Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act

This proposal, called the Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act, aims to bring faster, more reliable internet to rural communities. It updates the USDA’s rural broadband program to focus funds where service is missing and to speed up buildouts. It gives equal priority to projects that expand internet at small, rural ports, and it also boosts priority for broadband on farms and ranches to support precision agriculture. The USDA must double‑check that areas labeled “unserved” truly have no home broadband by using FCC and NTIA data and on‑site testing, and it must review this list at least every two years.

Most grants could cover up to 50% of a project’s cost, but the USDA may cover up to 75% in especially hard‑to‑serve rural areas . The USDA has to work with the FCC to make sure funded projects meet or beat the FCC’s service standards in high‑cost areas, and it must give applicants timely feedback and decisions. Builders must share precise maps of new service locations within 30 days after key milestones or project completion, and at least 1% of funds are set aside for oversight and accountability. The USDA can also commit funds before some environmental reviews are finished if later site‑specific reviews will still occur without harming the project or the required reviews.

Key points

• Who is affected: Rural households, farmers and ranchers, small rural ports, and internet providers seeking USDA support.
• What changes: New priorities for rural ports and farm areas; stricter checks to verify unserved areas; clearer service standards; faster decisions; cost‑share caps of 50% (up to 75% in some cases); required buildout maps; dedicated funds for oversight; limited ability to obligate funds before certain reviews finish .
• When: Ongoing program updates, with review of unserved areas at least every two years and buildout maps due within 30 days after milestones or completion .