Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-975
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2023-03-27
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Latest action: action_date: 2023-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-03-27
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act of 2023</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make changes to the financing of the Universal Service Fund. This fund, which is financed by fees contributed by telecommunications carriers, supports programs to expand the availability of and access to telecommunications services.</p> <p>Specifically, the bill directs the FCC to (1) study the need for expanding the fund's contribution base to ensure fairness and equity in applicable contribution requirements, and (2) reform the fund's contribution system through rulemaking. In carrying out the rulemaking, the FCC must consider the findings and recommendations of its study and the impact of changes on consumers, businesses, and seniors.</p>

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 975 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 27, 2023 Ms. Klobuchar (for herself, Mr. Thune , Mr. Hickenlooper , and Mr. Moran ) 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 reform the contribution system of the Universal Service Fund, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act of 2023 . 2. Study and report Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission (referred to in this Act as the Commission ) shall— (1) conduct a study assessing the need to expand the contribution base of the Universal Service Fund to ensure that the contribution requirement under section 254(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 254(d) ) is imposed fairly and equitably; and (2) submit to Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1). 3. Universal service fund contribution system reform (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall complete a rulemaking to reform the contribution system of the Universal Service Fund, including by expanding the contribution base of the Universal Service Fund. (b) Considerations In conducting the rulemaking required under subsection (a), the Commission shall consider— (1) the relative equities and burdens of the proposed changes to the contribution system of the Universal Service Fund with respect to consumers and businesses; (2) the impact of the proposed changes to the contribution system of the Universal Service Fund on seniors; and (3) the findings and recommendations in the report submitted under section 2(2).