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HR 3152 114th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Advisory bodies Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies Congressional oversight Department of Agriculture Executive agency funding and structure Government information and archives Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Public-private cooperation Rural conditions and development

Rural Broadband Initiative Act

Introduced: July 22, 2015 See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 6, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.
Jul 24, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Jul 22, 2015
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jul 22, 2015
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Rural Broadband Initiative Act

This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to establish an Office of Rural Broadband Initiatives at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and an Under Secretary for Rural Broadband Initiatives appointed by the President to head the Office.

The Under Secretary is responsible for administering all rural broadband-related grant and loan programs previously administered by the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service and must:

  • conduct nationwide outreach to rural areas;
  • foster the development of a comprehensive rural broadband strategic vision;
  • plan coordination of federal resources for state, regional, and local governments to assist rural areas;
  • assess all relevant technologies;
  • serve as a single information source for and coordinate all federal rural broadband programs and services; and
  • provide technical assistance to state, regional, and local governments.

The Under Secretary must also:

  • submit to the President and Congress a comprehensive rural broadband strategy;
  • submit to Congress a plan to establish a Rural Broadband Advisory Panel;
  • establish a web-based clearinghouse that describes options, opportunities, resources, successful public-private partnerships, funding sources, and technology tutorials; and
  • revise the rules and qualification criteria for the loan and loan guarantee programs.

USDA must report to Congress on the resources and staff necessary to carry out this bill, and the Government Accountability Office must review the report.

What's happening now August 6, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2