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Bill117th CongressFiled Jul 9, 2021Science, Technology, Communications
H.R. 4374

Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary reported to house, part i (Aug 6, 2021)

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).

What just happenedDec 16, 2022

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 466.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13](D-GA)Sponsor
Read on Congress.gov
2committees30actions21subjects
  1. Dec 16, 2022CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 466.

  2. Dec 16, 2022DischargeH12300

    Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  3. Dec 16, 2022Committee5500

    Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  4. Dec 8, 2022IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  5. Nov 14, 2022IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  6. Sep 22, 2022IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  7. Sep 9, 2022IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  8. Jul 29, 2022IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  9. Jul 15, 2022IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  10. Jun 28, 2022IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  11. May 24, 2022IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  12. May 6, 2022IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  13. Apr 29, 2022IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  14. Mar 18, 2022IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  15. Jan 21, 2022IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  16. Dec 3, 2021IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  17. Nov 18, 2021IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  18. Nov 5, 2021IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  19. Oct 28, 2021IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  20. Sep 24, 2021IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  21. Aug 6, 2021IntroReferralH11210

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

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  22. Aug 6, 2021CommitteeH12200

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

    Agriculture Committee
  23. Aug 6, 2021Committee5000

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

    Agriculture Committee
  24. Jul 14, 2021Committee

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.

    Agriculture Committee
  25. Jul 14, 2021Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Agriculture Committee
  26. Jul 12, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  27. Jul 9, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    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.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  28. Jul 9, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    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.

    Agriculture Committee
  29. Jul 9, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  30. Jul 9, 2021IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Reported to House, Part IAug 6, 20218

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).

Introduced in HouseJul 9, 2021

Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act

This bill reauthorizes 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 through FY2030 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 through FY2030 programs that support (1) rural broadband access, including for economically challenged communities; and (2) innovative technologies to decrease broadband deployment costs and increase broadband speeds. It also increases the authorization of appropriations for grants, loans, and other assistance to expand 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).

Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act — Informed