Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act of 2021

To require the Secretary of Commerce to conduct an assessment and analysis of the effects of broadband deployment and adoption on the economy of the United States, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act of 2021 2. Assessment and analysis regarding the effect of the digital economy on the economy of the United States (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Appropriate committees of Congress The term appropriate committees of Congress (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate; (C) the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate; (D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; (E) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and (F) the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives. (2) Assistant Secretary The term Assistant Secretary (3) Broadband The term broadband (4) Digital economy (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), the term digital economy (B) Considerations In establishing a definition for the term digital economy (i) the digital-enabling infrastructure that a computer network needs to exist and operate; and (ii) the roles of e-commerce and digital media. (5) Digital media The term digital media (6) E-commerce The term e-commerce (7) Secretary The term Secretary (b) Biennial assessment and analysis required Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce and the Assistant Secretary, shall conduct an assessment and analysis regarding the contribution of the digital economy to the economy of the United States. (c) Considerations and consultation In conducting each assessment and analysis required under subsection (b), the Secretary shall— (1) consider the impact of— (A) the deployment and adoption of— (i) digital-enabling infrastructure; and (ii) broadband; (B) e-commerce and platform-enabled peer-to-peer commerce; and (C) the production and consumption of digital media, including free media; and (2) consult with— (A) the heads of any agencies and offices of the Federal Government as the Secretary considers appropriate, including the Secretary of Agriculture, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and the Federal Communications Commission; (B) representatives of the business community, including rural and urban internet service providers and telecommunications infrastructure providers; (C) representatives from State, local, and tribal government agencies; and (D) representatives from consumer and community organizations. (d) Report The Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report regarding the findings of the Secretary with respect to each assessment and analysis conducted under subsection (b).

Summary: Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Commerce to conduct a biennial assessment and analysis regarding the contribution of the digital economy to the U.S. economy. In conducting this assessment, Commerce must consider the impact of (1) the deployment and adoption of digital-enabling infrastructure and broadband, (2) various kinds of e-commerce, and (3) the production and consumption of digital media.