[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 106 (Monday, June 25, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S4376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3083. Mr. PETERS (for himself and Mrs. Capito) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 2, to provide 
for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of 
the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2023, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle B of title VI, add the following:

     SEC. 6211. COMMUNITY BROADBAND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

       (a) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the 
     term ``eligible entity'' means--
       (1) a local government agency;
       (2) a regional agency;
       (3) a nonprofit organization with relevant expertise; or
       (4) a public-private partnership.
       (b) Grants.--The Secretary shall make broadband technical 
     assistance and planning grants to eligible entities to 
     conduct assessments and develop action plans for the 
     expansion of broadband services in the area served by the 
     eligible entity.
       (c) Qualified Activities.--An eligible entity may use a 
     grant awarded under this section to--
       (1) establish a multi-stakeholder broadband planning team;
       (2) determine the extent to which broadband service is 
     accessible in the community or region served by the eligible 
     entity by--
       (A) undertaking a physical comprehensive inventory of 
     broadband infrastructure assets and capabilities; and
       (B) developing a geographic information system (commonly 
     known as ``GIS'')-based map of existing serviceability;
       (3) assess current broadband adoption rates in the 
     community or region;
       (4) assess advertised broadband service pricing in the 
     community or region across all available providers;
       (5) obtain professional advice or guidance on--
       (A) options to expand broadband service, including public-
     private partnerships;
       (B) potential sustainable financial models; or
       (C) grant writing; or
       (6)(A) identify and analyze government policies, 
     ordinances, or statutes that may be hindering broadband 
     expansion; and
       (B) make recommendations for modification.
       (d) Award Amount Limitation.--The amount of a grant awarded 
     under this section shall be not more than $200,000.
       (e) Term.--A grant awarded under this section--
       (1) shall be for an initial term of 1 year; and
       (2) may be renewed by the Secretary for a single additional 
     term of 1 year in the same amount as initially provided.
       (f) Funding.--The Secretary shall carry out this section 
     using--
       (1) amounts made available for technical assistance and 
     pre-development planning activities under section 779 of 
     division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 
     (Public Law 115-141); and
       (2) any other amounts available to the Secretary.
       (g) Other Conditions.--The requirements under section 779 
     of division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 
     (Public Law 115-141) shall apply to grants awarded under this 
     section, except to the extent that those requirements are 
     inconsistent with this section.
       (h) Program Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out this 
     section during fiscal year 2018 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter, subject to the availability of funds.
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