Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018

Bill: 115-hr-4881
Sponsor: Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5]
Introduced: 2018-01-25 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Agricultural practices and innovations
Department of Agriculture
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Government information and archives
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2018-01-25
text: 

Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish the Task Force for Meeting Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States. The task force's duties include: (1) identifying and measuring current gaps in broadband Internet access service coverage of cropland and ranchland; (2) assembling a comprehensive guide of all federal programs and resources working to expand broadband Internet access service on unserved cropland and ranchland; and (3) developing policy recommendations to promote the rapid, expanded deployment of fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service on unserved cropland and ranchland.

action_date: 2018-07-18
text: 

Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States.
 
The task force's duties include: 
 
 
identifying and measuring current gaps in the availability of broadband Internet access service on agricultural land; 
 
developing policy recommendations to promote the rapid, expanded deployment of fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land, with a goal of achieving reliable capabilities on 95% of agricultural land in the United States by 2025; 
 
promoting effective policy and regulatory solutions that encourage the adoption of broadband Internet access service on farms and ranches and promote precision agriculture; 
 
recommending specific new rules or amendments to existing FCC rules; 
 
recommending specific steps that the FCC should take to obtain reliable and standardized data measurements of the availability of broadband Internet access service as necessary to target funding support, from future FCC programs dedicated to the deployment of such service, to unserved agricultural land; and 
 
recommending specific steps that the FCC should consider to ensure that the expertise of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and available farm data are reflected in such future FCC programs. 

 
USDA and the FCC shall jointly submit to the task force a list of all federal programs or resources available for the expansion of broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land.

action_date: 2018-07-23
text: 

Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018

 
(Sec. 3) This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States.
 
 The task force's duties include: 
 
 
identifying and measuring current gaps in the availability of broadband Internet access service on agricultural land;
 
 developing policy recommendations to promote the rapid, expanded deployment of fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land, with a goal of achieving reliable capabilities on 95% of agricultural land in the United States by 2025; 
 
 promoting effective policy and regulatory solutions that encourage the adoption of broadband Internet access service on farms and ranches and promote precision agriculture; 
 
recommending specific new rules or amendments to existing FCC rules; 
 
recommending specific steps that the FCC should take to obtain reliable and standardized data measurements of the availability of broadband Internet access service as necessary to target funding support, from future FCC programs dedicated to the deployment of such service, to unserved agricultural land; and 
 
recommending specific steps that the FCC should consider to ensure that the expertise of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and available farm data are reflected in such future FCC programs.
 
 
USDA and the FCC shall jointly submit to the task force a list of all federal programs or resources available for the expansion of broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land.
 
The task force must submit annually to the FCC a report that details: (1) the status of fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service coverage of agricultural land; (2) the projected future connectivity need of agricultural operations, farmers, and ranchers; and (3) steps taken to accurately measure the availability of broadband Internet access service on agricultural land and the limitations of current measurement processes.
 
The FCC shall renew the task force every two years until it terminates on January 1, 2025.
 
(Sec. 4) 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: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 4 (Roll no. 367). (text: CR H6595-6596)
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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 4 (Roll no. 367).(text: CR H6595-6596)
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6632-6633)
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4881.
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6595-6597)
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. 647.
action_date: 2018-07-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-837.
action_date: 2018-07-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-837.
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: 2018-01-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2018-01-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2018-01-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2018-01-25
text: Introduced in House