PLAN for Broadband

Summary#

This measure directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to create a "National Strategy to Close the Digital Divide." The Assistant Secretary must finish the Strategy within 1 year and submit it to the appropriate congressional committees. The Strategy must list federal, State, and local programs related to broadband; describe current coordination; identify gaps and laws that hinder coordination; set roles, goals, and performance measures for the covered agencies; address costs and needed investments; and cover issues for Tribal lands and permitting on federal property.

The bill names a set of "covered agencies" that must be part of the Strategy. Examples include the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Agriculture, NTIA, the Department of Education, HUD, the Department of Transportation, and several regional commissions and agencies. The Assistant Secretary must consult consumer groups, experts, providers, Tribal entities, and State and local officials while developing the Strategy.

After the Strategy is submitted, the Assistant Secretary must produce an Implementation Plan within 120 days. That plan must explain how roles and performance measures will be carried out, set accountability and meeting requirements among agency heads, describe public engagement, adopt common data sets and applications for federal awards (including use of broadband maps), and plan to monitor and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse. The bill requires public comment on the Implementation Plan and regular briefings to the named congressional committees. It also says the measure must not change the authority of the Federal Communications Commission.

The Comptroller General must study how well the Strategy and Implementation Plan work and report recommendations to the same congressional committees within one year after the Implementation Plan is submitted.

What it means for you#

• The measure requires federal officials to write a coordinated plan to improve how federal broadband programs work together. It does not by itself give funding or change the FCC's authority.
• State, local, and Tribal governments would be part of planning and may see changes to how they apply for and administer federal broadband funds if the Strategy and Implementation Plan are adopted.
• Providers, consumer groups, and the public can be asked for input during the Strategy and Implementation Plan development and during public comment periods.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The text of the measure states its purpose: to support better management of Federal broadband programs, synchronize interagency coordination, lower costs and administrative burdens for State, local, and Tribal participants, and streamline access to federal property for broadband infrastructure.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.