SPEED for BEAD Act

This bill changes the federal BEAD broadband grant program to speed buildout and narrow what rules can be tied to funding. It would rename the program from “Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment” to “Broadband Expansion, Access, and Deployment.” It also sets “gigabit-level” service at 1,000 Mbps download, treats any technology that meets performance standards the same, and adds telecom workforce training as an allowed use of funds. If a state or other eligible entity doesn’t use its full allocation on time, the leftover money would go back to the U.S. Treasury. The bill also bars using this program to regulate internet prices.

The bill limits what conditions can be attached to bids and grants. It blocks requirements tied to things like prevailing wages or project labor agreements, union or local hiring preferences, workforce composition reports, climate change commitments, open access rules, data cap rules, certain strict letter‑of‑credit demands for experienced providers, and diversity, equity, and inclusion criteria. It also lets bidders remove very costly locations from large project areas, with a way to fund those spots separately.

• Who is affected: Eligible entities and subgrantees in the BEAD program, broadband providers, and community anchor institutions.

• What changes:

  • Program name changes from “Equity” to “Expansion.”
  • Defines gigabit service as at least 1,000 Mbps download.
  • Adds telecom workforce development as an allowed use.
  • Unused funds return to the Treasury.
  • Allows carving out unusually costly locations from project areas.
  • Requires tech‑neutral treatment if performance standards are met.
  • Prohibits attaching labor, DEI, climate, open‑access, data‑cap, and certain letter‑of‑credit requirements to bids/grants.
  • Prohibits rate regulation or using rates in scoring applications.

• When: These changes would apply if the bill becomes law.