HR 3369 117th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Advanced technology and technological innovations Cardiovascular and respiratory health Educational technology and distance education Emergency medical services and trauma care Government information and archives Government lending and loan guarantees Infectious and parasitic diseases Internet, web applications, social media Rural conditions and development

Broadband for Rural America Act

Introduced: May 20, 2021 Introduced by: Thompson, Glenn Republican · Pennsylvania See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Jul 7, 2021

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

May 21, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

May 20, 2021

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.

May 20, 2021

Introduced in House

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Broadband for Rural America Act

This bill modifies and consolidates Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs for expanding broadband internet in rural areas.

Specifically, the bill modifies a program that provides grants, loans, and loan guarantees to support broadband expansion in rural areas. Modifications include revising the criteria used to prioritize applications and projects and changing the name of the program to the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program.

Additionally, the bill terminates on June 30, 2022, a Department of Agriculture (USDA) COVID-19 response program that supports broadband expansion in rural areas for distance learning and telemedicine. Any remaining program funds available after the termination date shall be used for the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program.

The bill also expands coordination requirements that apply to the Department of Commerce, USDA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. This includes requiring the use of specified FCC maps when assessing a community's access to broadband.

What's happening now July 7, 2021

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

Committees of jurisdiction 4