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Allows entities that administer federal broadband grant funds to give households vouchers to pay certain satellite or fixed‑wireless broadband charges when a political subdivision lacks adequate broadband. Vouchers must be limited to households in unserved or underserved locations, prioritize lower‑income political subdivisions, cap some monthly costs at $30, and limit equipment assistance to at most 50% of the provider charge.
Adds a new subsection (p) "Broadband vouchers" to Section 60102 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 U.S.C. 1702).
If an eligible entity makes the determination described in paragraph (2) for a political subdivision, the eligible entity may use grant funds received under this section to provide households in that political subdivision vouchers to cover eligible broadband service costs.
Defines the required "determination" as the eligible entity determining that a political subdivision lacks access to broadband service that the eligible entity considers adequate.
Requires eligible entities to give priority when providing vouchers to households in political subdivisions whose per capita income is below the median per capita income of the political subdivisions of that eligible entity (median determined by the eligible entity).
Prohibits an eligible entity from providing a voucher to a household unless, on the day before the entity provides the first such voucher to the household, that household resides at a location that is an unserved location or an underserved location.
Primary beneficiaries are households in unserved or underserved locations, especially those in lower‑income political subdivisions that will receive priority. Eligible entities that administer federal broadband grants (state, local, Tribal, or other designated recipients) gain explicit authority and flexibility to issue vouchers and must establish processes to identify qualifying political subdivisions and households and to distribute vouchers consistent with the caps and prioritization rules. Satellite and fixed wireless broadband providers may see increased demand from voucher‑supported households and will receive voucher payments for covered costs and equipment (subject to the 50% equipment assistance cap). The provision may speed short‑term broadband access for households in hard‑to‑serve areas where wired options are limited, but it could also shift program administration effort toward voucher management and verification. Because the change authorizes use of existing grant dollars rather than adding new funding, its implementation will depend on available grant program resources and administrative capacity at the grant recipient level.
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Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced April 8, 2025 by David J. Taylor · Last progress April 8, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House