Congress 108 - HR 138 - Rural America Digital Accessibility Act

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Topics

Broadband Cable television Commerce Commercialization Communication satellites Economics and Public Finance Education Federal aid to research Federally-guaranteed loans Government Operations and Politics Government securities High technology Higher education Housing and Community Development Income tax Industrial parks Industry-university relations Interest Internet Investments Job creation Labor and Employment Laboratories Public-private partnerships Research grants Rural economic development Science, Technology, Communications Small business Subsidies Tax credits Tax returns Technological innovations Technology transfer Telecommunication policy Telephone Television relay systems Urban affairs Urban areas Wireless communication

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Summary

Rural America Digital Accessibility Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants or guarantee loans in order to facilitate the deployment by the private sector of broadband telecommunications networks and capabilities (including wireless and satellite services) to underserved rural areas. Limits to $100 million the total amount of such grants and loan guarantees.

Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to research the enhancement or facilitation of broadband telecommunications services in rural and other remote areas, as well as Internet access through such services.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to holders of qualified technology bonds (bonds representing an investment in projects to expand such telecommunications services). Sets a national technology bond limitation of $100 million for each of FY 2003 through 2007, and zero thereafter (with an exception) to be allocated by the Secretary among the qualified projects designated each year.

Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance for the establishment and support of regional centers for the commercial use of advanced technologies by small and medium-sized businesses.

Actions

Feb 20, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Research.
Feb 20, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards.
Feb 3, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.
Jan 7, 2003

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Science, 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.
Jan 7, 2003

Introduced in House

Amendments

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