Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act

Bill: 117-hr-4374
Sponsor: Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13]
Introduced: 2021-07-09 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: California
Census and government statistics
Computers and information technology
Education of the disadvantaged
Florida
Geography and mapping
Georgia
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health technology, devices, supplies
Iowa
Maine
Minnesota
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
State and local government operations
Telephone and wireless communication
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
Wyoming

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-09
text: 

Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act

 
This bill reauthorizes and makes other changes to various programs of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) that support broadband internet expansion in rural areas.
 
Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 and modifies a program that provides grants, loans, and loan guarantees for broadband expansion. Modifications include revising the criteria used to prioritize applications and projects and changing the name of the program to the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program. Further, the bill terminates on June 30, 2022, a separate USDA pilot program that supports broadband expansion in rural areas; any program funds that remain available after that date shall be used for the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program.
 
The bill also reauthorizes through FY2030 programs that support (1) rural broadband access, including for economically challenged communities; and (2) innovative technologies to decrease broadband deployment costs and increase broadband speeds. It also increases the authorization of appropriations for grants, loans, and other assistance to expand middle mile broadband infrastructure (i.e., connections between national and regional internet backbones and schools, businesses, residences, and other local connection sites).
 
Additionally, USDA must establish a system to disseminate information and technical assistance concerning its broadband expansion programs and may award grants to units of governments and other eligible entities to collect data about broadband availability (e.g., location of infrastructure, costs, and speeds).

action_date: 2021-08-06
text: 

Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 and makes other changes to various programs of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) that support broadband internet expansion in rural areas.
 
Specifically, the bill reauthorizes and modifies a program that provides grants, loans, and loan guarantees for broadband expansion. Modifications include revising the criteria used to prioritize applications and projects and changing the name of the program to the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program. Further, the bill terminates on June 30, 2022, a separate USDA pilot program that supports broadband expansion in rural areas; any program funds that remain available after that date shall be used for the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program.
 
The bill also reauthorizes programs that support (1) rural broadband access, including for economically challenged communities, distance learning, and telehealth; (2) innovative technologies to decrease broadband deployment costs and increase broadband speeds; and (3) expansion of middle mile broadband infrastructure (i.e., connections between national and regional internet backbones and schools, businesses, residences, and other local connection sites).
 
Additionally, USDA must establish a system to disseminate information and technical assistance concerning its broadband expansion programs and may award grants to units of governments and other eligible entities to collect data about broadband availability (e.g., location of infrastructure, costs, and speeds).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-16
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 466.
action_date: 2022-12-16
text: Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
action_date: 2022-12-16
text: Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
action_date: 2022-12-08
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 15, 2022.
action_date: 2022-11-14
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 8, 2022.
action_date: 2022-09-22
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Nov. 14, 2022.
action_date: 2022-09-09
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 22, 2022.
action_date: 2022-07-29
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 12, 2022.
action_date: 2022-07-15
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 29, 2022.
action_date: 2022-06-28
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 15, 2022.
action_date: 2022-05-24
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 28, 2022.
action_date: 2022-05-06
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than May 26, 2022.
action_date: 2022-04-29
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than May 6, 2022.
action_date: 2022-03-18
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than April 29, 2022.
action_date: 2022-01-21
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than March 18, 2022.
action_date: 2021-12-03
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Jan. 21, 2022.
action_date: 2021-11-18
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 3, 2021.
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Nov. 18, 2021.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Nov. 5, 2021.
action_date: 2021-09-24
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 28, 2021.
action_date: 2021-08-06
text: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 24, 2021.
action_date: 2021-08-06
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Agriculture. H. Rept. 117-113, Part I.
action_date: 2021-08-06
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Agriculture. H. Rept. 117-113, Part I.
action_date: 2021-07-14
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2021-07-14
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-07-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2021-07-09
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: 2021-07-09
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: 2021-07-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-09
text: Introduced in House