I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 711 
To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study 
and submit a report on filing requirements under the Universal Service 
Fund programs. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 22, 2019 
Mr. YOUNG (for himself and Mr. LOEBSACK) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To require the Comptroller General of the United States 
to conduct a study and submit a report on filing require-
ments under the Universal Service Fund programs. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. STUDY AND REPORT ON FILING REQUIRE-
MENTS UNDER UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND 
PROGRAMS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
(1) the term ‘‘Administrative Procedure Act’’ 
means subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, United 
States Code; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:06 Feb 01, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H711.IH
H711
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
(2) the term ‘‘Commission’’ means the Federal 
Communications Commission; 
(3) the term ‘‘covered carrier’’ means an eligi-
ble telecommunications carrier or service provider 
that receives universal service support under sections 
214(e) and 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 
(47 U.S.C. 214(e) and 254) for the provision of 
service under a Universal Service Fund program; 
and 
(4) the term ‘‘Universal Service Fund program’’ 
means each program of the Commission set forth 
under part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, or any successor thereto, including— 
(A) the Connect America Fund set forth 
under subpart D of that part; 
(B) the Lifeline program set forth under 
subpart E of that part; 
(C) the E-Rate program set forth under 
subpart F of that part; 
(D) the Rural Health Care program set 
forth under subpart G of that part; 
(E) the Remote Areas Fund set forth 
under subpart J of that part; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:06 Feb 01, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H711.IH
H711
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
(F) the Connect America Fund Broadband 
Loop Support program set forth under subpart 
K of that part; 
(G) the Mobility Fund set forth under sub-
part L of that part; and 
(H) the High Cost Loop Support for Rate- 
of-Return Carriers program set forth under 
subpart M of that part. 
(b) STUDY AND REPORT.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall conduct a study and 
submit to the Commission, the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report, which shall include— 
(1) an analysis of the filing requirements for 
covered carriers participating in a Universal Service 
Fund program, including any filings required by the 
Universal Service Administrative Company; 
(2) an analysis of the financial impact of those 
filing requirements on covered carriers participating 
in a Universal Service Fund program; and 
(3) recommendations, if any, on how to consoli-
date redundant filing requirements for covered car-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:06 Feb 01, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H711.IH
H711
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
riers participating in a Universal Service Fund pro-
gram. 
(c) RULEMAKING.— 
(1) NEW OR ONGOING RULEMAKING.—Except 
as provided in paragraph (3), not later than 60 days 
after the date on which the report is submitted 
under subsection (b), the Commission shall— 
(A)(i) initiate a rulemaking to consolidate 
redundant filing requirements for covered car-
riers participating in a Universal Service Fund 
program; and 
(ii) incorporate into the rulemaking under 
clause (i), and as part of that rulemaking seek 
comment on, the recommendations described in 
subsection (b)(3), if any, except to the extent 
that doing so would violate the requirements of 
the Administrative Procedure Act; or 
(B) incorporate into an ongoing rule-
making relating to consolidating redundant fil-
ing requirements of the Commission, and as 
part of that rulemaking seek comment on, the 
recommendations described in subsection (b)(3), 
if any, except to the extent that doing so would 
violate the requirements of the Administrative 
Procedure Act. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:06 Feb 01, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H711.IH
H711
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
(2) WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE.—In a rule-
making in which the Commission is required under 
paragraph (1) to seek comment on the recommenda-
tions described in subsection (b)(3), if any, the Com-
mission shall also seek comment on and consider 
whether the benefit of each recommendation is out-
weighed by any potential increased risk of waste, 
fraud, and abuse in the Universal Service Fund pro-
gram affected by the recommendation. 
(3) PREVIOUS
RULEMAKING.—Paragraph (1) 
shall not apply if, on or before the date on which the 
report is submitted under subsection (b), the Com-
mission completes a rulemaking to consolidate re-
dundant filing requirements for covered carriers par-
ticipating in a Universal Service Fund program. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:06 Feb 01, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H711.IH
H711
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS