{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Legislation","name":"Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act","description":"

Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act

This bill reauthorizes through FY2026, revises, and establishes grants and activities to promote access to telecommunications services, including broadband internet.

The bill addresses digital equity and inclusion through grants and by requiring studies on barriers to adopting broadband services and related matters.

The bill addresses broadband affordability and access. It (1) reauthorizes and expands programs that subsidize or support broadband services for, among others, eligible households, schools, and minority communities; and (2) establishes a program for expanding broadband service for underserved areas and community support organizations (e.g., religious organizations). Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must expand programs that verify an individual's eligibility for subsidized telecommunications services.

The bill addresses matters concerning broadband data. The FCC must (1) issue rules for collecting pricing data and labels for disclosing information about broadband plans to consumers, and (2) collaborate and share data with federal agencies and stakeholders.

The bill makes financing (e.g., low-interest loans) available to communities and public-private partnerships for broadband infrastructure investments and creates grants to establish or expand certain internet exchange facilities and submarine cable landing stations. 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.

","legislationIdentifier":"S 745","legislationType":"Bill","legislationLegalForce":"NotInForce","legislationJurisdiction":"USA","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Amy Klobuchar","url":"https://legisdaily.com/mp/amy-klobuchar-us"}],"about":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Science, Technology, Communications"},"keywords":"Administrative law and regulatory procedures, Adult education and literacy, Aging, Appropriations, Cardiovascular and respiratory health, Community life and organization, Computers and information technology, Computer security and identity theft, 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), Food assistance and relief, Foreign language and bilingual programs, Government information and archives, Government lending and loan guarantees, Government studies and investigations, Government trust funds, Health care coverage and access, Health facilities and institutions, Health technology, devices, supplies, Higher education, Indian social and development programs, Infectious and parasitic diseases, Infrastructure development, Internet and video services, Internet, web applications, social media, Labor-management relations, Labor standards, Law enforcement administration and funding, Libraries and archives, Medicaid, Motor carriers, Motor vehicles, Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers, Performance measurement, Poverty and welfare assistance, Preschool education, Public contracts and procurement, Public housing, Public-private cooperation, Racial and ethnic relations, Right of privacy, Roads and highways, Rural conditions and development, Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations, State and local government operations, Telecommunication rates and fees, Telephone and wireless communication, Unemployment, Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation, Wages and earnings","dateModified":"2025-01-14T00:00:00.000Z","url":"https://legisdaily.com/bill/USA-117-S-745"}

Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee