Precision Farming Act of 2016

To utilize loans and loan guarantees under the rural broadband access program to provide broadband service for agricultural producers and to provide universal service support for installation charges for broadband service for agricultural producers in order to improve precision farming and ranching, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Precision Farming Act of 2016 2. Loan priorities in providing access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas Section 601(c)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 ( 7 U.S.C. 950bb(c)(2) (1) by striking and (2) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E) and, in such subparagraph, by striking in the applications of the applicants (3) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph (D): (D) give priority to applicants that offer to provide broadband service, at better than the minimum acceptable level of broadband service established under subsection (e), to agricultural producers in the proposed service territory to improve their ability to conduct precision farming or ranching, as determined by the Secretary; and . 3. Universal service support for broadband service installation charges for agricultural producers Section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 254 (m) Support for broadband service installation charges for agricultural producers (1) In general A provider of broadband service serving a geographic area shall, upon a bona fide request from an agricultural producer for connection to such service to improve the ability of the producer to conduct precision farming or ranching, install any line or other facility or equipment necessary to enable such connection at a discount from the amount that the provider would charge other parties for a similar installation. (2) Amount of discount The amount of the discount provided under paragraph (1) shall be the lesser of— (A) the amount that the provider would charge other parties for a similar installation; or (B) $15,000. (3) Limit of one discount per agricultural producer An agricultural producer may not receive more than one discount under paragraph (1). (4) Offset or reimbursement A provider of broadband service that makes an installation under paragraph (1) shall— (A) have an amount equal to the amount of the discount provided under such paragraph treated as an offset to its obligation to contribute to the mechanisms to preserve and advance universal service; or (B) notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (e), receive reimbursement utilizing the support mechanisms to preserve and advance universal service. (5) Consistency with rural broadband access program The Commission shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, promulgate such regulations as are necessary to ensure that this subsection is carried out in a manner that is consistent with the manner in which the Secretary of Agriculture carries out subparagraph (D) of section 601(c)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 ( 7 U.S.C. 950bb(c)(2) .

Summary: Precision Farming Act of 2016 This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Department of Agriculture to give priority to loan applicants that offer to provide broadband service, at better than the minimum acceptable level of broadband service, to agricultural producers in the proposed service territory to improve their ability to conduct precision farming or ranching. (Precision farming is a strategy that uses various technologies to manage production through data analysis and automation.) The bill also amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide universal service support for the installation of broadband services to improve the ability of an agricultural producer to conduct precision farming or ranching. The bill requires broadband providers to install the services at a discount and makes the providers eligible for a reimbursement of the discount. Agricultural producers are limited to one discount that is the lesser of: (1) the amount that the provider would charge other parties for a similar installation, or (2) $15,000.