Sponsors (20)
The bill directs predictable federal funding and prioritizes the most underserved rural and low-income communities to expand high-speed broadband, but does so at multi-year taxpayer expense and with eligibility, market-concentration, and long-term funding uncertainties.
Rural households (including students and farmers) will gain access to higher-speed broadband (minimum 100/100 Mbps), improving connectivity for work, education, and telehealth.
State and local governments and rural communities receive predictable, multi-year funding (dedicated appropriations of $650M/year plus $350M for loans through 2030) to plan and deploy broadband projects.
Communities with the greatest need (areas that are 90%+ unserved) are prioritized, directing limited funds to the most underserved and low-income areas first.
Some semi-rural or growing communities could be left ineligible due to exclusion rules and broad Secretary discretion in defining 'rural,' denying them assistance.
All taxpayers bear the multi-year cost of the dedicated appropriations and reallocated rescinded balances used to fund the program.
The program authority sunsets on Sept. 30, 2030, creating uncertainty for networks with multi-decade lifespans and for long-term maintenance funding.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Revises the Rural Electrification Act to fund grants, loans, or combos for rural broadband projects that deliver at least 100/100 Mbps, prioritizing areas with the least service.
Introduced April 30, 2025 by Zach Nunn · Last progress April 30, 2025
Creates a revised rural broadband program by amending the Rural Electrification Act to provide grants, loans, or a combination for building, improving, or acquiring facilities and equipment to deliver broadband in rural areas. Projects must deliver at least 100 Mbps downstream and 100 Mbps upstream and generally target areas where a large share of households currently lack high‑speed service; the Secretary is directed to prioritize the most unserved territories and given authority to define eligible technologies and certain rural/urban classifications.