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Bill115th CongressFiled Jan 25, 2018Science, Technology, Communications
H.R. 4881

Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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Law

What it doesSummary passed house amended (Jul 23, 2018)

Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018

(Sec. 3) This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States.

The task force's duties include:

  • identifying and measuring current gaps in the availability of broadband Internet access service on agricultural land;
  • developing policy recommendations to promote the rapid, expanded deployment of fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land, with a goal of achieving reliable capabilities on 95% of agricultural land in the United States by 2025;
  • promoting effective policy and regulatory solutions that encourage the adoption of broadband Internet access service on farms and ranches and promote precision agriculture;
  • recommending specific new rules or amendments to existing FCC rules;
  • recommending specific steps that the FCC should take to obtain reliable and standardized data measurements of the availability of broadband Internet access service as necessary to target funding support, from future FCC programs dedicated to the deployment of such service, to unserved agricultural land; and
  • recommending specific steps that the FCC should consider to ensure that the expertise of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and available farm data are reflected in such future FCC programs.

USDA and the FCC shall jointly submit to the task force a list of all federal programs or resources available for the expansion of broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land.

The task force must submit annually to the FCC a report that details: (1) the status of fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service coverage of agricultural land; (2) the projected future connectivity need of agricultural operations, farmers, and ranchers; and (3) steps taken to accurately measure the availability of broadband Internet access service on agricultural land and the limitations of current measurement processes.

The FCC shall renew the task force every two years until it terminates on January 1, 2025.

(Sec. 4) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.

What just happenedJul 24, 2018

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

Who’s behind it

Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5](R-OH)Sponsor
10 cosponsors1 D9 R
Read on Congress.gov
10cosponsors2committees21actions2related bills7subjects
  1. Jul 24, 2018IntroReferral

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

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  2. Jul 23, 2018FloorH38800

    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  3. Jul 23, 2018FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. Jul 23, 2018FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 4 (Roll no. 367). (text: CR H6595-6596)

  5. Jul 23, 2018Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 4 (Roll no. 367).(text: CR H6595-6596)

  6. Jul 23, 2018FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6632-6633)

  7. Jul 23, 2018FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  8. Jul 23, 2018FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4881.

  9. Jul 23, 2018FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6595-6597)

  10. Jul 23, 2018FloorH30300

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

  11. Jul 18, 2018CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 647.

  12. Jul 18, 2018CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-837.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  13. Jul 18, 2018Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-837.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  14. Jul 12, 2018Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  15. Jul 12, 2018Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  16. Jun 13, 2018Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  17. Jun 13, 2018Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  18. Jan 26, 2018Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  19. Jan 25, 2018IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  20. Jan 25, 2018IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  21. Jan 25, 2018IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedJul 23, 201836

Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018

(Sec. 3) This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States.

The task force's duties include:

  • identifying and measuring current gaps in the availability of broadband Internet access service on agricultural land;
  • developing policy recommendations to promote the rapid, expanded deployment of fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land, with a goal of achieving reliable capabilities on 95% of agricultural land in the United States by 2025;
  • promoting effective policy and regulatory solutions that encourage the adoption of broadband Internet access service on farms and ranches and promote precision agriculture;
  • recommending specific new rules or amendments to existing FCC rules;
  • recommending specific steps that the FCC should take to obtain reliable and standardized data measurements of the availability of broadband Internet access service as necessary to target funding support, from future FCC programs dedicated to the deployment of such service, to unserved agricultural land; and
  • recommending specific steps that the FCC should consider to ensure that the expertise of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and available farm data are reflected in such future FCC programs.

USDA and the FCC shall jointly submit to the task force a list of all federal programs or resources available for the expansion of broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land.

The task force must submit annually to the FCC a report that details: (1) the status of fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service coverage of agricultural land; (2) the projected future connectivity need of agricultural operations, farmers, and ranchers; and (3) steps taken to accurately measure the availability of broadband Internet access service on agricultural land and the limitations of current measurement processes.

The FCC shall renew the task force every two years until it terminates on January 1, 2025.

(Sec. 4) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.

Reported to House with amendment(s)Jul 18, 201817

Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States.

The task force's duties include:

  • identifying and measuring current gaps in the availability of broadband Internet access service on agricultural land;
  • developing policy recommendations to promote the rapid, expanded deployment of fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land, with a goal of achieving reliable capabilities on 95% of agricultural land in the United States by 2025;
  • promoting effective policy and regulatory solutions that encourage the adoption of broadband Internet access service on farms and ranches and promote precision agriculture;
  • recommending specific new rules or amendments to existing FCC rules;
  • recommending specific steps that the FCC should take to obtain reliable and standardized data measurements of the availability of broadband Internet access service as necessary to target funding support, from future FCC programs dedicated to the deployment of such service, to unserved agricultural land; and
  • recommending specific steps that the FCC should consider to ensure that the expertise of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and available farm data are reflected in such future FCC programs.

USDA and the FCC shall jointly submit to the task force a list of all federal programs or resources available for the expansion of broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land.

Introduced in HouseJan 25, 2018

Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish the Task Force for Meeting Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States. The task force's duties include: (1) identifying and measuring current gaps in broadband Internet access service coverage of cropland and ranchland; (2) assembling a comprehensive guide of all federal programs and resources working to expand broadband Internet access service on unserved cropland and ranchland; and (3) developing policy recommendations to promote the rapid, expanded deployment of fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service on unserved cropland and ranchland.

Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018 — Informed