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Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act

USA117th CongressS-745| Senate 
| Updated: 3/15/2021
Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (18)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2026, revises, and establishes grants and activities to promote access to telecommunications services, including broadband internet. The bill addresses digital equity and inclusion through grants and by requiring studies on barriers to adopting broadband services and related matters. The bill addresses broadband affordability and access. It (1) reauthorizes and expands programs that subsidize or support broadband services for, among others, eligible households, schools, and minority communities; and (2) establishes a program for expanding broadband service for underserved areas and community support organizations (e.g., religious organizations). Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must expand programs that verify an individual's eligibility for subsidized telecommunications services. The bill addresses matters concerning broadband data. The FCC must (1) issue rules for collecting pricing data and labels for disclosing information about broadband plans to consumers, and (2) collaborate and share data with federal agencies and stakeholders. The bill makes financing (e.g., low-interest loans) available to communities and public-private partnerships for broadband infrastructure investments and creates grants to establish or expand certain internet exchange facilities and submarine cable landing stations. Additionally, the Department of Transportation must require states to install conduits for broadband cables as part of certain highway projects. The bill also sets up a task force on nationwide dig once requirements (i.e., policies or practices to minimize excavations of highway rights-of-way when installing telecommunications infrastructure). Further, the bill preempts state laws that prohibit certain telecommunications service providers (e.g., public providers) from providing high-speed broadband services.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4131
Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
Mar 15, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 15, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Apr 28, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-1783
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4131
    Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act


  • March 15, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 15, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • April 28, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-1783
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 117-3703: Nationwide Dig Once Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1714: Speedy Updates Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1590: Tribal Internet Expansion Act of 2021
  • S 117-741: Broadband Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1672: Connect America Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1631: Community Broadband Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1700: Broadband Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1783: Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
  • S 117-724: A bill to require the Federal Communications Commission to make the provision of Wi-Fi access on school buses eligible for E-rate support.
  • S 117-1460: Community Broadband Act of 2021
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdult education and literacyAgingAppropriationsCardiovascular and respiratory healthCommunity life and organizationComputers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentDepartment of CommerceDigital mediaDisability and paralysisEconomic developmentEducational facilities and institutionsElementary and secondary educationEmergency medical services and trauma careExecutive agency funding and structureFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Food assistance and reliefForeign language and bilingual programsGovernment information and archivesGovernment lending and loan guaranteesGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHealth care coverage and accessHealth facilities and institutionsHealth technology, devices, suppliesHigher educationIndian social and development programsInfectious and parasitic diseasesInfrastructure developmentInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaLabor-management relationsLabor standardsLaw enforcement administration and fundingLibraries and archivesMedicaidMotor carriersMotor vehiclesMuseums, exhibitions, cultural centersPerformance measurementPoverty and welfare assistancePreschool educationPublic contracts and procurementPublic housingPublic-private cooperationRacial and ethnic relationsRight of privacyRoads and highwaysRural conditions and developmentSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsState and local government operationsTelecommunication rates and feesTelephone and wireless communicationUnemploymentVeterans' education, employment, rehabilitationWages and earnings

Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act

USA117th CongressS-745| Senate 
| Updated: 3/15/2021
Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2026, revises, and establishes grants and activities to promote access to telecommunications services, including broadband internet. The bill addresses digital equity and inclusion through grants and by requiring studies on barriers to adopting broadband services and related matters. The bill addresses broadband affordability and access. It (1) reauthorizes and expands programs that subsidize or support broadband services for, among others, eligible households, schools, and minority communities; and (2) establishes a program for expanding broadband service for underserved areas and community support organizations (e.g., religious organizations). Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must expand programs that verify an individual's eligibility for subsidized telecommunications services. The bill addresses matters concerning broadband data. The FCC must (1) issue rules for collecting pricing data and labels for disclosing information about broadband plans to consumers, and (2) collaborate and share data with federal agencies and stakeholders. The bill makes financing (e.g., low-interest loans) available to communities and public-private partnerships for broadband infrastructure investments and creates grants to establish or expand certain internet exchange facilities and submarine cable landing stations. Additionally, the Department of Transportation must require states to install conduits for broadband cables as part of certain highway projects. The bill also sets up a task force on nationwide dig once requirements (i.e., policies or practices to minimize excavations of highway rights-of-way when installing telecommunications infrastructure). Further, the bill preempts state laws that prohibit certain telecommunications service providers (e.g., public providers) from providing high-speed broadband services.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4131
Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
Mar 15, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 15, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Apr 28, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-1783
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4131
    Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act


  • March 15, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 15, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • April 28, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-1783
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.
Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (18)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 117-3703: Nationwide Dig Once Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1714: Speedy Updates Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1590: Tribal Internet Expansion Act of 2021
  • S 117-741: Broadband Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1672: Connect America Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1631: Community Broadband Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1700: Broadband Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1783: Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
  • S 117-724: A bill to require the Federal Communications Commission to make the provision of Wi-Fi access on school buses eligible for E-rate support.
  • S 117-1460: Community Broadband Act of 2021
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdult education and literacyAgingAppropriationsCardiovascular and respiratory healthCommunity life and organizationComputers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentDepartment of CommerceDigital mediaDisability and paralysisEconomic developmentEducational facilities and institutionsElementary and secondary educationEmergency medical services and trauma careExecutive agency funding and structureFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Food assistance and reliefForeign language and bilingual programsGovernment information and archivesGovernment lending and loan guaranteesGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHealth care coverage and accessHealth facilities and institutionsHealth technology, devices, suppliesHigher educationIndian social and development programsInfectious and parasitic diseasesInfrastructure developmentInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaLabor-management relationsLabor standardsLaw enforcement administration and fundingLibraries and archivesMedicaidMotor carriersMotor vehiclesMuseums, exhibitions, cultural centersPerformance measurementPoverty and welfare assistancePreschool educationPublic contracts and procurementPublic housingPublic-private cooperationRacial and ethnic relationsRight of privacyRoads and highwaysRural conditions and developmentSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsState and local government operationsTelecommunication rates and feesTelephone and wireless communicationUnemploymentVeterans' education, employment, rehabilitationWages and earnings