Digital Opportunity Foundation Act of 2026
Latest action (20 May 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 8936, the Digital Opportunity Foundation Act of 2026, would direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a temporary five-member committee to create a new nonprofit organization called the Foundation for Digital Opportunity. The Foundation would be governed by a Board combining nonvoting federal officials (such as the Secretary of Commerce, the FCC Chairman, and other agency heads) with at least 15 appointed voting members drawn from academia, industry, nonprofits, government, community institutions, and philanthropy. The Foundation would seek private, philanthropic, and other non-federal funding to support digital literacy and broadband adoption programs, award grants, potentially create for-profit subsidiaries or investment funds, and coordinate with the Department of Commerce and FCC, while remaining legally separate from government.
The bill primarily affects communities with low rates of broadband or digital technology adoption, including covered populations defined under existing digital equity law, as well as community anchor institutions, minority-serving institutions, tribal governments, and older individuals. It would also involve federal officials in an oversight and coordination role without making the Foundation itself a government entity.
The bill was introduced on May 20, 2026, by Rep. Doris Matsui and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It has not yet been voted on, and further committee action would be required before it could advance to the full House.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on May 20, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8936 do?
- H.R. 8936, the Digital Opportunity Foundation Act of 2026, would direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a temporary five-member committee to create a new nonprofit organization called the Foundation for Digital Opportunity. The Foundation would be governed by a Board combining nonvoting federal officials (such as the Secretary of Commerce, the FCC Chairman, and other agency heads) with at least 15 appointed voting members drawn from academia, industry, nonprofits, government, community institutions, and philanthropy. The Foundation would seek private, philanthropic, and other non-federal funding to support digital literacy and broadband adoption programs, award grants, potentially create for-profit subsidiaries or investment funds, and coordinate with the Department of Commerce and FCC, while remaining legally separate from government. The bill primarily affects communities with low rates of broadband or digital technology adoption, including covered populations defined under existing digital equity law, as well as community anchor institutions, minority-serving institutions, tribal governments, and older individuals. It would also involve federal officials in an oversight and coordination role without making the Foundation itself a government entity. The bill was introduced on May 20, 2026, by Rep. Doris Matsui and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It has not yet been voted on, and further committee action would be required before it could advance to the full House.
- Has H.R. 8936 become law?
- Not yet. As of 20 May 2026, H.R. 8936 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8936?
- H.R. 8936 was sponsored by Rep. Doris Matsui [D-CA7] (Democrat-CA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8936?
- Introduced (20 May 2026).
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