PLAN for Broadband Act

This bill tells the Commerce Department’s communications chief to create a National Strategy to close the digital divide within one year. The plan must coordinate all federal broadband programs, speed up approvals to place internet equipment on federal property, and make it easier for States, local governments, and Tribes to use federal broadband funds. It must list existing programs, find gaps and duplication, set clear roles and goals, and address costs. It also calls out special attention to Tribal lands and asks for input from the public, experts, providers, Tribes, and State and local groups .

Within 120 days after the strategy is submitted, an implementation plan is due. It must set accountability, require regular interagency meetings and public engagement, use common data and applications (including FCC broadband maps), fight waste and fraud, and require consistent reporting. Public comments are required as the plan is developed. The Commerce official must brief Congress regularly until the plan is fully carried out. The plan does not change the FCC’s authority. A year after the implementation plan is submitted, the Government Accountability Office must study how well the strategy works and recommend improvements .

• Who is affected: People who need better, cheaper internet; State, local, and Tribal governments; broadband providers; federal agencies running broadband programs.
• What changes: One national plan to align programs, easier permitting on federal property, shared data and application standards, stronger oversight to cut waste, and regular progress updates; no change to FCC powers .
• When: Strategy due within 1 year; implementation plan due 120 days later; progress briefings every 90 days; GAO report 1 year after the implementation plan is submitted .