Congress 115 - HR 3994 - ACCESS BROADBAND Act

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Cosponsors

Topics

Congressional oversight Department of Commerce Digital media Economic development Economic performance and conditions Educational technology and distance education Employment and training programs Executive agency funding and structure Government information and archives Government lending and loan guarantees Health technology, devices, supplies Housing and community development funding Housing finance and home ownership Indian social and development programs Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Libraries and archives Public housing Rural conditions and development Science, Technology, Communications Small business

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Summary

Advancing Critical Connectivity Expands Service, Small Business Resources, Opportunities, Access, and Data Based on Assessed Need and Demand Act or the ACCESS BROADBAND Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of Commerce to establish the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

(Sec. 3) The office shall:

connect with communities that need access to high-speed Internet and improved digital inclusion efforts,
hold regional workshops to share best practices and effective strategies for promoting broadband access and adoption,
develop targeted broadband training and presentations for various demographic communities through media,
develop and distribute publications providing guidance to communities for expanding broadband access and adoption, and
track construction and use of and access to any broadband infrastructure built using federal support.

The office must report annually: (1) a description of the office's work, (2) the number of U.S. residents who received broadband as result of federal broadband programs and the Universal Service Fund program, and (3) an estimate of the economic impact of such broadband deployment efforts on the local economy.

(Sec. 4) The office shall consult with any agency offering a federal broadband support program in order to streamline the application process for financial assistance or grants and create one application that may be submitted to apply for all federal broadband support programs.

(Sec. 5) The office, any agency that offers a federal broadband support program, and the Federal Communications Commission through the Universal Service Fund shall coordinate to ensure that broadband support is being distributed in an efficient, technology-neutral, and financially sustainable manner.

(Sec. 7) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.

Actions

Jul 24, 2018

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 23, 2018

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 23, 2018

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6608-6609)
Jul 23, 2018

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6608-6609)
Jul 23, 2018

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3994.
Jul 23, 2018

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6608-6610)
Jul 23, 2018

Mr. Lance moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 18, 2018

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 650.
Jul 18, 2018

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-841.
Jul 12, 2018

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jul 12, 2018

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 13, 2018

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
Jun 13, 2018

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 13, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Oct 6, 2017

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Oct 6, 2017

Introduced in House

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