet skills and increase broadband adoption. Grants would be picked by merit and factors like expected impact on digital inclusion, geographic reach, cost‑effectiveness, and alignment with the Foundation’s plan. The Foundation would also be able to run studies, competitions, demonstration projects, and training programs. The Foundation could work with federal agencies to use existing assets and expertise to support these projects.
Foundation board rules and audits
If enacted, the Foundation’s Board would have to write bylaws and standards on donations, limits on donor designations, and ownership and licensing of inventions from Foundation projects. The Board would adopt ethics, financial disclosure, and conflict‑of‑interest rules that bar members from acting on matters that affect their or close relatives’ finances. Board members would not be paid but could be reimbursed for travel and necessary expenses, and terms and vacancy rules would be set. The Foundation would have annual audits, must publish a public report one year after start and every two years after, and the Comptroller General would review it five years after start and every five years afterward.
Private nonprofit to expand digital access
If enacted, the bill would create a private nonprofit called the Foundation for Digital Opportunity and require it to seek 501(c) tax‑exempt status. The United States would not be liable for the Foundation’s debts or defaults, and the Foundation’s obligations would not carry the federal full faith and credit. The Secretary would have to form a five‑member Committee within 90 days to incorporate the Foundation and appoint initial voting board members; the Committee would finish its work within about 180 days. The Federal Advisory Committee Act would not apply to the Foundation.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]
CA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov