US SB98

FCC must initiate a rulemaking within 180 days to establish a vetting process for applicants seeking high-cost universal service program funding for broadband network deployment

Applicants must demonstrate technical, financial, and operational capabilities along with a reasonable business plan to deploy the proposed network and deliver services meeting FCC performance requirements

FCC will evaluate proposals against established technical, financial, and operational standards, including Digital Opportunity Data Collection (WC Docket No. 19-195) standards and the applicant's compliance history with government broadband deployment programs

Pre-authorization default penalties set at minimum $9,000 per violation, with base forfeiture not less than 30% of total support unless FCC demonstrates need for lower penalties in specific cases

Vetting requirements apply only to new funding awards based on applications submitted after the rules are promulgated, covering funding through reverse competitive bidding and other mechanisms