[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 800 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 800

   To establish the Office of Rural Broadband Initiatives within the 
Department of Agriculture, to preserve open Internet requirements, and 
                          for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 1, 2017

  Mr. Huffman (for himself, Mr. Pocan, and Mr. Nolan) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and 
  in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and 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 establish the Office of Rural Broadband Initiatives within the 
Department of Agriculture, to preserve open Internet requirements, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``New Deal Rural 
Broadband Act of 2017''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Office of Rural Broadband Initiatives.
Sec. 3. Breaking Ground on Rural Broadband Program.
Sec. 4. Tribal broadband assistance program.
Sec. 5. Telecommunications loan and loan guarantee program.
Sec. 6. Modifications to existing rural broadband programs.
Sec. 7. Inventory of Federal and State assets.
Sec. 8. Retention of rental fees associated with communications use 
                            authorizations on Federal lands.

SEC. 2. OFFICE OF RURAL BROADBAND INITIATIVES.

    (a) Establishment.--Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 
1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 601 through 603 as sections 
        603 through 605, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting before section 603 (as so redesignated) 
        the following new sections:

``SEC. 601. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this title:
            ``(1) Office.--The term `Office' means the Office of Rural 
        Broadband Initiatives established under section 602(a)(1).
            ``(2) Panel.--The term `Panel' means the Rural Broadband 
        Advisory Panel established pursuant to section 602(d).
            ``(3) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary' means 
        the Under Secretary for Rural Broadband Initiatives appointed 
        under section 602(a)(2).

``SEC. 602. OFFICE OF RURAL BROADBAND INITIATIVES.

    ``(a) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is established in the Department 
        of Agriculture the Office of Rural Broadband Initiatives.
            ``(2) Under secretary.--The head of the Office shall be the 
        Under Secretary for Rural Broadband Initiatives, who shall--
                    ``(A) be appointed by the President, by and with 
                the advice and consent of the Senate; and
                    ``(B) report directly to the Secretary.
    ``(b) Responsibilities.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall administer all 
        rural and underserved areas broadband-related grant, loan, and 
        loan guarantee programs administered by the Administrator of 
        the Rural Utilities Service as of the date of the enactment of 
        this section, including--
                    ``(A) the rural broadband access loan, loan 
                guarantee, and grant program under section 603;
                    ``(B) the breaking ground on rural broadband 
                program under section 606;
                    ``(C) the tribal broadband assistance program under 
                section 607;
                    ``(D) the Community Connect Grant Program described 
                in subpart A of part 1739 of title 7, Code of Federal 
                Regulations (or successor regulations); and
                    ``(E) loans under title II.
            ``(2) Requirements.--The Under Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) conduct extensive, nationwide outreach to 
                rural and underserved areas;
                    ``(B) develop a comprehensive strategy for 
                broadband in rural and underserved areas;
                    ``(C) coordinate Federal resources for State, 
                regional, and local governments to provide broadband 
                assistance to citizens living and working in rural and 
                underserved areas;
                    ``(D) assess all relevant technologies (including 
                WiFi, WIMAX, DSL, cable, satellite, fiber, and 
                broadband over power lines), to determine if such 
                technologies are able to support in whole or in part 
                rural broadband requirements;
                    ``(E) establish and maintain the Web-based 
                clearinghouse described in subsection (e);
                    ``(F) coordinate Federal rural broadband programs; 
                and
                    ``(G) provide technical assistance to State, 
                regional, and local governments to develop deployment 
                strategies for broadband in rural and underserved 
                areas.
    ``(c) Comprehensive Rural Broadband Strategy.--
            ``(1) Report required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of the appointment of the first Under Secretary under 
        subsection (a), and annually thereafter, the Under Secretary 
        shall submit to the President and to the Committees on 
        Agriculture and Energy and Commerce of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
        and Forestry and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate, a report describing a comprehensive strategy for 
        broadband in rural and underserved areas that includes--
                    ``(A) recommendations--
                            ``(i) to promote interagency coordination 
                        between Federal agencies with respect to 
                        policies, procedures, targeted resources, and 
                        existing rural and underserved areas broadband 
                        programs;
                            ``(ii) to improve and streamline the 
                        Federal policies, programs, and services 
                        relating to rural and underserved areas 
                        broadband technologies;
                            ``(iii) to specify how Federal agency 
                        programs and resources can meet rural and 
                        underserved area broadband requirements; and
                            ``(iv) to promote successful model 
                        deployments and appropriate technology use in 
                        rural and underserved areas so that State, 
                        regional, and local governments can benefit 
                        from the cataloging of successes of other 
                        State, regional, and local governments;
                    ``(B) a needs assessment for the implementation of 
                rural and underserved areas broadband; and
                    ``(C) a strategic plan for comprehensive rural and 
                underserved areas broadband and a description of the 
                amount of time needed to achieve such strategic plan.
            ``(2) Annual report update.--The Under Secretary shall 
        update the report required under paragraph (1) on an annual 
        basis.
    ``(d) Rural Broadband Advisory Panel.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
        appointment of the first Under Secretary under subsection (a), 
        the Under Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
        Agriculture and Energy and Commerce of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
        and Forestry and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate, a plan to establish a Rural Broadband Advisory Panel.
            ``(2) Chairperson.--The Panel shall be chaired by the Under 
        Secretary or a designee thereof.
            ``(3) Membership.--The Panel shall be composed of 
        representatives of--
                    ``(A) State governments;
                    ``(B) local governments;
                    ``(C) tribal governments;
                    ``(D) communications equipment vendors (including 
                broadband data service providers);
                    ``(E) public utility services;
                    ``(F) local exchange carriers;
                    ``(G) wireless carriers;
                    ``(H) satellite communications services; and
                    ``(I) other entities, as determined by the Under 
                Secretary.
            ``(4) Meetings.--The Panel shall meet not less than 4 times 
        each year.
            ``(5) Duties.--The Panel shall--
                    ``(A) assist the Under Secretary in the annual 
                report update under subsection (c)(2);
                    ``(B) evaluate the effectiveness of all Federal 
                broadband assistance programs and policies with respect 
                to providing broadband access in rural and underserved 
                areas;
                    ``(C) evaluate best practices employed at the State 
                and local government level to foster broadband access 
                in rural and underserved areas.
    ``(e) Web-Based Clearinghouse.--The Under Secretary shall establish 
and maintain a comprehensive and interactive rural broadband Web-based 
clearinghouse of resources for rural and underserved areas broadband, 
including--
            ``(1) successful public-private partnerships;
            ``(2) funding sources;
            ``(3) technology tutorials;
            ``(4) descriptions of best practices;
            ``(5) assessments of various technology solutions;
            ``(6) case studies and feasibility studies;
            ``(7) descriptions of the applications of broadband in 
        rural and underserved areas, including telework, telemedicine, 
        distance learning, training, homeland security, senior citizen 
        connectivity and program development, and business and economic 
        development;
            ``(8) analyses of broadband policies in rural and 
        underserved areas; and
            ``(9) supports for networks among rural and underserved 
        communities and economic development agencies.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 603 of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, as redesignated by subsection (a)(1), is 
amended by striking ``Administrator'' and inserting ``Under 
Secretary''.
    (c) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
appointment of the first Under Secretary under section 602(a) of title 
VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb et seq.), 
as amended by this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue 
regulations with respect to the qualification criteria for the loan and 
loan guarantee programs under such title that--
            (1) emphasize streamlining the application process and 
        processing time;
            (2) ensure that the financial requirements for applicants 
        do not unduly disqualify applicants that have demonstrated a 
        viable business plan; and
            (3) do not diminish the mission of the program to deliver 
        broadband service to rural and underserved areas.
    (d) Implementation Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall 
        submit to Congress a report describing the resources and staff 
        necessary to carry out this section and the amendments made by 
        this section.
            (2) Comptroller general review.--
                    (A) In general.--The Comptroller General of the 
                United States shall review the report submitted under 
                paragraph (1) for validity.
                    (B) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
                on which the report is submitted under paragraph (1), 
                the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
                submit to Congress a report containing the findings of 
                the review under subparagraph (A).

SEC. 3. BREAKING GROUND ON RURAL BROADBAND PROGRAM.

    Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb 
et seq.), as amended by section 2, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following new section:

``SEC. 606. BREAKING GROUND ON RURAL BROADBAND PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Grants, Loans, and Loan Guarantees.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary, in consultation 
        with the Federal Communications Commission and other relevant 
        Federal agencies, shall establish the breaking ground on rural 
        broadband program to make grants, loans, or loan guarantees to 
        eligible entities for broadband programs to, with respect to 
        rural and underserved areas--
                    ``(A) acquire equipment, instrumentation, 
                networking capability, hardware and software, digital 
                network technology, and infrastructure for broadband 
                services;
                    ``(B) construct and deploy broadband service 
                related infrastructure;
                    ``(C) ensure access to broadband service by 
                community anchor institutions;
                    ``(D) facilitate access to broadband service to 
                low-income, unemployed, aged, and otherwise vulnerable 
                populations;
                    ``(E) construct and deploy broadband facilities 
                that improve public safety;
                    ``(F) provide broadband communications services; 
                and
                    ``(G) such other activities the Under Secretary 
                determines appropriate.
            ``(2) Award locations.--To the extent practical, the Under 
        Secretary shall award not less than one grant, loan, or loan 
        guarantee under this section to an eligible entity located in 
        each State.
            ``(3) Consultation.--The Under Secretary shall consult a 
        State with respect to--
                    ``(A) identifying areas in need of broadband 
                programs located in the State; and
                    ``(B) the allocation of grant funds and loans and 
                loan guarantees for broadband programs within the 
                State.
    ``(b) Expiration of Program.--The Under Secretary may not award 
grants, loans, or loan guarantees under this section on a date that is 
after September 30, 2022.
    ``(c) Application.--To receive a grant, loan, or loan guarantee 
under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to 
the Under Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Under Secretary may require, including a description 
of how--
            ``(1) the eligible entity will use funds awarded under this 
        section;
            ``(2) such funds are necessary to implement the broadband 
        program;
            ``(3) the broadband program will comply with all applicable 
        Federal, State, and local laws;
            ``(4) the eligible entity will meet the non-Federal funds 
        requirements under subsection (e), including the source and 
        amount of such other funding; and
            ``(5) the eligible entity will accomplish the broadband 
        program goals not later than to 5 years after receiving an 
        award under this section.
    ``(d) Priority.--In awarding grants, loans, or loan guarantees 
under this section, the Under Secretary may give priority to--
            ``(1) a broadband program that--
                    ``(A) will serve the largest population by--
                            ``(i) increasing the affordability and 
                        number of subscribers;
                            ``(ii) increasing broadband speed; or
                            ``(iii) enhancing healthcare delivery, 
                        education, or services for children; and
                    ``(B) will serve a rural area (as such term is 
                defined in section 203(b)); and
            ``(2) an eligible entity that is a socially and 
        economically disadvantaged small business concern as defined 
        under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
        637(a)).
    ``(e) Non-Federal Funds Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        recipient of a grant under this section shall provide funds, 
        in-kind contributions, or a combination of both, from sources 
        other than funds provided through such grant in an amount that 
        is at least equal to 20 percent of the amount of such grant.
            ``(2) Exception.--The Under Secretary may provide a waiver 
        to the requirements of paragraph (1) to an eligible entity 
        that--
                    ``(A) submits an application for such waiver, at 
                such time, in such manner, and containing such 
                information as the Under Secretary may require; and
                    ``(B) demonstrates financial need.
    ``(f) Deobligate Funds.--In addition to other authority under 
applicable law, the Under Secretary may deobligate awards under this 
section if an eligible entity demonstrates--
            ``(1) an insufficient level of performance; or
            ``(2) wasteful or fraudulent spending (as defined by the 
        Under Secretary).
    ``(g) Reports by Award Recipients.--At such time as may be 
determined by the Under Secretary, an eligible entity that receives a 
grant, loan, or loan guarantee under this section shall submit to the 
Under Secretary a report that includes a description of the use of 
funds made available pursuant to this section.
    ``(h) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
on which funds are first made available to carry out this section under 
subsection (k), and once each 180 days thereafter until the expiration 
of the program under subsection (b), the Under Secretary shall submit 
to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and 
the Senate, the Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Commerce of 
the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate, a report that includes--
            ``(1) the number of grants, loans, and loan guarantees 
        applied for and provided under this section;
            ``(2) the communities proposed to be served in each grant, 
        loan, or loan guarantee application submitted in 180 days 
        before the date such report is submitted;
            ``(3) the period of time required to approve each grant, 
        loan, or loan guarantee application under this section;
            ``(4) any outreach activities carried out by the Under 
        Secretary to encourage entities in rural and underserved areas 
        to submit applications under this section; and
            ``(5) each broadband service, including the type and speed 
        of broadband service, for which assistance was sought, and each 
        broadband service for which assistance was provided, under this 
        section.
    ``(i) Database.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which 
funds are first made available to carry out this section under 
subsection (k), the Under Secretary shall establish and maintain a 
fully searchable database, accessible on the Internet at no cost to the 
public, that includes--
            ``(1) a list of--
                    ``(A) each entity that has applied for an award 
                under this section; and
                    ``(B) each eligible entity that has received an 
                award under this section;
            ``(2) a description of each application under this section, 
        and the status of each application;
            ``(3) the purpose for which each eligible entity is 
        receiving funds under this section; and
            ``(4) each report submitted under subsection (h).
    ``(j) Eligible Entity Defined.--In this section, the term `eligible 
entity' means--
            ``(1) a State or political subdivision thereof, the 
        District of Columbia, a territory or possession of the United 
        States, an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian 
        Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
        5304)) or native Hawaiian organization;
            ``(2) a nonprofit organization; or
            ``(3) any other entity the Under Secretary determines to be 
        in the public interest.
    ``(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out this section 
$20,000,000,000 to remain available until September 30, 2022.''.

SEC. 4. TRIBAL BROADBAND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb 
et seq.), is amended by inserting after section 606, as added by 
section 3, the following new section:

``SEC. 607. TRIBAL BROADBAND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall make grants, loans, or 
loan guarantees to entities to--
            ``(1) plan, construct, acquire, or improve facilities or 
        equipment for the purpose of providing broadband service on 
        tribal lands;
            ``(2) provide broadband service on tribal lands;
            ``(3) develop among tribal members technical expertise 
        related to broadband service; and
            ``(4) improve the adoption of broadband service by 
        individuals on tribal lands.
    ``(b) Application.--An entity desiring financial assistance under 
this section shall submit an application to the Under Secretary at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Under 
Secretary may require, including--
            ``(1) a description of the ability of the entity to furnish 
        the minimum acceptable level of broadband service for tribal 
        lands; and
            ``(2) an assurance that the entity will submit a report, at 
        such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
        the Under Secretary may specify, that describes--
                    ``(A) the use by the entity of funds under this 
                section; and
                    ``(B) the provision by the entity of broadband 
                service on tribal lands using such assistance, 
                including--
                            ``(i) the number and location of residences 
                        and businesses that receive improved broadband 
                        service as a result of such assistance; and
                            ``(ii) the average price and speed of 
                        broadband service for such residences and 
                        businesses before and after the use by the 
                        entity of such assistance.
    ``(c) Priority.--In providing financial assistance under this 
section, the Secretary shall give priority to applications from 
entities proposing to--
            ``(1) provide broadband service in underserved tribal 
        areas;
            ``(2) provide broadband service to the greatest number of 
        households in underserved tribal areas; and
            ``(3) improve the ability of tribal governments or their 
        designees to provide telecommunications service on tribal 
        lands.
    ``(d) Limitation.--The Under Secretary may not provide financial 
assistance under this section for a fiscal year to an entity that 
provides telecommunications service to 20 percent or more of the 
households in the United States if the cost to the Federal Government 
of such financial assistance exceeds 15 percent of the assistance made 
available under this section for the fiscal year.
    ``(e) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds 
are first made available to carry out this section under subsection 
(f), the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress and to the Rural 
Broadband Advisory Panel a report that describes the extent of 
participation under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
including a description of--
            ``(1) the communities served by activities supported by 
        funds under this section;
            ``(2) the number of grants, loans, and loan guarantees 
        applied for and provided under this section;
            ``(3) the period of time required to approve each 
        application under this section; and
            ``(4) the overall progress towards fulfilling the goal of 
        providing broadband service on tribal lands, including a 
        description of--
                    ``(A) the number and location of residences and 
                businesses that receive improved broadband service as a 
                result of financial assistance under this section;
                    ``(B) the average price and speed of broadband 
                service for such residences and businesses;
                    ``(C) any network improvements supported under this 
                section; and
                    ``(D) activities supported under this section that 
                improve broadband service on tribal lands for 
                educational institutions, health care providers, and 
                public safety service providers.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out this section 
$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2022, to remain 
available until expended.''.

SEC. 5. TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOAN AND LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Title II of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
(7 U.S.C. 922 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new section:

``SEC. 208. REGIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT.

    ``(a) In General.--In addition to any preference given under 
section 201 with respect to a telephone loan made under this Act, the 
Secretary may give preference to an application for such a loan for a 
project that, as determined by the Secretary, supports the development 
of telecommunications services on a multijurisdictional basis.
    ``(b) Evaluation of Applications.--In evaluating an application 
described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider whether--
            ``(1) the project that is the subject of the application 
        was developed through the collaboration and participation of 
        multiple stakeholders in the service area of the project, 
        including State, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit 
        institutions, institutions of higher education, and private 
        entities;
            ``(2) the applicant has an understanding of the applicable 
        regional resources that could support the project, including 
        natural resources, human resources, infrastructure, and 
        financial resources; and
            ``(3) the project has clear objectives and includes a means 
        to establish measurable performance measures and to track 
        progress toward meeting such objectives.''.
    (b) Exemption From State Agency Requirement.--Section 201 of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 922) is amended in the last 
sentence by inserting ``or the application involved is an application 
described in section 208'' before the period at the end.
    (c) Definition of Rural Area.--Section 203(b) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 924(b)) is amended by striking 
``5,000'' and inserting ``20,000''.

SEC. 6. MODIFICATIONS TO EXISTING RURAL BROADBAND PROGRAMS.

    (a) Award of Grants.--Section 603 of the Rural Electrification Act 
of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb), as redesignated by section 2, is further 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``loans and loan 
        guarantees'' and inserting ``loans, loan guarantees, and 
        grants'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``and 
                Loan Guarantees'' and inserting ``Loan Guarantees, and 
                Grants'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, and may make 
                grants,'' after ``loans''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A), by striking ``loans or loan guarantees'' 
                        and inserting ``loans, loan guarantees, or 
                        grants'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by striking ``loan and loan 
                                guarantee'' and inserting ``loan, loan 
                                guarantee, and grant''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``loans and loan 
                                guarantees'' and inserting ``loans, 
                                loan guarantees, and grants''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                        ``loans or loan guarantees'' and inserting 
                        ``loans, loan guarantees, or grants'';
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                        striking ``loan or loan guarantee'' and 
                        inserting ``loan, loan guarantee, or grant'';
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``loan'' 
                        and inserting ``loan or grant''; and
                            (iii) in clause (iii)--
                                    (I) by striking ``loan'' and 
                                inserting ``loan or grant''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``loan made or 
                                guaranteed'' and inserting ``loan or 
                                grant made or loan guaranteed'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), in the matter 
                        preceding clause (i)--
                                    (I) by inserting ``or the funds 
                                received through a grant made'' after 
                                ``guaranteed''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``loan or loan 
                                guarantee'' and inserting ``loan, loan 
                                guarantee, or grant''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                        ``loan or loan guarantee'' and inserting 
                        ``loan, loan guarantee, or grant'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``loan or loan 
                guarantee'' and inserting ``loan, loan guarantee, or 
                grant'';
                    (D) in paragraph (4), by striking ``loan or loan 
                guarantee'' and inserting ``loan, loan guarantee, or 
                grant'';
                    (E) in paragraph (5)(A), in the matter preceding 
                clause (i), by striking ``loan or loan guarantee'' and 
                inserting ``loan, loan guarantee, or grant'';
                    (F) in paragraph (6)--
                            (i) by striking ``loan or loan guarantee'' 
                        and inserting ``loan, loan guarantee, or 
                        grant''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``loan involved'' and 
                        inserting ``loan or grant involved''; and
                    (G) in paragraph (7), by striking ``loan'' and 
                inserting ``loan or grant'';
            (4) in subsection (f), by striking ``loan or loan 
        guarantee'' and inserting ``loan, loan guarantee, or grant'';
            (5) in subsection (j)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``loan and loan guarantee'' and inserting 
                ``loan, loan guarantee, and grant'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``loans'' and inserting 
                        ``loans or grants''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``loan'' and inserting 
                        ``loan or grant'';
                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``loan'' and inserting ``loan or grant''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                        ``loans and loan guarantees'' and inserting 
                        ``loans, loan guarantees, and grants''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (3), by striking ``loan'' and 
                inserting ``loan or grant'';
            (6) by redesignating subsections (k) and (l) as subsections 
        (l) and (m), respectively;
            (7) by inserting after subsection (j) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(k) Matching Funds Requirement.--The recipient of a grant under 
this section shall provide funds, in-kind contributions, or a 
combination of both, from sources other than funds provided through 
such grant in an amount that is at least equal to 10 percent of the 
amount of such grant.'';
            (8) in subsection (l) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$25,000,000 for 
                each of fiscal years 2008 through 2018'' and inserting 
                ``$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 
                2020''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``loans and loan 
                guarantees'' and inserting ``loans, loan guarantees, 
                and grants'' each place it appears; and
            (9) in subsection (m) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) by striking ``loan or loan guarantee'' and 
                inserting ``loan, loan guarantee, or grant''; and
                    (B) by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2020''.
    (b) Priority for Support for Development of Broadband Service.--
Section 601(c)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 
950bb(c)(2)), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) give priority to applicants that offer in the 
                applications of the applicants to provide support for 
                multijurisdictional projects for the development of 
                broadband service in rural and underserved areas that 
                are developed through the collaboration and 
                participation of multiple stakeholders in the service 
                area of such a project, including State, local, and 
                tribal governments, nonprofit institutions, 
                institutions of higher education, and private 
                entities.''.

SEC. 7. INVENTORY OF FEDERAL AND STATE ASSETS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Under Secretary for Rural Broadband Initiatives 
shall--
            (1) establish and maintain an inventory of any real 
        property that is owned, leased, or otherwise managed by the 
        Federal Government on which a broadband facility could be 
        constructed, as determined by the Under Secretary for Rural 
        Broadband Initiatives; and
            (2) make such inventory available to the public.
    (b) Executive Agency Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, each executive agency shall submit to 
        the Under Secretary for Rural Broadband Initiatives a report 
        that includes information regarding any real property that is 
        owned, leased, or otherwise managed by such agency on which a 
        broadband facility could be constructed.
            (2) Changes in real property.--Not later than 30 days after 
        receiving notice of changes in the information included in a 
        report under paragraph (1), the head of an applicable executive 
        agency shall notify the Under Secretary for Rural Broadband 
        Initiatives of such changes.
            (3) National security exemption.--An agency may exclude 
        from the report described in paragraph (1) any information the 
        head of the executive agency determines would harm national 
        security.
    (c) State and Local Assets.--
            (1) In general.--A State, local, or tribal government may 
        provide to the Under Secretary for Rural Broadband Initiatives 
        information regarding any real property that is owned, leased, 
        or otherwise managed by the State, local, or tribal government 
        on which a broadband facility could be constructed.
            (2) Consultation.--The Under Secretary for Rural Broadband 
        Initiatives shall, in consultation with State, local, or tribal 
        governments, issue such guidance or regulations as may be 
        necessary to ensure that information provided by a State, 
        local, or tribal government under paragraph (1) is accurate.

SEC. 8. RETENTION OF RENTAL FEES ASSOCIATED WITH COMMUNICATIONS USE 
              AUTHORIZATIONS ON FEDERAL LANDS.

    (a) Special Account Required.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall 
establish a special account in the Treasury for each Federal land 
management agency for the deposit of rental fees received by a Federal 
land management agency for communications use authorizations on Federal 
lands granted, issued, or executed by the Federal land management 
agency.
    (b) Deposit and Retention of Rental Fees.--Rental fees received by 
a Federal land management agency shall--
            (1) be deposited in the special account established for 
        that Federal land management agency; and
            (2) remain available for expenditure under subsection (c), 
        to the extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in 
        appropriation Acts.
    (c) Expenditure of Retained Fees.--Amounts deposited in the special 
account for a Federal land management agency shall be used for Federal 
land management agency activities related to communications sites, 
including the following:
            (1) Administering communications use authorizations, 
        including cooperative agreements under subsection (d).
            (2) Preparing needs assessments or other programmatic 
        analyses necessary to designate communications sites and 
        authorize communications uses on or adjacent to Federal lands.
            (3) Developing management plans for communications sites on 
        or adjacent to Federal lands.
            (4) Training for management of communications sites on or 
        adjacent to Federal lands.
            (5) Obtaining or improving access to communications sites 
        on or adjacent to Federal lands.
    (d) Cooperative Agreement Authority.--
            (1) Department of the interior.--The Secretary of the 
        Interior may enter into cooperative agreements to carry out the 
        activities described in subsection (c).
            (2) Forest service.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting 
        through the Chief of the Forest Service, may enter into 
        cooperative agreements to carry out the activities described in 
        subsection (c).
    (e) No Effect on Other Fee Retention Authorities.--This section 
shall not limit or otherwise affect fee retention by a Federal land 
management agency under any other authority.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Communications site.--The term ``communications site'' 
        means an area of Federal lands designated for 
        telecommunications uses.
            (2) Communications use.--The term ``communications use'' 
        means the placement and operation of infrastructure for 
        wireless telecommunications, regardless of whether the use of 
        radio frequencies by such telecommunications is pursuant to a 
        license issued by the Federal Communications Commission or on 
        an unlicensed basis in accordance with the regulations of the 
        Commission. The term includes ancillary activities directly 
        related to such placement and operation.
            (3) Communications use authorization.--The term 
        ``communications use authorization'' means a right-of-way, 
        permit, or lease granted, issued, or executed by a Federal land 
        management agency for the primary purpose of authorizing the 
        occupancy and use of Federal lands for communications use.
            (4) Federal land management agency.--The term ``Federal 
        land management agency'' means the National Park Service, the 
        United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land 
        Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Forest Service.
            (5) Federal lands.--The term ``Federal lands'' means lands 
        under the jurisdiction and management of a Federal land 
        management agency.
            (6) Rental fee.--The term ``rental fee'' means the fee 
        collected by a Federal land management agency for the occupancy 
        and use authorized by a communications use authorization 
        pursuant to and consistent with authorizing law.
                                 <all>