PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Apr 24, 2001
Native American Telecommunications Improvement and Value Enhancement Act - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to make loans to eligible Indian tribes, or tribal entities that have entered into a partnership with a telecommunications carrier, to enable such tribes to provide for the development of telecommunications infrastructure (wireline or wireless) on lands under their jurisdiction. Outlines tribal eligibility requirements, including submission of a telecommunications plan.Establishes in the Treasury the Native American Telecommunications Improvement Revolving Fund to make loans and award grants to eligible tribes. Limits loan interest rates dependent upon tribal per capita income.Directs the Secretary to award grants to enable tribes to conduct feasibility studies with respect to telecommunications projects. Limits grants to $200,000.Terminates the program on the earlier of: (1) ten years after the first loan is made; or (2) the date on which the Secretary determines that the telecommunications penetration rate is at least 90 percent of all households on reservation lands.
People & committees
Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] · D–MT
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
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Source last updated: Aug 19, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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