Legis Daily

Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act

USA119th CongressHR-1838| House 
| Updated: 3/28/2025
Stacey E. Plaskett

Stacey E. Plaskett

Democratic Representative

Virgin Islands

Cosponsors (1)
Barry Moore (Republican)

Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, known as the "Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act," aims to improve access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas by amending the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. It introduces new priorities for federal broadband loans and grants, specifically prioritizing projects that deploy fixed and mobile broadband for precision agriculture on cropland and ranchland. The legislation also establishes an equal priority for applications that increase broadband service in rural ports , broadly defined to include various types of water-based and inland facilities. To ensure funding targets genuinely unserved areas, the bill mandates that the Secretary confirm eligibility of unserved rural communities through consultation with the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, along with site-specific testing. The Secretary must also review and adjust these identified communities at least every two years. The bill modifies grant maximums, allowing the Secretary to provide up to 75 percent of development costs for projects serving specific rural households and communities, an increase from the standard 50 percent. Recipients of assistance are required to provide geolocation information on new or upgraded broadband service within 30 days of project milestones or completion. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that at least 1 percent of funds be set aside for oversight and accountability measures. It also directs the Secretary to ensure funded projects provide a level of service not less than that offered through universal service high-cost support.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5486
Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4329
Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4351
Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 4, 2025
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.
Mar 28, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5486
    Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4329
    Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4351
    Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act


  • March 4, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 4, 2025
    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.


  • March 28, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.

Science, Technology, Communications

Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act

USA119th CongressHR-1838| House 
| Updated: 3/28/2025
This bill, known as the "Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act," aims to improve access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas by amending the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. It introduces new priorities for federal broadband loans and grants, specifically prioritizing projects that deploy fixed and mobile broadband for precision agriculture on cropland and ranchland. The legislation also establishes an equal priority for applications that increase broadband service in rural ports , broadly defined to include various types of water-based and inland facilities. To ensure funding targets genuinely unserved areas, the bill mandates that the Secretary confirm eligibility of unserved rural communities through consultation with the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, along with site-specific testing. The Secretary must also review and adjust these identified communities at least every two years. The bill modifies grant maximums, allowing the Secretary to provide up to 75 percent of development costs for projects serving specific rural households and communities, an increase from the standard 50 percent. Recipients of assistance are required to provide geolocation information on new or upgraded broadband service within 30 days of project milestones or completion. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that at least 1 percent of funds be set aside for oversight and accountability measures. It also directs the Secretary to ensure funded projects provide a level of service not less than that offered through universal service high-cost support.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5486
Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4329
Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4351
Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 4, 2025
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.
Mar 28, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5486
    Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4329
    Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4351
    Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act


  • March 4, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 4, 2025
    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.


  • March 28, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
Stacey E. Plaskett

Stacey E. Plaskett

Democratic Representative

Virgin Islands

Cosponsors (1)
Barry Moore (Republican)

Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted