ACCESS BROADBAND Act

Bill: 115-hr-3994
Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Introduced: 2017-10-06 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Commerce
Digital media
Economic development
Economic performance and conditions
Educational technology and distance education
Employment and training programs
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Health technology, devices, supplies
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Indian social and development programs
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Libraries and archives
Public housing
Rural conditions and development
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2017-10-06
text: 

Advancing Critical Connectivity Expands Service, Small Business Resources, Opportunities, Access, and Data Based on Assessed Need and Demand Act or the ACCESS BROADBAND Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to establish the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
 
The office shall:
 
 
connect with communities that need access to high-speed Internet and improved digital inclusion efforts,
 
hold regional workshops to share best practices and effective strategies for promoting broadband access and adoption, 
 
develop targeted broadband training and presentations for various demographic communities through media, 
 
develop and distribute publications providing guidance to communities for expanding broadband access and adoption, and 
 
track construction and use of any broadband infrastructure built using federal support.

 
The office must report annually: (1) a description of the office's work, (2) the number of U.S. residents who received broadband as result of federal broadband programs and the Universal Service Fund program, and (3) an estimate of the economic impact of such broadband deployment efforts on the local economy.
 
The office shall consult with any agency offering a federal broadband support program in order to streamline the application process and create one application that may be submitted to apply for all federal broadband support programs.

action_date: 2018-07-18
text: 

Advancing Critical Connectivity Expands Service, Small Business Resources, Opportunities, Access, and Data Based on Assessed Need and Demand Act or the ACCESS BROADBAND Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to establish the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
 
The office shall:
 
 
connect with communities that need access to high-speed Internet and improved digital inclusion efforts, 
 
hold regional workshops to share best practices and effective strategies for promoting broadband access and adoption, 
 
develop targeted broadband training and presentations for various demographic communities through media, 
 
develop and distribute publications providing guidance to communities for expanding broadband access and adoption, and 
 
track construction and use of and access to any broadband infrastructure built using federal support.

 
The office must report annually: (1) a description of the office's work, (2) the number of U.S. residents who received broadband as result of federal broadband programs and the Universal Service Fund program, and (3) an estimate of the economic impact of such broadband deployment efforts on the local economy.
 
The office shall consult with any agency offering a federal broadband support program in order to streamline the application process for financial assistance or grants and create one application that may be submitted to apply for all federal broadband support programs.
 
The office, any agency that offers a federal broadband support program, and the Federal Communications Commission through the Universal Service Fund shall coordinate to ensure that broadband support is being distributed in an efficient, technology-neutral, and financially sustainable manner.

action_date: 2018-07-23
text: 

Advancing Critical Connectivity Expands Service, Small Business Resources, Opportunities, Access, and Data Based on Assessed Need and Demand Act or the ACCESS BROADBAND Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of Commerce to establish the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
 
(Sec. 3) The office shall:
 
 
connect with communities that need access to high-speed Internet and improved digital inclusion efforts, 
 
hold regional workshops to share best practices and effective strategies for promoting broadband access and adoption, 
 
develop targeted broadband training and presentations for various demographic communities through media, 
 
develop and distribute publications providing guidance to communities for expanding broadband access and adoption, and 
 
track construction and use of and access to any broadband infrastructure built using federal support.

 
The office must report annually: (1) a description of the office's work, (2) the number of U.S. residents who received broadband as result of federal broadband programs and the Universal Service Fund program, and (3) an estimate of the economic impact of such broadband deployment efforts on the local economy.
 
(Sec. 4) The office shall consult with any agency offering a federal broadband support program in order to streamline the application process for financial assistance or grants and create one application that may be submitted to apply for all federal broadband support programs.
 
(Sec. 5) The office, any agency that offers a federal broadband support program, and the Federal Communications Commission through the Universal Service Fund shall coordinate to ensure that broadband support is being distributed in an efficient, technology-neutral, and financially sustainable manner.
 
(Sec. 7) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-24
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6608-6609)
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6608-6609)
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3994.
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6608-6610)
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: Mr. Lance moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2018-07-18
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 650.
action_date: 2018-07-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-841.
action_date: 2018-07-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-841.
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2018-06-13
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2018-06-13
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-10-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2017-10-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-10-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-10-06
text: Introduced in House