[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 203 (Monday, December 16, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H10287-H10291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT ACCURACY AND TECHNOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY ACT

  Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend 
the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4229) to require the Federal 
Communications Commission to issue rules relating to the collection of 
data with respect to the availability of broadband services, and for 
other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4229

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Broadband Deployment 
     Accuracy and Technological Availability Act'' or the 
     ``Broadband DATA Act''.

     SEC. 2. BROADBAND DATA.

       The Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

                      ``TITLE VIII--BROADBAND DATA

     ``SEC. 801. DEFINITIONS.

       ``In this title:
       ``(1) Broadband internet access service.--The term 
     `broadband internet access service' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal 
     Regulations, or any successor regulation.
       ``(2) Broadband map.--The term `Broadband Map' means the 
     map created by the Commission under section 802(c)(1)(A).
       ``(3) Cell edge probability.--The term `cell edge 
     probability' means the likelihood that the minimum threshold 
     download and upload speeds with respect to broadband internet 
     access service will be met or exceeded at a distance from a 
     base station that is intended to indicate the ultimate edge 
     of the coverage area of a cell.
       ``(4) Cell loading.--The term `cell loading' means the 
     percentage of the available air interface resources of a base 
     station that are used by consumers with respect to broadband 
     internet access service.
       ``(5) Clutter.--The term `clutter' means a natural or man-
     made surface feature that affects the propagation of a signal 
     from a base station.
       ``(6) Fabric.--The term `Fabric' means the Broadband 
     Serviceable Location Fabric established under section 
     802(b)(1)(B).
       ``(7) Form 477.--The term `Form 477' means Form 477 of the 
     Commission relating to local telephone competition and 
     broadband reporting.
       ``(8) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' has the 
     meaning given the term `Indian tribe' in section 4 of the 
     Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
     U.S.C. 5304).
       ``(9) Mobility fund phase ii.--The term `Mobility Fund 
     Phase II' means the second phase of the proceeding to provide 
     universal service support from the Mobility Fund (WC Docket 
     No. 10-90; WT Docket No. 10-208).
       ``(10) Propagation model.--The term `propagation model' 
     means a mathematical formulation for the characterization of 
     radio wave propagation as a function of frequency, distance, 
     and other conditions.
       ``(11) Provider.--The term `provider' means a provider of 
     fixed or mobile broadband internet access service.
       ``(12) Quality of service.--The term `quality of service' 
     means information regarding offered download and upload 
     speeds and latency of a provider's broadband internet access 
     service as determined by and to the extent otherwise 
     collected by the Commission.
       ``(13) Shapefile.--The term `shapefile' means a digital 
     storage format containing geospatial or location-based data 
     and attribute information--
       ``(A) regarding the availability of broadband internet 
     access service; and
       ``(B) that can be viewed, edited, and mapped in geographic 
     information system software.
       ``(14) Standard broadband installation.--The term `standard 
     broadband installation'--
       ``(A) means the initiation by a provider of fixed broadband 
     internet access service in an area where the provider has not 
     previously offered that service, with no charges or delays 
     attributable to the extension of the network of the provider; 
     and
       ``(B) includes the initiation of fixed broadband internet 
     access service through routine installation that can be 
     completed not later than 10 business days after the date on 
     which the service request is submitted.

     ``SEC. 802. BROADBAND MAPS.

       ``(a) Rules.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of this title, the Commission shall issue rules 
     that shall--
       ``(A) require the collection and dissemination of granular 
     data, as determined by the Commission--
       ``(i) relating to the availability and quality of service 
     of terrestrial fixed, fixed wireless, satellite, and mobile 
     broadband internet access service; and
       ``(ii) that the Commission shall use to compile the maps 
     created under subsection (c)(1) (referred to in this section 
     as `coverage maps'), which the Commission shall make publicly 
     available; and
       ``(B) establish--
       ``(i) processes through which the Commission can verify the 
     accuracy of data submitted under subsection (b)(2);
       ``(ii) processes and procedures through which the 
     Commission, and, as necessary, other entities or persons 
     submitting non-public or competitively sensitive information 
     under this title, can protect the security, privacy, and 
     confidentiality of such non-public or competitively sensitive 
     information, including--

       ``(I) information contained in the Fabric;
       ``(II) the dataset created under subsection (b)(1)(A) 
     supporting the Fabric; and
       ``(III) the data submitted under subsection (b)(2);

       ``(iii) the challenge process described in subsection 
     (b)(5); and
       ``(iv) the process described in section 803(b).
       ``(2) Other data.--In issuing the rules under paragraph 
     (1), the Commission shall develop a process through which the 
     Commission can collect verified data for use in the coverage 
     maps from--
       ``(A) State, local, and Tribal governmental entities that 
     are primarily responsible for mapping or tracking broadband 
     internet access service coverage for a State, unit of local 
     government, or Indian Tribe, as applicable;
       ``(B) third parties, including industry analysis, mapping, 
     or tracking of broadband internet access service coverage and 
     quality of service, if the Commission determines that it is 
     in the public interest to use such data in--
       ``(i) the development of the coverage maps; or
       ``(ii) the verification of data submitted under subsection 
     (b); and
       ``(C) other Federal agencies.
       ``(3) Updates.--The Commission shall revise the rules 
     issued under paragraph (1) to--
       ``(A) reflect changes in technology;
       ``(B) ensure the accuracy of propagation models, as further 
     provided in subsection (b)(3); and
       ``(C) improve the usefulness of the coverage maps.
       ``(b) Content of Rules.--
       ``(1) Establishment of a serviceable location fabric 
     regarding fixed broadband.--
       ``(A) Dataset.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Commission shall create a common 
     dataset of all locations in the United States where fixed 
     broadband internet access service can be installed, as 
     determined by the Commission.
       ``(ii) Contracting.--

       ``(I) In general.--Subject to subclauses (II) and (III), 
     the Commission may only contract with an entity with 
     expertise with respect to geographic information systems 
     (referred to in this subsection as `GIS') to create and 
     maintain the dataset under clause (i).
       ``(II) Application of the federal acquisition regulation.--
     A contract into which the

[[Page H10288]]

     Commission enters under subclause (I) shall in all respects 
     comply with applicable provisions of the Federal Acquisition 
     Regulation.
       ``(III) Limitations.--With respect to a contract into which 
     the Commission enters under subclause (I)--

       ``(aa) the entity with which the Commission contracts shall 
     be selected through a competitive bid process that is 
     transparent and open;
       ``(bb) the contract shall be for a term of not longer than 
     5 years, after which the Commission may enter into a new 
     contract--
       ``(AA) with an entity, and for the purposes, described in 
     clause (i); and
       ``(BB) that complies with the requirements under subclause 
     (II) and this subclause; and
       ``(cc) the contract shall prohibit the entity with which 
     the Commission contracts (and require such entity to include 
     in any contract with any other entity with which such entity 
     contracts a provision prohibiting such other entity) from 
     selling, leasing, or otherwise disclosing for monetary 
     consideration any personally identifiable information to any 
     entity other than for purposes authorized under this title.
       ``(B) Fabric.--The rules issued by the Commission under 
     subsection (a)(1) shall establish the Broadband Serviceable 
     Location Fabric, which shall--
       ``(i) contain geocoded information for each location 
     identified under subparagraph (A)(i);
       ``(ii) serve as the foundation upon which all data relating 
     to the availability of fixed broadband internet access 
     service collected under paragraph (2)(A) shall be reported 
     and overlaid;
       ``(iii) be compatible with commonly used GIS software; and
       ``(iv) at a minimum, be updated every 6 months by the 
     Commission.
       ``(C) Implementation priority.--The Commission shall 
     prioritize implementing the Fabric for rural and insular 
     areas of the United States.
       ``(2) Collection of information.--The rules issued by the 
     Commission under subsection (a)(1) shall include uniform 
     standards for the reporting of broadband internet access 
     service data that the Commission shall collect--
       ``(A) from each provider of terrestrial fixed, fixed 
     wireless, or satellite broadband internet access service, 
     which shall include data that--
       ``(i) documents the areas where the provider--

       ``(I) has actually built out the broadband network 
     infrastructure of the provider such that the provider is able 
     to provide that service; and
       ``(II) could provide that service, as determined by 
     identifying where the provider is capable of performing a 
     standard broadband installation, if applicable;

       ``(ii) includes information regarding download and upload 
     speeds, at various thresholds established by the Commission, 
     and, if applicable, latency with respect to broadband 
     internet access service that the provider makes available;
       ``(iii) can be georeferenced to the GIS data in the Fabric;
       ``(iv) the provider shall report as--

       ``(I) with respect to providers of fixed wireless broadband 
     internet access service--

       ``(aa) propagation maps and propagation model details 
     that--
       ``(AA) satisfy standards that are similar to those 
     applicable to providers of mobile broadband internet access 
     service under subparagraph (B) with respect to propagation 
     maps and propagation model details, taking into account 
     material differences between fixed wireless and mobile 
     broadband internet access service; and
       ``(BB) reflect the speeds and latency of the service 
     provided by the provider; or
       ``(bb) a list of addresses or locations that constitute the 
     service area of the provider, except that the Commission--
       ``(AA) may only permit, and not require, a provider to 
     report the data using that means of reporting; and
       ``(BB) in the rules issued under subsection (a)(1), shall 
     provide a method for using that means of reporting with 
     respect to Tribal areas; and

       ``(II) with respect to providers of terrestrial fixed and 
     satellite broadband internet access service--

       ``(aa) polygon shapefiles; or
       ``(bb) a list of addresses or locations that constitute the 
     service area of the provider, except that the Commission--
       ``(AA) may only permit, and not require, a provider to 
     report the data using that means of reporting; and
       ``(BB) in the rules issued under subsection (a)(1), shall 
     provide a method for using that means of reporting with 
     respect to Tribal areas; and
       ``(v) the Commission determines is appropriate with respect 
     to certain technologies in order to ensure that the Broadband 
     Map is granular and accurate; and
       ``(B) from each provider of mobile broadband internet 
     access service, which shall include propagation maps, and 
     propagation model details, that indicate the current (as of 
     the date on which the information is collected) fourth 
     generation Long-Term Evolution (commonly referred to as `4G 
     LTE') mobile broadband internet access service coverage of 
     the provider, which shall--
       ``(i) take into consideration the effect of clutter; and
       ``(ii) satisfy--

       ``(I) the requirements of having--

       ``(aa) a download speed of not less than 5 megabits per 
     second and an upload speed of not less than 1 megabit per 
     second with a cell edge probability of not less than 90 
     percent; and
       ``(bb) cell loading of not less than 50 percent; and

       ``(II) any other parameter that the Commission determines 
     to be necessary to create a map under subsection (c)(1)(C) 
     that is more precise than the map produced as a result of the 
     submissions under the Mobility Fund Phase II information 
     collection.

       ``(3) Update of reporting standards for mobile broadband 
     internet access service.--For the purposes of paragraph 
     (2)(B), if the Commission determines that the reporting 
     standards under that paragraph are insufficient to collect 
     accurate propagation maps and propagation model details with 
     respect to future generations of mobile broadband internet 
     access service technologies, the Commission shall immediately 
     commence a rulemaking to adopt new reporting standards with 
     respect to those technologies that--
       ``(A) shall be the functional equivalent of the standards 
     required under paragraph (2)(B); and
       ``(B) allow for the collection of propagation maps and 
     propagation model details that are as accurate and granular 
     as, or more accurate and granular than, the maps and model 
     details collected by the Commission under paragraph (2)(B).
       ``(4) Certification and verification.--With respect to a 
     provider that submits information to the Commission under 
     paragraph (2)--
       ``(A) the provider shall include in each submission a 
     certification from a corporate officer of the provider that 
     the officer has examined the information contained in the 
     submission and that, to the best of the officer's actual 
     knowledge, information, and belief, all statements of fact 
     contained in the submission are true and correct; and
       ``(B) the Commission shall verify the accuracy and 
     reliability of the information in accordance with measures 
     established by the Commission.
       ``(5) Challenge process.--
       ``(A) In general.--In the rules issued under subsection 
     (a)(1), and subject to subparagraph (B), the Commission shall 
     establish a user-friendly challenge process through which 
     consumers, State, local, and Tribal governmental entities, 
     and other entities or persons may submit coverage data to the 
     Commission to challenge the accuracy of--
       ``(i) the coverage maps;
       ``(ii) any information submitted by a provider regarding 
     the availability of broadband internet access service; or
       ``(iii) the information included in the Fabric.
       ``(B) Considerations; verification; response to 
     challenges.--In establishing the challenge process required 
     under subparagraph (A), the Commission shall--
       ``(i) consider--

       ``(I) the types of information that an entity or person 
     submitting a challenge should provide to the Commission in 
     support of the challenge;
       ``(II) the appropriate level of granularity for the 
     information described in subclause (I);
       ``(III) the need to mitigate the time and expense incurred 
     by, and the administrative burdens placed on, entities or 
     persons in--

       ``(aa) challenging the accuracy of a coverage map; and
       ``(bb) responding to challenges described in item (aa);

       ``(IV) the costs to consumers and providers resulting from 
     a misallocation of funds because of a reliance on outdated or 
     otherwise inaccurate information in the coverage maps;
       ``(V) any lessons learned from the challenge process 
     established under Mobility Fund Phase II, as determined from 
     comments solicited by the Commission; and
       ``(VI) the need for user-friendly challenge submission 
     formats that will promote participation in the challenge 
     process;

       ``(ii) include a process for verifying the data submitted 
     through the challenge process in order to ensure the 
     reliability of that data;
       ``(iii) allow providers to respond to challenges submitted 
     through the challenge process; and
       ``(iv) develop an online mechanism, which--

       ``(I) shall be integrated into the coverage maps;
       ``(II) allows for an entity or person described in 
     subparagraph (A) to submit a challenge under the challenge 
     process;
       ``(III) makes challenge data available in both geographic 
     information system and non-geographic information system 
     formats; and
       ``(IV) clearly identifies the areas in which broadband 
     internet access service is available, and the upload and 
     download speeds at which that service is available, as 
     reported to the Commission under this section.

       ``(C) Use of challenges.--The rules issued to establish the 
     challenge process under subparagraph (A) shall include--
       ``(i) a process for the speedy resolution of challenges; 
     and
       ``(ii) a process for the regular and expeditious updating 
     of the coverage maps and granular data the Commission 
     disseminates as challenges are resolved.
       ``(D) Automation tool.--Not earlier than 1 year after, and 
     not later than 18 months after, the rules issued under 
     subsection (a)(1) are implemented, the Commission shall, 
     after an opportunity for notice and comment, submit to the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate a report that--
       ``(i) evaluates the challenge process; and
       ``(ii) considers whether the Commission should amend its 
     rules to create an automated tool that includes predictive 
     capabilities to identify potential inaccuracies and features 
     that allow a provider of broadband internet access service, 
     the Commission, and the public to visualize the data relating 
     to broadband internet access service that the provider 
     reports in order to improve the accuracy of the data 
     submitted by the provider.
       ``(6) Reform of form 477 process.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     on which the rules issued under subsection (a)(1) take 
     effect, the Commission shall--
       ``(i) reform the Form 477 broadband deployment service 
     availability collection process of

[[Page H10289]]

     the Commission to achieve the purposes of this title and in a 
     manner that enables the comparison of data and maps produced 
     before the implementation of this title with data and 
     coverage maps produced after the implementation of this title 
     and maintains the public availability of broadband deployment 
     service availability data; and
       ``(ii) harmonize reporting requirements and procedures 
     regarding the deployment of broadband internet access service 
     that, as of the date on which the rules issued under 
     subsection (a)(1) take effect, are in effect.
       ``(B) Continued collection and reporting.--On and after the 
     date on which the Commission carries out subparagraph (A), 
     the Commission shall continue to collect and publicly report 
     subscription data that the Commission collected through the 
     Form 477 broadband deployment service availability collection 
     process, as in effect on July 1, 2019.
       ``(c) Maps.--The Commission shall--
       ``(1) after consulting with the Federal Geographic Data 
     Committee established by section 753(a) of the Geospatial 
     Data Act of 2018 (43 U.S.C. 2802(a)), create--
       ``(A) the Broadband Map, which shall depict--
       ``(i) the extent of the availability of broadband internet 
     access service in the United States, without regard to 
     whether that service is fixed broadband internet access 
     service or mobile broadband internet access service, which 
     shall be based on data collected by the Commission from all 
     providers; and
       ``(ii) the areas of the United States that remain unserved 
     by providers;
       ``(B) a map that depicts the availability of fixed 
     broadband internet access service, which shall be based on 
     data collected by the Commission from providers under 
     subsection (b)(2)(A); and
       ``(C) a map that depicts the availability of mobile 
     broadband internet access service, which shall be based on 
     data collected by the Commission from providers under 
     subsection (b)(2)(B);
       ``(2) use the maps created under paragraph (1)--
       ``(A) to determine the areas in which terrestrial fixed, 
     fixed wireless, mobile, and satellite broadband internet 
     access service is and is not available; and
       ``(B) when making any new award of funding with respect to 
     the deployment of broadband internet access service;
       ``(3) update the maps created under paragraph (1) not less 
     frequently than biannually using the most recent data 
     collected from providers under subsection (b)(2);
       ``(4) make available to all Federal agencies, upon request, 
     the maps created under paragraph (1);
       ``(5) establish a process to make the data collected under 
     subsection (b)(2) available to the National 
     Telecommunications and Information Administration; and
       ``(6) make public at an appropriate level of granularity--
       ``(A) the maps created under paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) the data collected by the Commission with respect to 
     broadband internet access service availability and quality of 
     service.
       ``(d) Delayed Effective Date of Quality of Service Rules.--
     Any requirement of a rule relating to quality of service 
     issued under subsection (a)(1) shall take effect not earlier 
     than the date that is 180 days after the date on which the 
     Commission issues such rule.

     ``SEC. 803. IMPROVING DATA ACCURACY.

       ``(a) Audits.--The Commission shall conduct regular audits 
     of information submitted to the Commission by providers under 
     section 802(b)(2) to ensure that the providers are complying 
     with this title.
       ``(b) Crowdsourcing.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall--
       ``(A) develop a process through which entities or persons 
     in the United States may submit specific information about 
     the deployment and availability of broadband internet access 
     service in the United States on an ongoing basis so that the 
     information may be used to verify and supplement information 
     provided by providers of broadband internet access service 
     for inclusion in the maps created under section 802(c)(1); 
     and
       ``(B) update the maps created under section 802(c)(1) on no 
     less than an annual cycle based on the information received 
     through such process.
       ``(2) Collaboration.--As part of the efforts of the 
     Commission to facilitate the ability of entities or persons 
     to submit information under paragraph (1), the Commission 
     shall--
       ``(A) prioritize the consideration of data provided by data 
     collection applications used by consumers that the Commission 
     has determined--
       ``(i) are highly reliable; and
       ``(ii) have proven methodologies for determining network 
     coverage and network performance; and
       ``(B) coordinate with the Postmaster General, or the heads 
     of other Federal agencies that operate delivery fleet 
     vehicles, to facilitate the submission of specific 
     information by the United States Postal Service or such other 
     agencies under paragraph (1).
       ``(c) Technical Assistance to Indian Tribes.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Commission 
     shall hold annual workshops for Tribal governments to provide 
     technical assistance with the collection and submission of 
     data under section 802(a)(2)(A).
       ``(2) Annual review.--Each year, the Commission, in 
     consultation with Indian Tribes, shall review the need for 
     continued workshops required under paragraph (1).
       ``(d) Technical Assistance to Small Service Providers.--The 
     Commission shall establish a process through which a provider 
     that has fewer than 100,000 active broadband internet access 
     service connections may request and receive assistance from 
     the Commission with respect to geographic information system 
     data processing to ensure that the provider is able to comply 
     with the rules issued under section 802(a)(1) in a timely and 
     accurate manner.
       ``(e) GAO Assessment of Fabric Source Data.--
       ``(1) Assessment.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct an assessment of key data sources that 
     are used for purposes of the Fabric to identify and geocode 
     locations where fixed broadband internet access service can 
     be installed, in order to develop recommendations for how the 
     quality and completeness of such data sources can be improved 
     as data sources for the Fabric. Data sources to be assessed 
     shall include any sources of relevant Federal data, including 
     the National Address Database administered by the Department 
     of Transportation, State- and county-level digitized parcel 
     data, and property tax record tax attribute recording.
       ``(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this title, the Comptroller General shall submit 
     to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate a report containing the 
     recommendations developed in the assessment under paragraph 
     (1).
       ``(f) Technical Assistance to Consumers and State, Local, 
     and Tribal Governmental Entities.--The Commission shall 
     provide technical assistance to consumers and State, local, 
     and Tribal governmental entities with respect to the 
     challenge process established under section 802(b)(5), which 
     shall include--
       ``(1) detailed tutorials and webinars; and
       ``(2) making available staff of the Commission to provide 
     assistance, as needed, throughout the entirety of the 
     challenge process.

     ``SEC. 804. COST.

       ``(a) Limitation.--The Commission may not use funds from 
     the universal service programs of the Commission established 
     under section 254, and the regulations issued under that 
     section, to carry out this title.
       ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Commission to carry out this 
     title--
       ``(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; and
       ``(2) $9,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2022 through 
     2028.

     ``SEC. 805. OTHER PROVISIONS.

       ``(a) OMB.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     initial rulemaking required under section 802(a)(1) shall be 
     exempt from review by the Office of Management and Budget.
       ``(b) PRA.--Chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code 
     (commonly known as the `Paperwork Reduction Act') shall not 
     apply to the initial rulemaking required under section 
     802(a)(1).
       ``(c) Execution of Responsibilities.--Except, with respect 
     to an entity that is not the Universal Service Administrative 
     Company, as provided in sections 802(a)(2)(B), 
     802(b)(1)(A)(ii), and 803(d), the Commission--
       ``(1) including the offices of the Commission, shall carry 
     out the responsibilities assigned to the Commission under 
     this title; and
       ``(2) may not delegate any of the responsibilities assigned 
     to the Commission under this title to any third party, 
     including the Universal Service Administrative Company.
       ``(d) Reporting.--Each fiscal year, the Commission shall 
     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 that 
     summarizes the implementation of this title and associated 
     enforcement activities conducted during the previous fiscal 
     year.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Michael F. Doyle) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Latta) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise 
and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 4229.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 
such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, first off, I want to thank Ranking Member Walden and his 
staff for their willingness and dedication in working with us to come 
to an agreement on this legislation and work with us to move it through 
the House.
  H.R. 4229, the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological 
Availability, or DATA, Act, introduced by Mr. Loebsack and subcommittee 
Ranking Member Latta, would require the Federal Communications 
Commission to take steps to address the many problems with our current 
broadband maps. We have talked about incomplete and inaccurate 
broadband maps for as long as I have been on the Energy and Commerce 
Committee, and I am glad that my colleagues were able to come together 
and finally address this important issue.

[[Page H10290]]

  Accurate maps of who does and doesn't have access to broadband are a 
critical first step in closing the digital divide. We can't hope to 
solve this problem if we don't know the scope of it and where to put 
our resources. This bill would dramatically improve the FCC broadband 
maps by requiring the FCC to collect and disseminate far more granular 
broadband data for both fixed and mobile services. The bill would also 
allow the FCC to use crowdsourced data to help verify and supplement 
carrier-provided data.
  This bill also integrates concepts and principles from H.R. 4128, the 
Map Improvement Act of 2019, introduced by Representatives Lujan, 
Bilirakis, and myself; H.R. 2643, the Broadband Mapping After Public 
Scrutiny Act of 2019, introduced by Ranking Member Latta and my good 
friend, Congressman Welch, who has been a leader on addressing the 
broadband mapping issue; and H.R. 3162, the Broadband Data Improvement 
Act of 2019, introduced by Representatives McMorris Rodgers and 
O'Halleran.
  H.R. 4229 is a commonsense bill with bipartisan support to fix a 
longstanding problem in our Nation's broadband maps.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Broadband DATA 
Act.
  Over the last several Congresses, I have been focused on improving 
our broadband availability maps, so we not only inject fiscal 
responsibility into our Federal programs but to also connect thousands 
of my constituents who lack basic access to a meaningful internet 
connection. As we approach the end of the second decade in the 21st 
century, we must ensure all Americans are able to participate in the 
digital economy.
  Since passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, the private sector 
has invested roughly $1.7 trillion in their networks using different 
technologies. This private investment in rural broadband deployment is 
commendable and needed, but we must also make sure that government-
supported solutions complement private investment instead of competing 
with it. The Broadband DATA Act will do just that. It will improve our 
Nation's coverage maps so that we can better pinpoint where internet 
access is and where it isn't. This accuracy is vital in directing 
Federal funds to communities that need it the most.
  That is why I am pleased to see this important broadband mapping 
legislation before us today. I have worked on this bill with my friends 
across the aisle--specifically my good friend, the gentleman from Iowa 
(Mr. Loebsack)--and in the Senate. I appreciate the renewed focus this 
Congress has on improving the broadband maps because it is critically 
important our future funding decisions are based upon data that is 
verified, accurate, and granular.
  As Members of Congress, we know our districts better than anyone, and 
we hear from those who do not have service. When we compared our 
knowledge with the existing maps, we recognized the need to take action 
and fix the maps to reflect reality.
  While the Broadband DATA Act will move us closer in that direction, 
it is an evolving landscape and inevitably we will need to continually 
evaluate their effectiveness. That is why this bill includes a robust, 
user-friendly challenge process to appropriately dispute potential 
inaccuracies within the coverage maps. The challenge process is yet 
another layer to ensuring Federal funds are going to communities that 
need it most and ultimately bridging the digital divide in Ohio and 
across the entire Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, today we are taking a meaningful step to promote 
broadband deployment in rural America. I urge my colleagues to support 
this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes 
to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack), who is the Democratic prime 
sponsor and author of this bill.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Doyle for yielding 5 
minutes to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here today to speak in support of my 
bill, the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability 
Act, or the Broadband DATA Act, which I introduced with my colleagues 
Representatives Latta, McEachin, and Long.
  I have spent my time at the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
advocating for the people of Iowa's Second District and for all rural 
Americans. I have had good partners on this committee. Congressman 
Latta and I have worked together on numerous issues, not just this one, 
and I appreciate the time and energy that Chairman Pallone and Chairman 
Doyle have spent on ensuring the issues important to Iowans get 
attention and because they understand that in 2019 it is simply 
unacceptable that many families and small businesses, farmers, 
educators, and healthcare providers in rural areas don't have the 
necessary access to high-speed internet.

  I have often said that there are two things needed to connect rural 
America to high-speed broadband, and that is dollars and data. Without 
reliable data, the dollars don't matter. As I have often said: garbage 
in is garbage out. You have to have good data to know where the 
problems exist, otherwise--maybe even more importantly--it is a waste 
of taxpayer dollars as well.
  When this bill becomes law, we will finally begin to fix the bad 
broadband maps that for too long have often misstated speed and 
availability throughout these rural areas in America. In order to 
actually fix the problem and get high-speed broadband in rural areas, 
we absolutely must have the best data available. It really is that 
simple. Without knowing where the high-speed broadband problems truly 
exist, we cannot properly invest in building out that access.
  That is why I am proud that the Broadband DATA Act will, first, 
require the FCC to collect granular service availability data from 
wired, fixed wireless, and satellite broadband providers; second, it 
will require strong parameters for service availability data that we 
collect from mobile broadband providers to ensure accuracy; and, third, 
it will create a challenge process. This is very important for 
consumers; State, local, and Tribal governments and other groups to 
challenge FCC maps with their own data.
  It requires the FCC to determine how to structure the process without 
making it overly burdensome on these challenges.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Chairmen Pallone and Doyle and 
Ranking Members Walden and Latta and all of the staff, in particular my 
staff over here, Scott. I urge all of my colleagues in this body to 
support this bill so that we can finally fix the maps and build 
broadband out to rural America.
  I have only been on the committee a short time relative to some 
others, and they have been talking about this for years. I thank 
Chairman Doyle and Representatives Latta and Walden for all the great 
work they provided on this.
  Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I have no more 
speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1630

  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely important that we have rural 
broadband access. It is not only to help our citizens but our students. 
We have to make sure that our businesses and our farmers all have the 
access they need to survive in this world that we live in today.
  Mr. Speaker, I highly urge our Members of this House to support this 
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 
such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel said at our last 
oversight hearing, we need accurate maps before we spend money, and we 
need better data if we want good deployments.
  More than that, I would add, the FCC needs to fix the maps that they 
have before they go out spending billions of dollars on broadband 
deployment in rural communities. Some of the funding choices the 
Commission has discussed making could impact these communities for the 
next 10 years.
  The Commission has also acted on a range of regulatory actions 
related to

[[Page H10291]]

deployment and competition using bad maps.
  To be honest, I think the FCC needs to fix its maps before it makes 
either funding or regulatory decisions. To be honest, it seems like the 
FCC is a fact-free zone when it comes to the disconnect between how bad 
their maps are and the kinds of actions they are taking.
  I want to thank the good work done by my colleague  Dave Loebsack. 
The broadband mapping issue has been a passion of his for a long time, 
and I am glad that we are acting to address it before Dave retires. I 
know that he and his staffer Scott Stockwell, who is celebrating his 
birthday--and I wish Scott a happy birthday--have worked hard to get 
this legislation to the floor today. It is a critical first step in 
getting our Nation on the right track to closing the digital divide.
  I also thank our committee staffers Jerry Leverich, Dan Miller, AJ 
Brown, Parul Desai, Phil Murphy, and Alex Hoehn-Saric on the majority 
staff, and Kate O'Connor, Evan Viau, Mike Engel, and Rachel Rathore on 
the minority staff for their hard work and diligence to get this bill 
to floor.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill and address a critical 
shortfall in our Nation's broadband deployment policy.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Michael F. Doyle) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4229, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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