Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-326
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-02-12
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Digital media

Economic performance and conditions

Educational technology and distance education

Government studies and investigations

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media
Latest action: action_date: 2021-02-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-02-12
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act of 2021</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Commerce to conduct a biennial assessment and analysis regarding the contribution of the digital economy to the U.S. economy.</p> <p>In conducting this assessment, Commerce must consider the impact of (1) the deployment and adoption of digital-enabling infrastructure and broadband, (2) various kinds of e-commerce, and (3) the production and consumption of digital media.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 326 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 12, 2021 Ms. Klobuchar (for herself, Mrs. Capito , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mr. King , Mr. Boozman , and Mr. Sullivan ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To require the Secretary of Commerce to conduct an assessment and analysis of the effects of broadband deployment and adoption on the economy of the United States, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act of 2021 . 2. Assessment and analysis regarding the effect of the digital economy on the economy of the United States (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Appropriate committees of Congress The term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate; (C) the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate; (D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; (E) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and (F) the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives. (2) Assistant Secretary The term Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. (3) Broadband The term broadband means an Internet Protocol-based transmission service that enables users to send and receive voice, video, data, or graphics, or a combination of those items. (4) Digital economy (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), the term digital economy has the meaning given the term by the Secretary in carrying out this section. (B) Considerations In establishing a definition for the term digital economy under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider— (i) the digital-enabling infrastructure that a computer network needs to exist and operate; and (ii) the roles of e-commerce and digital media. (5) Digital media The term digital media means the content that participants in e-commerce create and access. (6) E-commerce The term e-commerce means the digital transactions that take place using the infrastructure described in paragraph (4)(B)(i). (7) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce. (b) Biennial assessment and analysis required Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce and the Assistant Secretary, shall conduct an assessment and analysis regarding the contribution of the digital economy to the economy of the United States. (c) Considerations and consultation In conducting each assessment and analysis required under subsection (b), the Secretary shall— (1) consider the impact of— (A) the deployment and adoption of— (i) digital-enabling infrastructure; and (ii) broadband; (B) e-commerce and platform-enabled peer-to-peer commerce; and (C) the production and consumption of digital media, including free media; and (2) consult with— (A) the heads of any agencies and offices of the Federal Government as the Secretary considers appropriate, including the Secretary of Agriculture, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and the Federal Communications Commission; (B) representatives of the business community, including rural and urban internet service providers and telecommunications infrastructure providers; (C) representatives from State, local, and tribal government agencies; and (D) representatives from consumer and community organizations. (d) Report The Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report regarding the findings of the Secretary with respect to each assessment and analysis conducted under subsection (b).