<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div></div><div>Greetings,</div><div><br></div><div>Many folks in the library community may be following the FCC proposed rulemaking regarding E-Rate, but this message from Lorrie Germann, our E-Rate consultant, bears repeating. </div><div><br></div><div>There have been many other pressing concerns for Ohio libraries recently--not the least of which are the many natural disasters across the state--but we have seen once again how much patrons rely on libraries for shelter and connectivity during the most difficult of days. OPLIN provides internet to Ohio public libraries through a combination of state funding and the E-Rate program, and the $1.5 million we receive in E-Rate funding is critical to providing that connectivity for your communities.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to the information Lorrie provides below regarding the proposed rule changes, OPLIN also has an <a href="https://www.oplin.ohio.gov/e-rate-at-risk" target="_blank">informational page</a> on our website. Please let us know if you have questions about how the proposed changes might affect your library.</div><div><br></div><div>Best wishes,</div><div><br></div><div>Christine</div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div>--</div><div>Christine Morris (she/her)<br></div><div>Digital Resources Manager<br></div><div>Ohio Public Library Information Network</div><div><a href="mailto:christine@oplin.ohio.gov" target="_blank">christine@oplin.ohio.gov</a></div><div>614-728-5252 (OPLIN Support)</div><div>614-728-0227 (direct)<br></div></div></div></div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Lorrie Germann</b> <span dir="auto"><e-rate@ohio-k12.help></span><br>Subject: FCC NPRM Proposing Major Changes to E-Rate Program Now Published in The Federal Register</div><br><div>
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Hello E-Rate Community,<br><br>
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As previously mentioned, the FCC released two E-Rate NPRMs — a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for “<b>Ensuring Children’s Safe Use of Screens and E-Rate-Funded Services” </b>and <b>“Promoting Fair and Open Competitive Bidding in the E-Rate Program</b>.”<span> </span><span> </span><br><br>
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The final Notices (<a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjkxIiwiODk5YTU2ZmM1MGZiIixmYWxzZV0" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">FCC-26-41</a>) have now been published in the <i>Federal Register</i>, which starts the initial 60-day public comment period, followed by an additional 30-day reply comment period. <span> </span>Based on today’s release, initial comments are due on or before <b>Oct. 13, 2026</b>, and reply comments are due on or before <b>Nov. 12, 2026</b>.<br><br>
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In a <a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjkxIiwiYWExNDAyMmM3YTAxIixmYWxzZV0" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">press release</a> summarizing these actions, the FCC indicated that the proceedings:<br>
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<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Aim to empower parents and better protect children when using networks and services eligible for discounts under the FCC’s E-Rate program, including by limiting screen time.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Seek to ensure that E-Rate-funded networks and services are being used for educational purposes, while also strengthening E-Rate program integrity and streamlining program administration to support learning opportunities.</li>
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The first Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) would:<br>
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<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Seek comment on whether the E-Rate program should be narrowed or reoriented to meet the policy goals Congress intended when it established the program.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Seek comment on actions to ensure the E-Rate program advances student learning outcomes and better protects the online safety of children when using E-Rate-funded networks and services, including by limiting screen time.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Seek comment on whether E-Rate-funded networks are being used for educational purposes.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Seek comment on whether the Commission’s current interpretation of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is the best reading of that statute and whether existing CIPA requirements sufficiently protect children from inappropriate and harmful content when using school and library computers to access E-Rate-funded networks and services.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Seek comment on potential legal and policy considerations for assessing children’s screen time and protecting children and empowering parents, guardians, and teachers in decision-making involving children’s access to E-Rate funded networks and services.</li>
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A second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“FNPRM”) would:<br>
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<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Propose actions to strengthen program integrity by increasing oversight over consultants, including requiring annual disclosures and certification, creating a registration system, and prohibiting certain fee arrangements.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Propose measures to streamline administrative processes, including establishing a June 30th deadline for submission of the FCC Form 473, modifying the FCC Form 479 submission requirements, and requiring all contracts to be signed after the allowable contract date.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Propose to sunset and delete certain Emergency Connectivity Fund (“ECF”) program rules from the Code of Federal Regulations.</li>
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<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Based on the NPRM, there are two areas in which we may see pullbacks in E-Rate funding:</li>
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<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Given the availability of other funding sources for broadband infrastructure — e.g., BEAD funding — funding for self-provisioned and special construction projects may be reduced, particularly in urban areas where broadband services are more widely available and where the building of new E-Rate networks might be considered duplicative.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Widespread concern about the use and effectiveness of internet services for younger students could limit such funding for Pre-K and Head Start schools. The FCC recently requested and received funding data for these entities for FY 2025, which included $15.5 million for Head Start Schools and $43.9 million for Private and Public Pre-K schools.</li>
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<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">There is concern among parents and in Congress about the potentially detrimental impact of excess screen time on children. Many schools have already banned the use of personal cellphones during class time. The NPRM includes footnotes citing studies of the negative impact of excessive use of educational technologies.<a style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline"></a><a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjkxIiwiMmE5MGExYWIwYTY1IixmYWxzZV0" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank"><span>*</span><span></span></a><span></span> One NPRM outcome reflecting these concerns may be the tightening of CIPA rules and certifications.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">The FCC is also concerned with the role of consultants in the E-Rate application process, noting their role in several recent findings of fraud. The FCC proposes to:</li>
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<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Define a “consultant” for purposes of E-Rate.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Require annual compliance certifications similar to those required for service providers.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Create a consultant registration system for firms and their individual consultants.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Prohibit percentage-based fee arrangements, which could incentivize excessive funding requests if not properly structured, and clarify document retention requirements.</li>
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<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">The FCC also proposes to further streamline E-Rate administration and application review, including:</li>
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<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Stricter requirements for signed contracts.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Formalization of the service substitution process.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Establishing a June 30th deadline for the completion of the Service Provider Annual Certification (“SPAC”) Form 473.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Added certifications on consortium member Form 479s with a submission deadline preceding a consortium’s Form 471.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Additional certifications on most other E-Rate forms.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Reconsideration of the eligibility of Managed Internal Broadband Services (“MIBS”).</li>
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For a list of all questions asked, go to <a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjkxIiwiZmRjYjYyYzA1NjBhIixmYWxzZV0" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">https://www.ohio-k12.help/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/All-Questions-from-FCC_26-41.xlsx</a>.<br><br>
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Please know that as things develop, more information will be provided.<span> </span><br><br>
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Sincerely,<br><br>
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Lorrie
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State E-Rate Coordinator<br><span>Ohio Department of Education & Workforce</span><br><span><a href="mailto:lorrie.germann@education.ohio.gov" target="_blank">lorrie.germann@education.ohio.gov</a></span><br><span>740-253-1153</span><br><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Calibri',sans-serif"><a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjkxIiwiNmQxZTljZGI4MGQ4IixmYWxzZV0" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">https://www.ohio-k12.help/e-rate-support/</a></span><br>
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