Home Internet Accessibility Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9493
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-07T05:08:21Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to assess the current ability of federally assisted housing to support broadband internet access and to create a forward-looking plan for improvements where needed.
Key Provisions
- Requires the Comptroller General to deliver a report to Congress within one year that examines broadband availability in federally assisted housing.
- The report must break down data by state, congressional district, ZIP code, and census tract, including demographic details and responsible federal agencies.
- It must analyze which properties lack the infrastructure for broadband deployment and would need retrofitting, along with cost and timeline estimates for full coverage.
- The report must review challenges to expansion, compare rural versus urban/suburban market dynamics, and draw lessons from prior retrofit efforts.
- It must evaluate the existing ConnectHome pilot program run by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in consultation with the Comptroller General and other agencies, to develop and submit to Congress within 18 months a plan for retrofitting federally assisted housing to support broadband service.
- Defines “broadband service” by reference to existing Federal Communications Commission regulations and “federally assisted housing” as units assisted by HUD or the Department of Agriculture programs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill does not amend or repeal any current statutes. It adds new reporting and planning requirements for the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Increases workload for the Comptroller General and HUD in data collection, analysis, and plan development.
- Citizens: Could eventually improve internet access for residents of federally assisted housing, particularly in underserved areas.
- No direct effects on international relations are addressed in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Residents of federally assisted housing.
- The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture.
- The Government Accountability Office.
- Congress, which will receive the report and plan.
- Broadband service providers and local housing authorities involved in future implementation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure imposes administrative duties on executive agencies without creating new regulatory authority or altering individual rights. It raises no apparent constitutional concerns and operates within Congress’s oversight role over federal housing programs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
Cosponsors (7)
Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2026-06-25: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-25: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Home Internet Accessibility Act — issued 2026-06-25 — PDF (4 pages)