CA AR125

Urges Congress to pass legislation dedicating a substantial portion of future spectrum auction proceeds to endow a Digital Equity Foundation focused on digital literacy and inclusion programs.

Identifies that more than one in five Americans lack broadband access, with subscription rates particularly low among seniors (83%), low-income households (76%), and those without bachelor's degrees (80%).

Proposes that a federally chartered, independent foundation receive $30 to $50 billion or more from future spectrum auctions to fund digital literacy training, community navigator programs, telehealth access, and assistance with federal affordability programs.

Notes that spectrum auctions have generated over $200 billion since the 1990s and over $100 billion in 2021 alone, establishing precedent for using public resource revenues for national priorities like FirstNet (2012).

Requests that Congress renew the Federal Communications Commission's auction authority in 2022 and designate foundation revenues for sustainable, year-after-year investments to address digital equity gaps across underserved communities.