Connect America Fund Accountability Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-427
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Collins, Doug [R-GA-9]
Introduced: 2019-01-10
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Performance measurement
Latest action: action_date: 2019-01-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-01-10
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Connect America Fund Accountability Act of 2019</b></p> <p>This bill requires a telecommunications company receiving assistance through the Connect America Fund to report its methods of performance testing and to include a speed and latency report listing customer locations tested more than twice annually. </p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 427 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 10, 2019 Mr. Collins of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia , and Mr. Loudermilk ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 to provide reporting requirements for recipients of funds that provide access in rural and high cost areas, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Connect America Fund Accountability Act of 2019 . 2. Reporting requirements for Connect America Fund (a) Amendment Section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 254 ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (l) Connect America Fund requirements (1) Report requirements Any covered telecommunications carrier shall submit to the Commission a report in accordance with the requirements of any rule or regulation promulgated by the Commission with regard to performance testing required for Connect America Fund recipients that includes the following: (A) The method of performance testing chosen by the covered telecommunications carrier to demonstrate compliance with Connect America Fund model-based support. (B) If a covered telecommunications carrier chooses to use self-testing software for the performance testing described in subparagraph (A), once every three years, information on the software and methodology used to conduct the test, including any algorithm or process relied on within the self-testing software. (C) A speed and latency report in the final quarter of the calendar year that includes a list of customer locations tested more than twice during the year. (2) Representative sample of consumers Any covered telecommunications carrier when randomly choosing a testing pool for the performance testing described in paragraph (1)(A) shall ensure the sample of consumers tested is representative of the number of residences and businesses in the Connect America Fund service area being reported on. (3) Universal Service Administrative Company (A) Determination of audits In determining whether or not to conduct an audit of a covered telecommunications carrier, the Administrator shall consider the number and frequency of complaints submitted to the Commission for the broadband service of that carrier. (B) Public availability of audits Any audit conducted by the Administrator shall be made available to the public. (4) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Administrator The term Administrator means the administrator of the Federal universal service support mechanisms established under this section. (B) Covered telecommunications carrier The term covered telecommunications carrier means an eligible telecommunications carrier that provides fixed broadband internet access service and is subject to the speed and latency testing requirements set forth in any rule or regulation promulgated by the Commission with regard to Connect America Fund recipients. . (b) Applicability The amendment made by subsection (a) shall only apply with respect to support received from the Connect America Fund established by the Federal Communications Commission pursuant to its authorities under section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 254 ) on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.