119 HR 2474 IH: Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-03-27 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2474IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 27, 2025Mr. Taylor introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the capability of the Appalachian Regional Commission to include low-orbit satellites in broadband projects, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act.

2.

GAO study on low-orbit satellites

(a)

In general

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct, and submit to Congress the results thereof, a study on the capability of the Appalachian Regional Commission to incorporate low-orbit satellites in broadband projects. (b)

Requirements

In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall— (1)review the capacity of low-orbit satellite services to be used for business purposes; (2)evaluate economic development growth in areas that have used low-orbit satellites for businesses; and (3)analyze the cost-effectiveness of implementing broadband satellites for economic development.