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HR 5497 115th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Consumer affairs Executive agency funding and structure Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Rural conditions and development Telecommunication rates and fees Telephone and wireless communication

Office of Rural Telecommunications Act

Introduced: April 12, 2018 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) 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
Apr 12, 2018
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Apr 12, 2018
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Office of Rural Telecommunications Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish the Office of Rural Telecommunications, whose duties shall include:

  • coordinating with the Rural Utilities Service and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to ensure the success of initiatives and programs,
  • coordinating with the Universal Service Administrative Company to maintain information regarding Connect American Fund programs that deploy rural broadband,
  • coordinating with agencies to remove barriers to rural broadband deployment, and
  • measuring broadband adoption rates in rural areas.
What's happening now April 12, 2018

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5497: Office of Rural Telecommunications Act. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-5497/
MLA
"H.R. 5497: Office of Rural Telecommunications Act." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-5497/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5497, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-5497/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5497: Office of Rural Telecommunications Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-5497/)
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