USF Equitable Distribution Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-734
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Ayotte, Kelly [R-NH]
Introduced: 2015-03-12
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Rural conditions and development

Telecommunication rates and fees

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2015-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-03-12
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>USF Equitable Distribution Act of 2015</strong></p> <p>Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require at least 75% of all amounts collected by interstate telecommunications providers from consumers in a rural state for the purpose of making certain contributions to universal service funds established by the Federal Communications Commission to be allocated to consumers in that rural state.</p> <p>Defines "rural state" as a state in which the total population density is not more than 200 people per square mile, as determined by the latest available decennial census. </p> <p>Prohibits this Act from being construed to require an increase in amounts collected by interstate telecommunications providers from consumers for the purpose of making such contributions. </p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 734 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 12, 2015 Ms. Ayotte introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To provide for the equitable distribution of Universal Service funds to rural States.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the USF Equitable Distribution Act of 2015 . 2. Distribution of Universal Service funds Section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 254 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (m) Distribution of Universal Service funds (1) In general Not less than 75 percent of all amounts collected by providers of interstate telecommunications from consumers in a rural State for the purpose of making contributions under subsection (d) shall be allocated to the provision of universal service to consumers in that rural State. (2) Rural State In this subsection, the term rural State means a State in which the total population density is not more than 200 people per square mile, as determined by the latest available decennial census conducted under section 141(a) of title 13, United States Code. (3) Amounts collected Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring an increase in amounts collected by providers of interstate telecommunications from consumers for the purpose of making contributions under subsection (d). .