Congress 117 - HR 4374 - Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act

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California Census and government statistics Computers and information technology Education of the disadvantaged Florida Geography and mapping Georgia Government information and archives Government studies and investigations Health technology, devices, supplies Iowa Maine Minnesota Pennsylvania Science, Technology, Communications South Carolina State and local government operations Telephone and wireless communication Texas Virginia West Virginia Wyoming

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Summary

Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act

This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 and makes other changes to various programs of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) that support broadband internet expansion in rural areas.

Specifically, the bill reauthorizes and modifies a program that provides grants, loans, and loan guarantees for broadband expansion. Modifications include revising the criteria used to prioritize applications and projects and changing the name of the program to the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program. Further, the bill terminates on June 30, 2022, a separate USDA pilot program that supports broadband expansion in rural areas; any program funds that remain available after that date shall be used for the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program.

The bill also reauthorizes programs that support (1) rural broadband access, including for economically challenged communities, distance learning, and telehealth; (2) innovative technologies to decrease broadband deployment costs and increase broadband speeds; and (3) expansion of middle mile broadband infrastructure (i.e., connections between national and regional internet backbones and schools, businesses, residences, and other local connection sites).

Additionally, USDA must establish a system to disseminate information and technical assistance concerning its broadband expansion programs and may award grants to units of governments and other eligible entities to collect data about broadband availability (e.g., location of infrastructure, costs, and speeds).

Actions

Dec 16, 2022

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 466.
Dec 16, 2022

Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Dec 8, 2022

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 15, 2022.
Nov 14, 2022

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 8, 2022.
Sep 22, 2022

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Nov. 14, 2022.
Sep 9, 2022

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 22, 2022.
Jul 29, 2022

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 12, 2022.
Jul 15, 2022

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 29, 2022.
Jun 28, 2022

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 15, 2022.
May 24, 2022

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 28, 2022.
May 6, 2022

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than May 26, 2022.
Apr 29, 2022

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than May 6, 2022.
Mar 18, 2022

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than April 29, 2022.
Jan 21, 2022

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than March 18, 2022.
Dec 3, 2021

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Jan. 21, 2022.
Nov 18, 2021

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 3, 2021.
Nov 5, 2021

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Nov. 18, 2021.
Oct 28, 2021

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Nov. 5, 2021.
Sep 24, 2021

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 28, 2021.
Aug 6, 2021

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 24, 2021.
Aug 6, 2021

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Agriculture. H. Rept. 117-113, Part I.
Jul 14, 2021

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
Jul 14, 2021

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 12, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Jul 9, 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.
Jul 9, 2021

Introduced in House

Amendments

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