119th Congress Science, Technology, Communications
H.R. 1870: SPEED for BEAD Act
Introduced
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed House (not reached)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
This bill makes certain changes to the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, including by expanding the broadband technologies that may qualify for funding and prohibiting states from regulating broadband rates in connection with the program.
(The BEAD Program is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and provides funding to eligible entities for broadband deployment, connectivity, mapping, and adoption projects. Eligible entities include U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia.)
Specifically, the bill establishes that projects using any broadband technology (e.g., satellite, fixed wireless, or fiber) may qualify for funding, provided the technology meets specified performance criteria. (Original BEAD rules established a preference for fiber projects.)
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The bill also explicitly prohibits eligible entities from regulating, setting, or otherwise mandating pursuant to the BEAD Program (1) rates charged for broadband service, or (2) methodologies used to calculate such rates. The prohibition includes rate regulation carried out in conjunction with the existing requirement that subgrantees offer at least one low-cost broadband service option to certain subscribers.
Further, the bill prohibits the NTIA and eligible entities from establishing or enforcing conditions, preferences, or other requirements related to collective bargaining and labor agreements; climate change; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and other topics. The bill also modifies the purposes for which the funds may be used and the treatment of unused funds.
Finally, the bill replaces the term Equity in the program’s name with Expansion.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Rick Allen R-GAOriginal
- Gus Bilirakis R-FLOriginal
- Katherine Cammack R-FLOriginal
- Earl Carter R-GAOriginal
- Dan Crenshaw R-TXOriginal
- Neal Dunn R-FLOriginal
- Russ Fulcher R-IDOriginal
- Russell Fry R-SCOriginal
- Craig Goldman R-TXOriginal
- Erin Houchin R-INOriginal
- John Joyce R-PAOriginal
- Robert Latta R-OHOriginal
- Jay Obernolte R-CAOriginal
- August Pfluger R-TXOriginal
- Julie Fedorchak R-ND
- Mariannette Miller-Meeks R-IA
- Jack Bergman R-MI
- Pat Harrigan R-NC
- Randy Weber R-TX
- Robert Wittman R-VA
- Virginia Foxx R-NC
- Roger Williams R-TX
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History
- Introduced in the House by Richard Hudson.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
- Introduced in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.