Late last week, Maryland Representative April McClain Delaney (D-06) and Pennsylvania Representative Rob Bresnahan (R-08) introduced four bills designed to expand broadband while lowering the cost for the technology in the rural U.S.
The proposed bills are:
The Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act: This bill is designed to streamline the permitting process for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Rural Utilities Service, which administers programs for rural utilities like broadband, water, and electricity that people in rural areas depend on.
The proposed legislation would require the USDA to develop and manage digital platforms to streamline permits and applications, establish a permitting preplanning grant program, and mandate a progress report to Congress every two years.
The Prioritizing Rural Broadband Affordability Act: This legislation would require the Secretary of Agriculture to take broadband affordability into account when defining underserved households or service areas for grant awards. However, “taking affordability into account” was not further defined in the press release issued by Representative Delaney’s office.
The Quality Broadband for Connected Communities Act: This legislation would amend the USDA’s Community Connect Program and the program’s speed requirements.
The Expanding Access to Distance Learning and Telemedicine Act: This legislation is designed to modernize the USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Program. It would broaden eligibility to support investments in telemedicine delivery, cybersecurity infrastructure, workforce development, job training, and distance learning technologies for rural communities.
“The affordability crisis is hitting rural America hard. Across the country, broadband, electricity, and clean water remain out of reach for far too many families. All communities — regardless of ZIP code — must have the tools, access, and connectivity they need to prosper, innovate, and thrive in our 21st Century global economy,” said Delaney in a prepared statement.
The Senate is also looking to strengthen broadband. A bill introduced in November aims to strengthen the ReConnect rural broadband program administered by the USDA. The bill was introduced by Republican Senator Roger Marshall of South Dakota and Democratic Senator Peter Welch of Vermont.
