I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5896 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 5, 2012 Mr. Gibson (for himself and Mr. Hanna) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, and for other purposes.

1.Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) is amended— (1)in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following: (8)

Additional process

The Secretary shall establish a process under which an incumbent service provider which, as of the date of the publication of notice under paragraph (5) with respect to an application submitted by the provider, is providing broadband service to a remote rural area, may (but shall not be required to) submit to the Secretary, not less than 15 and not more than 30 days after that date, information regarding the broadband services that the provider offers in the proposed service territory, so that the Secretary may assess whether the application meets the requirements of this section with respect to eligible projects. ; and (2)in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following: (3)

Requirement

In considering the technology needs of customers in a proposed service territory, the Secretary shall take into consideration the upgrade or replacement cost for the construction or acquisition of facilities and equipment in the territory. .