National Broadband Plan for the Future Act of 2021

To require the Federal Communications Commission to update the national broadband plan, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Broadband Plan for the Future Act of 2021 2. Update to national broadband plan (a) Definitions In this section— (1) the term appropriate committees of Congress (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; (2) the term broadband internet access service (3) the term Commission (4) the term COVID–19 pandemic COVID–19 42 U.S.C. 247d (A) any renewal of that declaration; and (B) any subsequent declaration by the Secretary of Health and Human Services relating to COVID–19; (5) the term E-Rate program (6) the term Lifeline (7) the term national broadband plan 47 U.S.C. 1305(k) (b) Update (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing an update to the national broadband plan. (2) Contents The update to the national broadband plan required under paragraph (1) shall— (A) assess the progress of the United States in achieving the goals of the original national broadband plan during the 10-year period preceding the date of enactment of this Act; (B) reassess the areas of focus contained within the original national broadband plan, including through— (i) an analysis of the most effective and efficient mechanisms for ensuring access to broadband internet access service by all people of the United States; (ii) a detailed strategy for achieving— (I) affordability of broadband internet access service (including through Lifeline); and (II) maximum utilization of broadband internet access service, and the infrastructure with respect to that service, by the public; (iii) an evaluation of the status of deployment of broadband internet access service, including the progress of projects supported by the grants made pursuant to section 6001 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ( 47 U.S.C. 1305 (iv) a plan for use of broadband internet access service, and the infrastructure with respect to that service, in advancing racial justice, socioeconomic equity, consumer welfare, civic participation, public safety and homeland security, community development, health care delivery, energy independence and efficiency, education, worker training, private sector investment, entrepreneurial activity, job creation and economic growth, and other national purposes; (C) examine the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic on how the people of the United States— (i) learn, including— (I) an analysis of the nature and extent of gaps between students who have access to broadband internet access service at home and students who do not have access to that service; and (II) an identification of specific ways to close the gaps described in subclause (I), including through the E-Rate program and Lifeline; (ii) work, including by developing detailed proposals that could make working from home more practical for workers and more productive for employers; (iii) receive medical information and treatment, including by— (I) reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of telemedicine programs implemented at the Federal and State levels; and (II) developing proposals for how the programs described in subclause (I) could be improved or expanded; and (iv) participate in civic communications, including by analyzing the effects that the COVID–19 pandemic and the infrastructure with respect to broadband internet access service in the United States have had on— (I) free expression and non-commercial speakers in the United States; and (II) the availability of credible news and information, including public health information, with respect to that pandemic; (D) analyze the change in reliance that the people of the United States will have on services enabled by broadband internet access service as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic; and (E) develop— (i) short-term proposals to address the reliance described in subparagraph (D); and (ii) a long-term plan to address any systemic privacy and security challenges associated with the use of services described in subparagraph (D). (3) Subsequent annual reports Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Commission submits the report of the Commission required under paragraph (1), and annually thereafter, the Commission shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the progress of the Commission in achieving the goals of the national broadband plan, as updated under this subsection. (4) Public availability The Commission shall publish the report submitted under paragraph (1), and each report submitted under paragraph (3), on a publicly available website. (c) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

Summary: National Broadband Plan for the Future Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to update the national broadband plan, which establishes benchmarks to meet the goal of ensuring that all people of the United States have access to broadband capability. This update must include (1) an assessment of the progress in achieving the goals of the original national broadband plan; (2) an examination of the effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on how people learn, work, receive medical information and treatment, and participate in civic communications; and (3) an analysis of the change in reliance people will have on services enabled by broadband internet access service as a result of COVID-19. The FCC must report annually on its progress toward achieving the goals of the updated national broadband plan.