Technology (Telecommunications)

in committee · United States · House Feb 27, 2025

HR 1694: AI Accountability Act

HR 1694, the AI Accountability Act, directs the Commerce Department's Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information to study accountability measures for AI systems used in communications networks (like social media and telecom) and spectrum sharing. The study will examine how these measures can help close the digital divide, reduce cybersecurity risks, and clarify terms like "trustworthy" AI, while consulting with industry, academia, and consumers. It requires two reports within 18 months: one detailing the study findings and stakeholder feedback, and another recommending how to make AI system information accessible to the public. The bill does not impose new regulations but focuses on gathering data to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill directs study to reduce cybersecurity risks and close digital divide through AI accountability measures, aligning with tech accountability goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Mar 5, 2025

HR 1870: SPEED for BEAD Act

The SPEED for BEAD Act (HR 1870) amends the federal broadband deployment program (BEAD) to accelerate network expansion. It defines "gigabit-level broadband" as 1,000 Mbps download speeds, requires unused funds to be returned to the Treasury instead of reallocated, and allows states to remove high-cost locations from project areas. The bill prohibits grant conditions related to labor practices (e.g., union requirements), diversity initiatives, climate policies, or network management rules, while ensuring all broadband technologies meeting speed standards are eligible. It also explicitly bans government regulation of broadband pricing, directly affecting states administering BEAD funds and the internet providers they fund.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProhibits climate policy conditions in broadband grants, blocking environmental requirements from being applied to BEAD program.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentProhibits grant conditions related to labor practices (e.g., union requirements), restricting worker protections tied to broadband funding.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAccelerates broadband deployment to expand internet access, directly advancing technology infrastructure policy as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Collective Bargaining Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2025

HR 3125: Rural Broadband Assistance Act

HR 3125, the Rural Broadband Assistance Act, creates a new USDA grant program to help rural communities access broadband internet. It provides funding for private, nonprofit, or public organizations to offer technical assistance and training directly to eligible entities like tribes, state/local governments, schools, nonprofits, and rural cooperatives. Key provisions include helping these groups prepare grant applications, identify funding sources, conduct feasibility studies, collect infrastructure data, and improve broadband facility management. The program prioritizes organizations with proven experience in rural technical assistance and allows national or multi-state applications for community support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides funding and technical assistance to schools for broadband access, enhancing educational infrastructure and student learning opportunities in rural areas.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates USDA grants to fund rural broadband infrastructure, directly expanding internet access in underserved communities per its explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate May 6, 2025

S 1617: LAST ACRE Act of 2025

The LAST ACRE Act of 2025 establishes the "Last Acre Program" to expand high-speed broadband access to agricultural land that lacks sufficient connectivity. The program provides grants and loans to broadband providers to build networks meeting minimum speed requirements (100 Mbps downstream, 20 Mbps upstream) on unserved or underserved cropland, pastureland, and farm sites used for active agricultural production. It prioritizes assistance for limited resource farmers (those with lower income and farm sales) and requires providers to meet cybersecurity standards and submit detailed bid applications. The bill also mandates data collection about agricultural broadband usage and requires annual reporting to Congress on program implementation.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds broadband infrastructure expansion to agricultural land, directly advancing internet access infrastructure for underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Cybersecurity Telecommunications Tags Agriculture Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 25, 2025

S 713: Broadband Buildout Accountability Act

The Broadband Buildout Accountability Act requires the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) to comply with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This means information about how broadband funds are allocated and used - including grant decisions and project details - will be publicly accessible through standard FOIA requests. The bill directly affects the federal program managing broadband infrastructure funding and the state/local entities receiving these grants. By making the program subject to FOIA, the legislation increases transparency in the use of federal broadband investment dollars.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires transparency in broadband funding (BEAD program) to ensure effective deployment, supporting internet access expansion as core to technology policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Government Transparency

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in committee · United States · House Dec 23, 2025

HR 6920: SUCCESS for BEAD Act

The SUCCESS for BEAD Act (HR 6920) amends the BEAD program to allow states and other eligible entities to use remaining broadband grant funds for specific purposes. It authorizes the use of these funds for AI-supportive telecommunications infrastructure, workforce development, public safety, and national security initiatives through a competitive subgrant program. The bill establishes specific requirements including a public challenge process for fiber infrastructure projects and priorities for underserved areas and strategic infrastructure. It also includes detailed definitions and requirements for Next Generation 9-1-1 systems in emergency communications centers. The bill provides more specific guidance on how remaining funds can be used without changing the overall BEAD program structure.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAuthorizes broadband funds for workforce development, directly supporting employment training initiatives under the bill's purposes.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAuthorizes BEAD funds for AI-supportive telecom infrastructure, directly advancing technology development through federal grant program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Artificial Intelligence Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Jun 17, 2025

HR 4032: Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025

This bill requires major internet companies (including social media, streaming services, and app stores) and broadband providers to contribute to the Universal Service Fund, which subsidizes affordable broadband in rural and high-cost areas. It exempts smaller companies that transmit less than 3% of U.S. broadband data or earn under $5 billion annually. The Federal Communications Commission must create a new support mechanism to help rural broadband providers cover costs, while ensuring contributions remain fair and predictable. The bill explicitly states it does not grant the FCC new authority over these companies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates contributions to Universal Service Fund for rural broadband subsidies, directly funding essential infrastructure through new revenue stream.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands broadband access which supports educational access and digital learning opportunities in schools, particularly in rural areas.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires major internet companies to fund rural broadband subsidies, expanding affordable internet access per bill's core purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Social Media Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 3084: ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025

The ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 establishes a federal program to expand high-speed broadband access in underserved rural areas. It provides grants, loans, and combinations of both to eligible entities (like tribes, local governments, or cooperatives) for building broadband infrastructure, requiring new service to offer at least 100 Mbps download and upload speeds. Projects must target areas where at least 75% of households lack such service, with priority for communities where 90% lack it, or those facing economic hardship, isolation, or high poverty. The bill authorizes $650 million annually from 2026-2030 for this program, with funds allocated to ensure projects meet minimum speed standards and serve the most underserved rural households.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands broadband access in rural areas, enabling digital educational resources and remote learning access for underserved communities.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds broadband infrastructure expansion to 100+ Mbps in underserved areas, directly advancing internet access - a core technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

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passed · United States · Senate Jun 23, 2026

S 2585: MAP for Broadband Funding Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to modernize the federal Broadband Funding Map, which tracks where broadband infrastructure funding is deployed. It mandates a notice of inquiry within 270 days to evaluate the map's data quality, public usability, and update timelines, and to consider expanding data categories. A separate GAO study (due within 180 days) will assess how well federal agencies maintain the map, coordinate data sharing, and whether improved use could save taxpayer money. The bill directly affects agencies receiving or managing broadband funding, including the FCC, NTIA, USDA, and others. It focuses on improving data transparency and efficiency in federal broadband spending, not on changing funding eligibility or amounts.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyModernizes broadband funding map to improve infrastructure deployment, directly advancing internet access and digital connectivity95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 11, 2025

S 507: Promoting Precision Agriculture Act of 2025

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop voluntary, industry-led technical standards for precision agriculture equipment within two years, coordinating with NIST and the FCC. It requires these standards to address connectivity needs, cybersecurity, and compatibility across devices like GPS systems, soil sensors, and data management tools used by farmers. The bill also mandates a GAO assessment every two years for eight years to evaluate whether the standards are truly voluntary, developed with industry input, and successfully encourage wider adoption of precision agriculture. The policy affects farmers, ag-tech companies, and equipment manufacturers by creating common technical rules to reduce adoption barriers, without imposing new regulations or costs.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cybersecurity standards for precision agriculture tech devices, directly addressing cybersecurity as a required component per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Cybersecurity Telecommunications Tags Agriculture

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