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Rural Internet Improvement Act of 2022

USA117th CongressS-5137| Senate 
| Updated: 11/29/2022
John Thune

John Thune

Republican Senator

South Dakota

Cosponsors (3)
Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Deb Fischer (Republican)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Rural Internet Improvement Act of 2022 This bill merges the pilot ReConnect Loan and Grant Program with existing loans and grants provided by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to facilitate broadband access to rural areas that lack sufficient access to broadband. Unobligated amounts available for the pilot program must be transferred and made available, without further appropriations, to this merged program. The bill specifies eligibility criteria and other requirements that apply to the merged program. For example, the bill limits funds from the merged program to projects in areas where at least 90% of the households lack sufficient access to broadband services, which is currently required under the pilot program. Other changes in the bill address procedures for contesting the accuracy of broadband maps that are used to identify eligible areas. It also requires efforts to increase coordination concerning broadband initiatives between USDA, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Telecommunications Information Administration.
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Timeline
Nov 29, 2022
Introduced in Senate
Nov 29, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • November 29, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 29, 2022
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Science, Technology, Communications

Broadcasting, cable, digital technologiesComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightGovernment information and archivesInfrastructure developmentInternet, web applications, social mediaPublic utilities and utility ratesRural conditions and development

Rural Internet Improvement Act of 2022

USA117th CongressS-5137| Senate 
| Updated: 11/29/2022
Rural Internet Improvement Act of 2022 This bill merges the pilot ReConnect Loan and Grant Program with existing loans and grants provided by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to facilitate broadband access to rural areas that lack sufficient access to broadband. Unobligated amounts available for the pilot program must be transferred and made available, without further appropriations, to this merged program. The bill specifies eligibility criteria and other requirements that apply to the merged program. For example, the bill limits funds from the merged program to projects in areas where at least 90% of the households lack sufficient access to broadband services, which is currently required under the pilot program. Other changes in the bill address procedures for contesting the accuracy of broadband maps that are used to identify eligible areas. It also requires efforts to increase coordination concerning broadband initiatives between USDA, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Telecommunications Information Administration.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Nov 29, 2022
Introduced in Senate
Nov 29, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • November 29, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 29, 2022
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
John Thune

John Thune

Republican Senator

South Dakota

Cosponsors (3)
Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Deb Fischer (Republican)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologiesComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightGovernment information and archivesInfrastructure developmentInternet, web applications, social mediaPublic utilities and utility ratesRural conditions and development