“A bill to amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to establish the ReConnect program under that Act, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section revises Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (i.e., the rural broadband program administered by USDA Rural Utilities Service) by striking subsections (a) through (f) and inserting new provisions authorizing grants, loans, and grant-loan combinations for constructing, improving, or acquiring facilities and equipment to provide broadband service (defined as technology enabling high-quality voice, data, graphics, and video transmission) in rural areas (generally, areas other than those with >20,000 population or certain urban, tribal, or other excluded populations). Eligible projects must deliver at least 100 Mbps downstream and 100 Mbps upstream service in proposed territories where ≥75% of households lack access to 100 Mbps downstream/20 Mbps upstream service (≥90% for priority consideration and certain grant-only awards). The Secretary must prioritize projects in territories where ≥90% lack 100/20 Mbps service or that serve <10,000 residents, areas with outmigration and strategic investment plans, high concentrations of low-income households, isolated locations, precision agriculture applications, or applicants with ≥5 years providing rural broadband or utilities. Grant-only awards are further limited to Tribal organizations, colonias, persistent poverty counties, socially vulnerable communities (as determined by the Secretary), or ≥90% unserved territories. Eligible entities—including state/local governments, territories, Indian Tribes, cooperatives, mutual organizations, and organizations of ≥2 incorporated areas—must apply as specified, complete buildout within five years, and participate in the Lifeline program or successor federal low-income internet affordability program.