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US HB3280
Bill
Status
5/8/2025
Primary Sponsor
Randy Feenstra
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AI Summary
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Amends Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize grants, loans, and loan guarantees for construction, improvement, and acquisition of broadband facilities in rural areas with populations under 20,000
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Requires funded broadband projects to deliver minimum 100 Mbps symmetrical speeds to rural households, with Secretary authority to increase this threshold over time
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Authorizes up to $500 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030, with 3-5% reserved for technical assistance and training to help applicants prepare grant and loan applications
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Prioritizes unserved rural communities lacking 25 Mbps downstream/3 Mbps upstream service, communities under 10,000 residents, areas experiencing out-migration, and projects supporting precision agriculture
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Caps grants at 75% of project costs (100% for areas with fewer than 7 households per square mile), with loan terms up to 35 years at Treasury borrowing rates or 4% for direct loans; program authority terminates September 30, 2030
Legislative Description
Rural Broadband Modernization Act
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.
5/8/2025