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US HB3212
Bill
Status
5/6/2025
Primary Sponsor
Brad Finstad
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AI Summary
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Establishes the "Last Acre Program" within 1 year of enactment, providing competitive grants and loans to broadband providers to deliver qualifying connectivity (minimum 100 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload) to unserved and underserved agricultural land
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Federal cost share capped at 80% of project costs, increased to 90% for limited resource farmers or ranchers with gross farm sales under $100,000 and income at or below poverty level
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Creates competitive bidding process requiring providers to register with USDA, submit applications, and allows 120 days for competing bids; Secretary must select lowest-cost provider meeting connectivity needs within 30 business days
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Authorizes $20 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, with no more than 10% going to Agricultural Research Service centers; prioritizes unserved eligible land in remote areas first
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Requires National Agricultural Statistics Service to update census of agriculture surveys to collect data on farm broadband subscription rates, speeds, and precision agriculture usage
Legislative Description
LAST ACRE Act of 2025 Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2025
Science, technology, communications
Last Action
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.
5/6/2025