PLAN for Broadband Act
- Bill Number
- S. 323
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-01: By Senator Cruz from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 119-123. Minority views filed.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T20:26:41Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to create a National Strategy to Synchronize Federal Broadband Programs. The goal is to improve coordination among federal agencies, reduce duplication and administrative burdens, and support efficient deployment of high-speed, affordable broadband internet access service nationwide while promoting fiscal responsibility.
Key Provisions
- National Strategy (Section 3): Requires development within one year of a strategy that lists federal and state/local broadband programs, identifies coordination gaps, sets roles and performance measures for covered agencies, addresses costs and barriers, recommends incentives for state and tribal governments, and focuses on tribal lands and fraud prevention.
- Implementation Plan (Section 4): Mandates a plan within 120 days of the strategy, including streamlined policies, accountability measures, common data standards using existing maps, plans to reduce waste, and public comment periods.
- Reporting and Oversight (Sections 5–7): Includes regular briefings to Congress, a Government Accountability Office study on effectiveness, and agency reports on populating the Deployment Locations Map.
- Amendments to Existing Law (Sections 8–9): Updates processing timelines for communications use applications on federal lands and expands FAST Act permitting processes to include certain broadband projects exceeding $5 million.
- Rule of Construction (Section 10): Explicitly states that the Act does not grant the federal government or state, local, or tribal governments authority to regulate broadband internet access service.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 6409(b)(3) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 to require executive agencies to track application processing times, analyze delays, and report annually on factors affecting 270-day deadlines.
- Amends Section 41001(6)(A) of the FAST Act to classify qualifying broadband infrastructure projects as covered projects under streamlined environmental review processes.
- Introduces new coordination requirements across 15 covered agencies and mandates use of specific mapping tools for award decisions.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Covered agencies must align policies, share data, and report consistently, potentially reducing overlapping programs and improving permitting for infrastructure on federal lands.
- Citizens: Aims to expand access in underserved areas, including tribal lands, while minimizing wasteful spending through better mapping and anti-duplication rules.
- International Relations: No direct provisions or impacts identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies including the FCC, NTIA, USDA, HHS, HUD, and regional commissions.
- State, local, and tribal governments receiving or administering broadband funding.
- Broadband providers and infrastructure developers seeking permits or grants.
- Residents in unserved or underserved areas.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Emphasizes technological neutrality in program design and sets subsidy caps for high-cost areas.
- Includes explicit limits on federal regulatory authority over broadband service.
- Requires interagency mechanisms and public reporting to enhance accountability without altering existing jurisdictional boundaries.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-01: By Senator Cruz from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 119-123. Minority views filed.
- 2026-06-01: By Senator Cruz from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 119-123. Minority views filed.
- 2026-05-21: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 421.
- 2026-05-21: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with amendments. Without written report.
- 2026-05-21: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with amendments. Without written report.
- 2025-03-12: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
- 2025-01-29: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2025-01-29: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act — issued 2025-01-29 — PDF (19 pages)
- Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (20 pages)