[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1046 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>





                                                       Calendar No. 567
116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 1046

                          [Report No. 116-274]

 To establish the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 4, 2019

Ms. Cortez Masto (for herself, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Jones, Mr. Johnson, Ms. 
    Baldwin, Mrs. Blackburn, Ms. Sinema, Ms. Rosen, and Mr. Peters) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
           Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

                            October 1, 2020

               Reported by Mr. Wicker, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To establish the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, and for 
                            other purposes.

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

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Advancing Critical 
Connectivity Expands Service, Small Business Resources, Opportunities, 
Access, and Data Based on Assessed Need and Demand Act'' or the 
``ACCESS BROADBAND Act''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    In this Act:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Agency.--The term ``agency'' has the meaning 
        given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States 
        Code.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Assistant secretary.--The term ``Assistant 
        Secretary'' means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
        Communications and Information.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the 
        Federal Communications Commission.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Federal broadband support program.--The term 
        ``Federal broadband support program'' does not include any 
        Universal Service Fund program and means any of the following 
        programs (or any other similar Federal program) to the extent 
        the program offers broadband internet service or programs for 
        promoting broadband access and adoption for various demographic 
        communities through various media for residential, commercial, 
        or community providers, or academic establishments:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) The Telecommunications and Technology 
                Program of the Appalachian Regional 
                Commission.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) The following programs of the Rural 
                Utilities Service of the Department of 
                Agriculture:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) The Telecommunications 
                        Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee 
                        Program.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) The Rural Broadband Access 
                        Loan and Loan Guarantee Program authorized 
                        under section 601 of the Rural Electrification 
                        Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) The Substantially 
                        Underserved Trust Area Initiative.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) The Community Connect Grant 
                        Program established under title III of the 
                        Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
                        Administration, and Related Agencies 
                        Appropriations, 2004 (division A of Public Law 
                        108-199; 118 Stat. 19).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) The Distance Learning and 
                        Telemedicine Grant Program under section 2333 
                        of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
                        Free Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa-
                        2).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) The following programs of the Economic 
                Development Administration of the Department of 
                Commerce:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) The Public Works and Economic 
                        Adjustment Assistance Programs.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) The Planning and Local 
                        Technical Assistance Programs.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) The following programs of the 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) The Community Development 
                        Block Grant Program under title I of the 
                        Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 
                        (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) The loan guarantee program 
                        under section 108 of the Housing and Community 
                        Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5308) 
                        (commonly known as the ``Section 108 Loan 
                        Guarantee Program'').</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) Assistance from the Public 
                        Housing Capital Fund established under section 
                        9(d) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 
                        (42 U.S.C. 1437g(d)).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) Assistance from the Public 
                        Housing Operating Fund established under 
                        section 9(e) of the United States Housing Act 
                        of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g(e)).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) The Multifamily Housing 
                        Programs.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vi) The Indian Community 
                        Development Block Grant Program.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vii) The Indian Housing Block 
                        Grant Program under section 101 of the Native 
                        American Housing Assistance and Self-
                        Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 
                        4111).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (viii) Loan guarantees under title 
                        VI of the Native American Housing Assistance 
                        and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 
                        4191 et seq.) (commonly known as the ``Title VI 
                        Loan Guarantee Program'').</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ix) The Choice Neighborhoods 
                        Initiative.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (x) The HOME Investment 
                        Partnerships Program authorized under title II 
                        of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 
                        Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et 
                        seq.).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (xi) The Housing Trust Fund 
                        established under section 1338 of the Federal 
                        Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and 
                        Soundness Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 
                        4568).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (xii) The Housing Opportunities 
                        for Persons With AIDS Program authorized under 
                        the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act (42 U.S.C. 
                        12901 et seq.).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) The American Job Centers of the 
                Employment and Training Administration of the 
                Department of Labor.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) The Library Services and Technology 
                Grant Programs of the Institute of Museum and Library 
                Services.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Office.--The term ``Office'' means the Office 
        of Internet Connectivity and Growth established under section 
        3.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) Universal service fund program.--The term 
        ``Universal Service Fund program'' means any program authorized 
        under section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 
        254) to help deploy broadband.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) Universal service mechanism.--The term 
        ``universal service mechanism'' means any funding stream 
        provided by a Universal Service Fund program to support 
        broadband access.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF INTERNET CONNECTIVITY AND 
              GROWTH.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Assistant Secretary shall establish the Office of 
Internet Connectivity and Growth within the National Telecommunications 
and Information Administration.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. DUTIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Outreach.--The Office shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) connect with communities that need access to 
        high-speed internet and improved digital inclusion efforts 
        through various forms of outreach and communication 
        techniques;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) hold regional workshops across the United 
        States to share best practices and effective strategies for 
        promoting broadband access and adoption;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) develop targeted broadband training and 
        presentations for various demographic communities through 
        various media; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) develop and distribute publications (including 
        toolkits, primers, manuals, and white papers) providing 
        guidance, strategies, and insights to communities as the 
        communities develop strategies to expand broadband access and 
        adoption.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Tracking of Federal Dollars.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Broadband infrastructure.--The Office shall 
        track the construction and use of and access to any broadband 
        infrastructure built using any Federal support in a central 
        database.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Accounting mechanism.--The Office shall 
        develop a streamlined accounting mechanism by which any agency 
        offering a Federal broadband support program, and the 
        Commission through the Universal Service Fund, shall provide 
        the information described in paragraph (1) in a standardized 
        and efficient fashion.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter, the Office 
        shall make public on the website of the Office and submit to 
        the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
        Representatives a report on the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) A description of the work of the 
                Office for the previous year and the number of 
                residents of the United States who received broadband 
                access as a result of a Federal broadband support 
                program or a Universal Service Fund program.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) The number of residents of the United 
                States described in subparagraph (A), broken down by 
                the Federal broadband support program or universal 
                service mechanism to which the broadband access was 
                attributable.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) An estimate of the economic impact of 
                the broadband deployment efforts described in 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) on the local economy in areas 
                receiving assistance through those efforts, including 
                any effect on small businesses or jobs.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. STREAMLINED APPLICATIONS FOR SUPPORT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Agency Consultation.--The Office shall consult with 
any agency offering a Federal broadband support program to streamline 
and standardize the application process for grants or other financial 
assistance from the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Agency Streamlining.--Any agency offering a Federal 
broadband support program shall amend the application for broadband 
support from that program, to the extent practicable and as necessary, 
to streamline and standardize applications for Federal broadband 
support programs across the Federal Government.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Single Application.--To the greatest extent 
practicable, the Office shall seek to create 1 application that may be 
submitted to apply for all, or substantially all, Federal broadband 
support programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Website Required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Office shall create a central 
website through which a potential applicant can learn about and apply 
for support through any Federal broadband support program.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. COORDINATION OF SUPPORT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Office, any agency that offers a Federal broadband 
support program, and the Commission, through the Universal Service 
Fund, shall coordinate with each other to ensure that Federal support 
for broadband is being distributed in an efficient, technology-neutral, 
and financially sustainable manner, with the goal of serving the 
largest number of persons in the United States while avoiding 
overbuilding and promoting the most job and economic growth for all 
residents of the United States.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 7. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Nothing in this Act is intended to alter or amend any 
provision of section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 
254).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 8. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to 
carry out this Act. This Act shall be carried out using amounts 
otherwise authorized.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Advancing Critical Connectivity 
Expands Service, Small Business Resources, Opportunities, Access, and 
Data Based on Assessed Need and Demand Act'' or the ``ACCESS BROADBAND 
Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Agency.--The term ``agency'' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
            (2) Assistant secretary.--The term ``Assistant Secretary'' 
        means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications 
        and Information.
            (3) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal 
        Communications Commission.
            (4) Federal broadband support program.--The term ``Federal 
        broadband support program'' does not include any Universal 
        Service Fund program and means any of the following programs 
        (or any other similar Federal program) to the extent the 
        program offers broadband internet service or programs for 
        promoting broadband access and adoption for various demographic 
        communities through various media for residential, commercial, 
        or community providers, or academic establishments:
                    (A) The Telecommunications and Technology Program 
                of the Appalachian Regional Commission.
                    (B) The following programs of the Rural Utilities 
                Service of the Department of Agriculture:
                            (i) The Telecommunications Infrastructure 
                        Loan and Loan Guarantee Program established 
                        under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
                        U.S.C. 901 et seq.).
                            (ii) Any program to provide grants, loans, 
                        or loan guarantees under sections 601 through 
                        603 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
                        U.S.C. 950bb et seq.).
                            (iii) The substantially underserved trust 
                        area initiative under section 306F of the Rural 
                        Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 936f).
                            (iv) The Community Connect Grant Program 
                        established under section 604 of the Rural 
                        Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb-3).
                            (v) The distance learning and telemedicine 
                        grant program established under chapter 1 of 
                        subtitle D of title XXIII of the Food, 
                        Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
                        1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq.).
                            (vi) The broadband loan and grant pilot 
                        program known as the ``Rural eConnectivity 
                        Pilot Program'' or the ``ReConnect Program'' 
                        authorized under section 779 of division A of 
                        the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 
                        (Public Law 115-141; 132 Stat. 399).
                    (C) The following other programs of the Department 
                of Agriculture:
                            (i) Community facility direct and 
                        guaranteed loans under section 306(a) of the 
                        Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
                        U.S.C. 1926(a)).
                            (ii) Community facility grants under 
                        paragraph (19), (20), or (21) of section 306(a) 
                        of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
                        Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)).
                            (iii) The Rural Community Development 
                        Initiative authorized under the heading ``rural 
                        community facilities program account'' under 
                        the heading ``Rural Housing Service'' under 
                        title III of division B of the Consolidated 
                        Appropriations Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-6; 133 
                        Stat. 62).
                    (D) The following programs of the Economic 
                Development Administration of the Department of 
                Commerce:
                            (i) The Public Works and Economic 
                        Adjustment Assistance Programs.
                            (ii) The Planning and Local Technical 
                        Assistance Programs.
                    (E) The following programs of the Department of 
                Housing and Urban Development:
                            (i) The Community Development Block Grant 
                        Program under title I of the Housing and 
                        Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 
                        5301 et seq.).
                            (ii) The loan guarantee program under 
                        section 108 of the Housing and Community 
                        Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5308) 
                        (commonly known as the ``Section 108 Loan 
                        Guarantee Program'').
                            (iii) Assistance from the Public Housing 
                        Capital Fund established under section 9(d) of 
                        the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
                        U.S.C. 1437g(d)).
                            (iv) Assistance from the Public Housing 
                        Operating Fund established under section 9(e) 
                        of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
                        U.S.C. 1437g(e)).
                            (v) The Multifamily Housing Programs.
                            (vi) The Indian Community Development Block 
                        Grant Program.
                            (vii) The Indian Housing Block Grant 
                        Program under section 101 of the Native 
                        American Housing Assistance and Self-
                        Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4111).
                            (viii) Loan guarantees under title VI of 
                        the Native American Housing Assistance and 
                        Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4191 
                        et seq.) (commonly known as the ``Title VI Loan 
                        Guarantee Program'').
                            (ix) The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative.
                            (x) The HOME Investment Partnerships 
                        Program authorized under title II of the 
                        Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing 
                        Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.).
                            (xi) The Housing Trust Fund established 
                        under section 1338 of the Federal Housing 
                        Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act 
                        of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4568).
                            (xii) The Housing Opportunities for Persons 
                        With AIDS Program authorized under the AIDS 
                        Housing Opportunity Act (42 U.S.C. 12901 et 
                        seq.).
                    (F) The American Job Centers of the Employment and 
                Training Administration of the Department of Labor.
                    (G) The Library Services and Technology Grant 
                Programs of the Institute of Museum and Library 
                Services.
            (5) Office.--The term ``Office'' means the Office of 
        Internet Connectivity and Growth established under section 3.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF INTERNET CONNECTIVITY AND GROWTH.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Assistant Secretary shall establish the Office of Internet 
Connectivity and Growth within the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration.

SEC. 4. DUTIES.

    (a) In General.-- The Office shall--
            (1) connect with communities that need access to high-speed 
        internet and improved digital inclusion efforts through various 
        forms of outreach and communication techniques;
            (2) hold regional workshops across the United States to 
        share best practices and effective strategies for promoting 
        broadband access and adoption;
            (3) develop targeted broadband training and presentations 
        for various demographic communities through various media;
            (4) develop and distribute publications (including 
        toolkits, primers, manuals, and white papers) providing 
        guidance, strategies, and insights to communities as the 
        communities develop strategies to expand broadband access and 
        adoption; and
            (5) as applicable in carrying out paragraphs (1) through 
        (4), cooperate with State agencies that provide similar 
        broadband investments, outreach, and coordination through 
        Federal programs.
    (b) Relation to Current Broadband Activities of NTIA.--The 
Assistant Secretary shall assign to the Office all activities performed 
by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration as of 
the date of enactment of this Act that are similar to the activities 
required to be conducted by the Office under this Act.

SEC. 5. STREAMLINED APPLICATIONS FOR SUPPORT.

    (a) Agency Consultation.--The Office shall consult with any agency 
offering a Federal broadband support program to streamline and 
standardize the application process for grants or other financial 
assistance from the program.
    (b) Agency Streamlining.--Any agency offering a Federal broadband 
support program shall amend the application for broadband support from 
that program, to the extent practicable and as necessary, to streamline 
and standardize applications for Federal broadband support programs 
across the Federal Government.
    (c) Single Application.--To the greatest extent practicable, the 
Office shall seek to create 1 application that may be submitted to 
apply for all, or substantially all, Federal broadband support 
programs.
    (d) Website Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Office shall create a central website 
through which a potential applicant can learn about and apply for 
support through any Federal broadband support program.

SEC. 6. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

    Nothing in this Act is intended to alter or amend any provision of 
section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254).

SEC. 7. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.

    No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this Act. This Act shall be carried out using amounts otherwise 
authorized.
                                                       Calendar No. 567

116th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 1046

                          [Report No. 116-274]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 To establish the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, and for 
                            other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                            October 1, 2020

                       Reported with an amendment