SPEED for BEAD Act
SPEED for BEAD Act
Plain Language Summary
# SPEED for BEAD Act Summary **What It Does:** This bill would modify the federal Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which distributes federal funding to help expand internet access across the country. The main changes would broaden which types of internet technology can receive funding—currently, the program favors fiber-optic networks, but this bill would equally allow satellite, fixed wireless, and other broadband technologies to qualify as long as they meet certain performance standards. The bill would also prevent states from regulating or controlling broadband rates for services funded through the program. **Who It Affects:** States, territories, and the District of Columbia would be directly affected, as they administer BEAD funding in their regions. Internet service providers offering different technologies (satellite, wireless, fiber) would benefit from expanded funding eligibility.
Communities seeking broadband expansion would be impacted by which technologies receive priority. States' regulatory authority would be limited under the proposed changes. **Current Status:** The bill (HR 1870) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House. It has not advanced further in the legislative process.
CRS Official Summary
Streamlining Program Efficiency and Expanding Deployment for BEAD Act or the SPEED for BEAD ActThis bill makes certain changes to the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, including by expanding the broadband technologies that may qualify for funding and prohibiting states from regulating broadband rates in connection with the program. (The BEAD Program is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and provides funding to eligible entities for broadband deployment, connectivity, mapping, and adoption projects. Eligible entities include U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia.) Specifically, the bill establishes that projects using any broadband technology (e.g., satellite, fixed wireless, or fiber) may qualify for funding, provided the technology meets specified performance criteria. (Original BEAD rules established a preference for fiber projects.)The bill also explicitly prohibits eligible entities from regulating, setting, or otherwise mandating pursuant to the BEAD Program (1) rates charged for broadband service, or (2) methodologies used to calculate such rates. The prohibition includes rate regulation carried out in conjunction with the existing requirement that subgrantees offer at least one low-cost broadband service option to certain subscribers. Further, the bill prohibits the NTIA and eligible entities from establishing or enforcing conditions, preferences, or other requirements related to collective bargaining and labor agreements; climate change; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and other topics. The bill also modifies the purposes for which the funds may be used and the treatment of unused funds. Finally, the bill replaces the term Equity in the program’s name with Expansion.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.