Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act of 2018

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 2018 2. Assessment and analysis of the effects of broadband deployment and adoption on economy of the United States (a) Broadband defined In this section, the term broadband (b) Assessment and analysis required The Secretary of Commerce shall, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis, conduct an assessment and analysis of the effects of broadband deployment and adoption on the economy of the United States. (c) Considerations In conducting the assessment and analysis required by subsection (b), the Secretary shall consider matters relating to employment, including job creation, business headcount, online commerce, income, education and distance learning, telehealth, telework, agriculture, population growth, population density, broadband speed, and geography. (d) Consultation In conducting the assessment and analysis required by subsection (b), the Secretary shall consult with— (1) the heads of such agencies and offices of the Federal Government as the Secretary considers appropriate, including the Secretary of Agriculture, the Director of the Bureau of the Census, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and the Federal Communications Commission; (2) representatives of businesses, including rural and urban internet service providers and telecommunications infrastructure providers; (3) representatives from State, local, and tribal government agencies; and (4) representatives from consumer and community organizations. (e) Report (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the assessment and analysis conducted under subsection (b). (2) Appropriate committees of Congress In this subsection, 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.

Summary: Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act of 2018 This bill requires the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the Department of Commerce to assess, and submit a report regarding, the effects on the U.S. economy of the deployment and adoption of broadband Internet Protocol-based transmission services that enable users to send and receive voice, video, data, or graphics. In conducting the assessment, the BEA must: (1) consider employment, job creation, business headcount, online commerce, income, education and distance learning, telehealth, telework, agriculture, population growth and density, broadband speed, and geography; and (2) consult with other government agencies, businesses, rural and urban Internet service and telecommunications infrastructure providers, and consumer and community organizations.