Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
- Last Action
- 4/28/2021
Actions
- 2021-04-28Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.
- 2021-03-12Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2021-03-12Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
- 2021-03-11Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Agriculture, 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.
- 2021-03-11Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Agriculture, 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.
- 2021-03-11Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Agriculture, 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.
- 2021-03-11Introduced in House
- 2021-03-11Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2021-03-11 (00)
Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
This bill reauthorizes through FY2026, revises, and establishes grants and activities to promote access to broadband internet and other telecommunication services.
The bill addresses digital equity and inclusion through grants and by requiring studies on barriers to adoption of broadband services and related matters.
The bill addresses broadband affordability and access. It (1) reauthorizes and expands various programs that subsidize or otherwise support broadband services for eligible households, schools and libraries, and tribal lands and populations; and (2) establishes a program for expanding broadband service for underserved areas and community support organizations (e.g., schools and religious organizations). Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must award grants and take other actions to expand programs that verify an individual's eligibility for subsidized services.
The bill addresses broadband data collection, disclosure, and sharing. The FCC must (1) issue rules regarding the collection of pricing data and labels that disclose information about broadband plans to consumers, and (2) collaborate and share data with federal agencies and other stakeholders.
The bill makes financing (e.g., low-interest loans) available to communities and public-private partnerships for broadband infrastructure investments. Additionally, the Department of Transportation must require states to install conduits for broadband cables as part of certain highway projects. The bill also sets up a task force on nationwide dig once requirements (i.e., policies or practices to minimize excavations of highway rights-of-way when installing telecommunications infrastructure).
Further, the bill preempts state laws that prohibit certain telecommunications service providers (e.g., public providers) from providing high-speed broadband services.
Cosponsors (20)
- FRANK PALLONE (D-NJ)
- MIKE DOYLE (D-PA)
- Cynthia Axne (D-IA)
- SANFORD BISHOP (D-GA)
- Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
- Cheri Bustos (D-IL)
- G. K. Butterfield (D-NC)
- Angie Craig (D-MN)
- Antonio Delgado (D-NY)
- ANNA ESHOO (D-CA)
- Kaiali'i Kahele (D-HI)
- RON KIND (D-WI)
- Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ)
- Ro Khanna (D-CA)
- Ann Kuster (D-NH)
- Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM)
- Tom Malinowski (D-NJ)
- A. McEachin (D-VA)
- Jerry McNerney (D-CA)
- Grace Meng (D-NY)
Subjects
- Administrative law and regulatory procedures
- Adult education and literacy
- Aging
- Appropriations
- Cardiovascular and respiratory health
- Community life and organization
- Computer security and identity theft
- Computers and information technology
- Congressional oversight
- Correctional facilities and imprisonment
- Department of Commerce
- Digital media
- Disability and paralysis
- Economic development
- Educational facilities and institutions
- Elementary and secondary education
- Emergency medical services and trauma care
- Executive agency funding and structure
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.