Improving Broadband Access for Veterans Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1950
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2017-10-05
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Government studies and investigations

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Rural conditions and development

Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Latest action: action_date: 2017-10-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-10-05
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Improving Broadband Access for Veterans Act of 2017</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to submit to Congress a report on promoting broadband Internet access service for veterans, in particular low-income veterans and veterans residing in rural areas. </p> <p>In preparing the report, the FCC shall provide the public with notice and an opportunity to comment.</p>

tv_txt: II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1950 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES October 5, 2017 Mr. Blumenthal (for himself and Mr. Booker ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To require the Federal Communications Commission to submit to Congress a report on promoting broadband Internet access service for veterans.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Broadband Access for Veterans Act of 2017 . 2. Report on promoting broadband internet access service for veterans (a) Definitions In this section— (1) the term broadband Internet access service — (A) means a mass-market retail service by wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit data to and receive data from all or substantially all Internet endpoints, including any capabilities that are incidental to and enable the operation of the communications service; (B) does not include dial-up Internet access service; and (C) includes any service that the Commission finds to be providing a functional equivalent of the service described in subparagraph (A); (2) the term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission; and (3) the term veteran has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (b) Report required (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report on promoting broadband Internet access service for veterans, in particular low-income veterans and veterans residing in rural areas. (2) Contents In the report required under paragraph (1), the Commission shall— (A) examine broadband Internet access service and how to promote broadband Internet access service; and (B) provide findings and recommendations for Congress with respect to broadband Internet access service and how to promote broadband Internet access service. (c) Public notice and opportunity To comment In preparing the report required under subsection (b), the Commission shall provide the public with notice and an opportunity to comment on broadband Internet access service for veterans, in particular low-income veterans and veterans residing in rural areas, and how to promote broadband Internet access service for such individuals.