Sec. 31123. Policy research, data collection, analysis and modeling, evaluation, and dissemination
674 words·~3 min read·
/bill/116/hr/2/eh/section-31123A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Assistant Secretary begins awarding grants under section 31121(d), and annually thereafter, the Assistant Secretary shall— submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that documents, for the year covered by the report— the findings of each evaluation conducted under subparagraph (B); a list of each grant awarded under each covered program, which shall include— the amount of each such grant; the recipient of each such grant; and the purpose for which each such grant was awarded; any termination or modification of a grant awarded under the covered programs, which shall include a description of the subsequent usage of any funds to which such an action applies; and each challenge made by an applicant for, or a recipient of, a grant under the covered programs and the outcome of each such challenge; and conduct evaluations of the activities carried out under the covered programs, which shall include an evaluation of— whether eligible States to which grants are awarded under the program established under section 31121 are— abiding by the assurances made by those States under subsection
(e)of that section; meeting, or have met, the stated goals of the State Digital Equity Plans developed by the States under subsection
(c)of that section; satisfying the requirements imposed by the Assistant Secretary on those States under subsection
(g)of that section; and in compliance with any other rules, requirements, or regulations promulgated by the Assistant Secretary in implementing that program; and whether entities to which grants are awarded under the program established under section 31122 are— abiding by the assurances made by those entities under subsection
(f)of that section; meeting, or have met, the stated goals of those entities with respect to the use of the grant amounts; satisfying the requirements imposed by the Assistant Secretary on those entities under subsection
(h)of that section; and in compliance with any other rules, requirements, or regulations promulgated by the Assistant Secretary in implementing that program. The Assistant Secretary shall make each report submitted under paragraph (1)(A) publicly available in an online format that— facilitates access and ease of use; is searchable; and is accessible— to individuals with disabilities; and in languages other than English. The Assistant Secretary may award grants and enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and other arrangements with Federal agencies, public and private organizations, and other entities with expertise that the Assistant Secretary determines appropriate in order to— evaluate the impact and efficacy of activities supported by grants awarded under the covered programs; and develop, catalog, disseminate, and promote the exchange of best practices, both with respect to and independent of the covered programs, in order to achieve digital equity. In carrying out subsection (a), and to further the objectives described in paragraphs
(1)and
(2)of subsection (b), the Assistant Secretary shall conduct ongoing collaboration and consult with— the Secretary of Agriculture; the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; the Secretary of Education; the Secretary of Labor; the Secretary of Health and Human Services; the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; the Secretary of the Interior; the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior; the Commission; the Federal Trade Commission; the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services; the Administrator of the Small Business Administration; the Federal Cochairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission; State agencies and governors of States (or equivalent officials); entities serving as administering entities for States under section 31121(b); national, State, Tribal, and local organizations that conduct digital inclusion activities, promote digital equity, or provide digital literacy services; researchers, academics, and philanthropic organizations; and other agencies, organizations (including international organizations), entities (including entities with expertise in the fields of data collection, analysis and modeling, and evaluation), and community stakeholders, as determined appropriate by the Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary shall provide technical support and assistance to potential applicants for the covered programs and entities awarded grants under the covered programs, to ensure consistency in data reporting and to meet the objectives of this section.