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HR 4232 115th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Government lending and loan guarantees Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Rural conditions and development

B-CROP Act

Introduced: November 2, 2017 Introduced by: Pocan, Mark Democratic · Wisconsin 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
Dec 5, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.
Nov 3, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Nov 2, 2017
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.
Nov 2, 2017
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program Act or the B-CROP Act

This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to include grants in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides loans and loan guarantees for broadband telecommunications services in rural areas.

In making grants, loans, or loan guarantees under the program, USDA must give the highest priority to applicants that offer to provide broadband service to the greatest proportion of unserved rural households or rural households that do not have the minimum acceptable level of residential broadband service.

USDA must then give priority to projects to serve rural communities that:

  • have fewer than 10,000 permanent residents,
  • are experiencing out-migration,
  • have a high percentage of low-income residents, and
  • are isolated from other significant population centers.

A grant may not exceed 50% of the development cost of the project. USDA may increase the limit to 75% for projects that serve a remote or low-income area that does not have access to broadband service from any provider.

USDA must: (1) provide technical assistance and training to entities that are eligible for the loans, loan guarantees, or grants; and (2) use a specified portion of the appropriations provided for the program for this purpose.

The bill sets forth reporting requirements for recipients of the grants, loans, or loan guarantees.

What's happening now December 5, 2017

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

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 2 Republican 2