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S 240 114th Congress Senate

Community Broadband Act of 2015

Official title: A bill to promote competition, to preserve the ability of local governments to provide broadband capability and services, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 25, 2016 Introduced by: Booker, Cory A. Democratic · New Jersey See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Intergovernmental relationsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaPublic-private cooperation
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State and local government operationsTelephone and wireless communication
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 22, 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 22, 2015
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action January 22, 2015

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Community Broadband Act of 2015

Bars states or local governments from prohibiting or inhibiting states, local government agencies, entities affiliated with state or local agencies, or Indian tribes from providing telecommunications services or advanced telecommunications capabilities to any person or any public or private entity.

Prohibits government providers of public telecommunications services from favoring themselves over competing providers in the application of regulations, ordinances, public rights-of-way, or permitting requirements.

Directs local governments or affiliates intending to provide public telecommunications services to consider public-private partnerships.

Requires local governments or affiliates, before providing telecommunications services to the public, to provide public notice and opportunities for public input and private-sector bidding.

Provides an exemption from the prohibition on local governments favoring themselves in the application of regulations, and from the requirement to provide public notice and private bidding opportunities, during an emergency declared by the President, a governor, or an authorized elected local official.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 3 Independent 1
D
Blumenthal, Richard
Connecticut · Apr 25, 2016
 D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · Feb 3, 2015
 I
King, Angus S., Jr.
Maine · Feb 2, 2015
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Jan 22, 2015
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 240: Community Broadband Act of 2015. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-240/
MLA
"S. 240: Community Broadband Act of 2015." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-240/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 240, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-240/.
Markdown link
[S. 240: Community Broadband Act of 2015](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-240/)
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