Broadband Deployment and Economic Impact Study Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9286
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T13:47:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to examine the practical aspects of different broadband technologies and report findings to Congress. The goal is to gather data on how these technologies perform in real-world conditions.
Key Provisions
- The Assistant Secretary must conduct a study covering workforce needs, deployment costs, suitability for different locations, performance metrics (such as speed and delay), expected lifespan of equipment, and monthly consumer costs.
- The study must address the following technologies: fiber-optic cable, cable modem, digital subscriber line, fixed wireless, 4G and 5G mobile wireless, low-earth orbit satellite, and geostationary orbit satellite.
- A report summarizing the study results must be submitted to Congress within one year of the bill’s enactment.
- Definitions clarify that “Assistant Secretary” refers to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, and “broadband internet access service” follows the meaning in existing federal regulations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces a new requirement for a federal study and congressional report on broadband technologies. It does not amend or repeal any current statutes but adds a one-time information-gathering mandate to the responsibilities of the Department of Commerce.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will need to allocate resources to complete the study and report within the one-year deadline.
- Citizens: The resulting report could inform future decisions about broadband availability and pricing across different areas.
- International relations: No direct effects are outlined, though the study includes satellite technologies that operate globally.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Congress, which will receive the report.
- The Department of Commerce and its Assistant Secretary.
- Broadband service providers using the listed technologies.
- Consumers who subscribe to broadband services.
- State and local governments involved in broadband planning.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The legislation raises no apparent constitutional concerns and operates within Congress’s authority to direct executive agencies to produce reports. It has no immediate political or enforcement implications beyond requiring the production of factual information on broadband infrastructure.
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 (7)
Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Broadband Deployment and Economic Impact Study Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-11 — PDF (3 pages)