Digital Opportunity Foundation Act of 2026
Latest action (20 May 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
The Digital Opportunity Foundation Act of 2026 would direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a temporary committee that creates a new nonprofit organization, the Foundation for Digital Opportunity. This Foundation would work alongside the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission—without replacing their work—to expand broadband adoption, digital literacy, and digital inclusion, particularly among underserved populations such as rural, Tribal, older, and low-income communities. It would be governed by a Board including nonvoting federal officials and at least 15 voting members drawn from academia, industry, nonprofits, government, community institutions, and philanthropy. The Foundation could award grants, fund studies and training, convene stakeholders, and even create for-profit subsidiaries, such as impact investment funds, to support digital-inclusion projects and startups.
The bill primarily affects federal agencies involved in telecommunications policy, nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, educational institutions, state, local, and Tribal governments, and communities with limited broadband access or digital skills. It aims to supplement existing federal broadband programs, including the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, by mobilizing private and philanthropic funding rather than relying solely on federal appropriations.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 20, 2026, by Senator Ben Ray Luján with Senator Edward Markey as a cosponsor, and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. As an introduced bill, it would need committee consideration, floor votes in both chambers, and the President’s signature before becoming law.
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 S. 4592 do?
- The Digital Opportunity Foundation Act of 2026 would direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a temporary committee that creates a new nonprofit organization, the Foundation for Digital Opportunity. This Foundation would work alongside the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission—without replacing their work—to expand broadband adoption, digital literacy, and digital inclusion, particularly among underserved populations such as rural, Tribal, older, and low-income communities. It would be governed by a Board including nonvoting federal officials and at least 15 voting members drawn from academia, industry, nonprofits, government, community institutions, and philanthropy. The Foundation could award grants, fund studies and training, convene stakeholders, and even create for-profit subsidiaries, such as impact investment funds, to support digital-inclusion projects and startups. The bill primarily affects federal agencies involved in telecommunications policy, nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, educational institutions, state, local, and Tribal governments, and communities with limited broadband access or digital skills. It aims to supplement existing federal broadband programs, including the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, by mobilizing private and philanthropic funding rather than relying solely on federal appropriations. The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 20, 2026, by Senator Ben Ray Luján with Senator Edward Markey as a cosponsor, and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. As an introduced bill, it would need committee consideration, floor votes in both chambers, and the President’s signature before becoming law.
- Has S. 4592 become law?
- Not yet. As of 20 May 2026, S. 4592 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 4592?
- S. 4592 was sponsored by Sen. Ben Ray Luján [D-NM] (Democrat-NM), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 4592?
- Introduced (20 May 2026).
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