Quality Broadband for Connected Communities Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8144
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-27: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-13T19:28:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Quality Broadband for Connected Communities Act (H.R. 8144) aims to raise the minimum internet speed requirements for broadband projects funded by the Community Connect Grant Program, a federal initiative that provides grants to expand high-speed internet access in rural areas.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 604(a)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb-3(a)(2)), which governs the Community Connect Grant Program.
- Increases the minimum required broadband speeds for grant-eligible projects:
- Downstream speed (data sent to the user): from 10 megabits per second (Mbps) to 25 Mbps.
- Upstream speed (data sent from the user): from 1 Mbps to 3 Mbps.
- The changes take effect 6 months after the bill is enacted into law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Directly updates the speed thresholds in the existing law, making higher performance standards mandatory for future Community Connect grants.
- No other alterations to program eligibility, funding, or administration are made.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), particularly its Rural Utilities Service, will enforce stricter speed requirements when reviewing grant applications, potentially reducing the number of qualifying projects but ensuring better service quality.
- Citizens: Rural residents may gain access to faster, more reliable internet, improving online education, telehealth, remote work, and economic opportunities.
- No direct impact on international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural communities and residents: Primary beneficiaries through improved broadband access.
- Broadband providers and internet service companies: Must meet higher speed standards to qualify for grants, which could increase project costs but lead to upgraded infrastructure.
- USDA and federal grant administrators: Responsible for implementing and overseeing the updated requirements.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: A minor, technical amendment to an existing statute with no challenges to constitutional rights or authorities; relies on Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce and fund rural development.
- Political: Supports ongoing bipartisan efforts to bridge the "digital divide" in rural America, potentially influencing future infrastructure funding debates without introducing controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-27: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-03-27: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-03-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Quality Broadband for Connected Communities Act — issued 2026-03-27 — PDF (2 pages)