DI Policy

May 5, 2020

Governor Signs House Bill 1043

On May 4, Governor Roy Cooper passed House Bill 1043 that appropriates $1.57 billion of the $3.5 billion in federal coronavirus funds from the CARES Act. In response to COVID-19,…

May 5, 2020

Governor Signs Senate Bill 704

On May 4, Governor Roy Cooper passed Senate Bill 704. In response to COVID-19, digital inclusion-related policy is outlined below. Education: Public schools to develop a Remote Instruction Plan…

May 1, 2020

NC Senate Appropriations Bill Released on April 28

On April 28, the NC Senate released their “2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act” funding bill, which includes the following for digital inclusion: $25,000,000 for community colleges, some of which to be…

Apr 28, 2020

COVID-19 Economic Support Working Group Broadband Presentation

On Tuesday, April 21, Jeff Sural, Director of the Broadband Infrastructure Office at the North Carolina Department of Information Technology, spoke to the NC House COVID-19 Subcommittee meeting on Economic…

Apr 27, 2020

COVID-19 Education Working Group Digital Inclusion Updates

In March, House Speaker Tim Moore formed a select COVID-19 committee with four working groups focused on healthcare, education, economic support, and continuity of state operations. Last week these working…

Apr 27, 2020

COVID-19 Health Care Working Group Support for Telehealth

In March, House Speaker Tim Moore formed a select COVID-19 committee with four working groups focused on healthcare, education, economic support, and continuity of state operations. Last week these working…

Apr 15, 2020

North Carolina Broadband Legislative Tracker

The NC Rural Center’s Rural Counts program has created a robust legislative tracker tool to easily access information on broadband-related legislation being considered on Jones Street. IEI will pay close…

Apr 15, 2020

FCC Helping Americans Stay Connected

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is doing their part to help Americans Stay Connected during COVID-19, including: Waiving – on a temporary basis – certain rules related to universal service…

Apr 10, 2020

Digital Inclusion in the CARES Act

Digital Inclusion in the CARES Act Federal Updates The recently passed CARES Act has several provisions related to elements of digital inclusion. IEI will continue to review this legislation and…