#AgLaw: Rural Broadband Initiative Act

H.R.3152 – Rural Broadband Initiative Act

Status:
Introduced by Rep. Richard M. Nolan [D-MN-8], the Rural Broadband Initiative Act has been referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and to the Committee on Energy and Commerce for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker.rural-broadband-initiative-act

Description:

This bill aims to amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 which helped (a) bring electricity and telephone service to rural America and (b) remove major barriers to the development of our rural economies.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, 53 percent of rural Americans lack access to service delivering broadband speeds of 25 Mbps for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads. The current lack of affordable broadband presents a similar barrier to the development of our rural economy, and high-speed broadband access helps rural communities compete and grow in our digital economy. H.R. 3152 aims to establish an Office of Rural Broadband Initiatives in the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes, and to provide necessary funds for universal and affordable broadband access to the United States of America with a focus on underserved rural communities.