Rural Broadband Infrastructure Investment Act

Bill: 114-hr-4160
Sponsor: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
Introduced: 2015-12-02 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Performance measurement
Rural conditions and development
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-02
text: 

Rural Broadband Infrastructure Investment Act 

 
This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide additional loans and grants for the development of telecommunications and broadband services in rural areas. 
 
USDA may give preference to loan applications for projects that support the development of telecommunications services in rural areas on a multijurisdictional basis. 
 
In evaluating applications, USDA must consider whether: 
 
 
 the project was developed through the collaboration and participation of multiple stakeholders in the service area; 
 
the applicant understands the regional resources that could support the project, including natural resources, human resources, infrastructure, and financial resources; and 
 
the project has clear objectives and a means to establish performance measures. 
 
 
For the purpose of loans, loan guarantees, and grants, a rural area is any area of the United States not included within the boundaries of any incorporated or unincorporated city, village, or borough having a population in excess of 20,000 inhabitants. 
 
USDA may provide grants, in addition to loans and loan guarantees permitted under current law, for the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in rural areas. In providing loans, loan guarantees, and grants, USDA may give priority to multijurisdictional projects for the development of broadband service in rural areas that are developed through the collaboration and participation of multiple stakeholders in the service area. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.
action_date: 2015-12-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2015-12-02
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-12-02
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-12-02
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-12-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-02
text: Introduced in House