119 HR 2474 RH: Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-03-20 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.

IBUnion Calendar No. 486119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 2474[Report No. 119–565]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 27, 2025Mr. Taylor introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureMarch 20, 2026Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 27, 2025A 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 satellite broadband

(a)

In general

Not later than 1 year 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 satellites in broadband projects.(b)

Requirements

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

Amend the title so as to read: A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the capability of the Appalachian Regional Commission to include satellites in broadband projects, and for other purposes..March 20, 2026Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed