PLAN for Broadband Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2805

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-08-27T08:05:34Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The PLAN for Broadband Act (H.R. 2805) aims to address the "digital divide"—the gap in access to high-speed internet—by requiring the development of a national strategy and implementation plan. This strategy focuses on improving federal broadband programs to ensure affordable, high-speed internet access for all Americans, enhancing coordination among government agencies, reducing administrative hurdles, and streamlining infrastructure deployment on federal property.

Key Provisions

• National Strategy Development (Section 2): Within one year of enactment, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information (head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA) must create and submit a strategy to Congress. It must be developed in consultation with multiple federal agencies and include public input from consumers, experts, broadband providers, Tribal entities, and state/local governments. Key elements include:
• Listing all federal and state/local broadband programs (initiatives to expand deployment, access, affordability, or adoption of internet service).
• Describing current federal coordination efforts and identifying legal or other barriers to better collaboration.
• Defining roles, goals, and performance metrics for agencies managing broadband programs.
• Addressing costs, resource needs, and ways to lower burdens for state, local, and Tribal governments.
• Recommending incentives, laws, and actions to improve efficiency, reduce program duplication, and resolve funding conflicts.
• Covering streamlined permitting for broadband infrastructure on federal property and special issues for Tribal lands.
• Identifying barriers for regional economic groups to participate in programs.

• Implementation Plan (Section 3): Within 120 days of submitting the strategy, the Assistant Secretary must submit a detailed plan to Congress, after seeking public comments. It must outline:
• Steps to assign and enforce agency roles, goals, and metrics.
• Mechanisms for interagency meetings, public engagement, and accountability.
• Adoption of uniform data standards (e.g., using federal broadband maps) and application processes for funding awards.
• Plans to monitor and prevent waste, fraud, or abuse in programs, including consistent reporting on spending.
• Efforts to boost awareness and participation in affordability/adoption programs.
• Needed administrative or legislative changes.

• Briefings and Oversight (Section 4): A congressional briefing is required 21 days after the implementation plan's submission, with updates every 90 days until full rollout. The Assistant Secretary must execute the plan but cannot override the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) authority.

• Independent Review (Section 5): The Government Accountability Office (GAO, Congress's nonpartisan watchdog) must study the strategy and plan's effectiveness in closing the digital divide and report recommendations to Congress within one year of the implementation plan's submission.

• Definitions (Section 6): Clarifies terms like "covered agencies" (14 federal entities, including FCC, USDA, NTIA, and others involved in broadband), "federal broadband program" (any agency initiative promoting internet access), and "appropriate committees of Congress" (Senate Commerce Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill does not directly amend prior laws but introduces new mandates building on existing frameworks, such as the Communications Act of 1934 (which includes broadband mapping requirements) and the ACCESS BROADBAND Act (which standardizes grant applications). It requires fresh coordination strategies, uniform reporting, and GAO oversight, potentially leading to recommended legislative fixes for gaps in current laws that hinder program efficiency or Tribal access. It emphasizes reducing duplication without altering agency jurisdictions.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Covered agencies will face new coordination requirements, regular meetings, and performance metrics, potentially streamlining operations but increasing administrative workload initially. This could reduce wasteful spending and improve permitting for infrastructure on federal lands, easing broadband deployment.
• Citizens: Enhanced access to affordable high-speed internet, particularly for underserved rural, low-income, or Tribal communities, could boost education, healthcare, and economic opportunities by closing the digital divide. Increased program awareness may encourage more enrollment in affordability initiatives.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved domestic broadband infrastructure could indirectly strengthen U.S. competitiveness in global digital economies; no cross-border provisions are specified beyond noting potential for regional economic organizations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: Covered agencies (e.g., FCC, NTIA, USDA) responsible for coordination and implementation.
• State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Benefit from reduced barriers and incentives for funding distribution, with specific focus on Tribal lands.
• Broadband Providers and Infrastructure Developers: Gain from streamlined permitting on federal property and reduced duplication in programs.
• Consumers and Public Groups: Especially economically or socially disadvantaged individuals, who may see improved access and affordability.
• Congress and Oversight Bodies: Appropriate committees receive reports and briefings; GAO conducts evaluations.
• Regional Economic Organizations: Addressed for potential inclusion in programs to support cross-border development.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces interagency collaboration without encroaching on independent agencies like the FCC, preserving its regulatory autonomy (e.g., over spectrum or licensing). Recommendations may lead to future laws addressing barriers, such as easement approvals on federal property.
• Constitutional: Involves federal property management (e.g., rights-of-way for infrastructure), aligning with Congress's commerce clause authority to regulate interstate communications. No direct challenges to states' rights, but it eases burdens on local/Tribal participation.
• Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Reps. Walberg and Peters) signals broad support for efficient federal spending on infrastructure. It promotes accountability to prevent fraud and duplication, potentially influencing budget debates, but focuses on administrative solutions over new funding.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-04-09: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-09: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act — issued 2025-04-09 — PDF (12 pages)