PLAN for Broadband Act (S. 323)

Summary

Creates a national plan to make sure all government internet programs work together to bring fast, cheap internet to everyone in the U.S.

What problem does this solve?

Many different government groups have their own programs to expand internet access, which can be confusing and waste money. This bill creates one main strategy to guide all these groups, making their work more efficient and effective.

What does this bill do?

Creates a national broadband strategy

Directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to develop a national strategy to coordinate all federal programs that support internet access. The goal is to make these programs more efficient and fiscally responsible.

Requires an implementation plan

Requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to create a detailed plan for how the national broadband strategy will be put into action by all involved government agencies.

Improves tracking for communication project permits

Amends a previous law to require federal agencies to better track and speed up the approval process for applications to build internet infrastructure on government property.

Mandates a Government Accountability Office study

Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study how well the new strategy and plan work and to recommend improvements.

Requires agencies to report on broadband mapping

Forces federal agencies to report on their progress in providing data for the national 'Deployment Locations Map,' which shows where internet service is and is not available.

Prevents new government regulation of the internet

States that nothing in the act gives the government new authority to regulate broadband internet service.

Who does this affect?

Federal agencies with broadband programs
Telecommunications companies
State, local, and Tribal governments

What is the real world impact?

•

Prevents new internet regulations

Includes a rule stating that this law cannot be used to create new government regulations for internet service. This may be intended to reassure internet companies that the government will not control prices or how they run their networks.

•

Speeds up internet infrastructure projects

Streamlines the process for getting permits to build internet infrastructure on federal land. This could help internet companies build networks faster and with less paperwork.

When does this start?

This bill sets several deadlines for creating plans, reports, and studies after it becomes law.

Agency map reporting

Within 60 days of the bill becoming law, federal agencies must report their progress on providing data for the national broadband map.

National broadband strategy

A national strategy to coordinate federal broadband programs must be developed within one year of the bill becoming law.

Implementation plan

A plan to put the national strategy into action must be created within 120 days after the strategy is submitted to Congress.

GAO study

The Government Accountability Office must begin a study on the new strategy's effectiveness within one year after the implementation plan is submitted.

Quarterly progress briefings

The Assistant Secretary must brief Congress on the implementation progress every 90 days until the plan is fully in place.