LAST ACRE Act of 2025
LAST ACRE Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# LAST ACRE Act of 2025 Summary **What it does:** The LAST ACRE Act would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide grants and loans to help bring broadband and wireless internet to farms and rural agricultural areas. The funding would support projects that connect farming equipment like tractors, irrigation systems, and drones to the internet, as well as build wireless infrastructure in farming regions that currently lack adequate broadband service. **Who it affects:** Farmers and agricultural operations in rural areas without reliable high-speed internet would be the primary beneficiaries. Broadband and wireless service providers would also be affected, as they could apply to USDA for funding to build these networks.
Only projects on actively-used agricultural land would qualify for support. **Current status:** The bill (HR 3212) is currently in committee in the House of Representatives and has not yet been voted on. It was introduced by Republican Representative Brad Finstad from Minnesota. No further action has been taken as of now.
CRS Official Summary
Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2025 or the LAST ACRE Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make grants and loans to facilitate broadband and wireless connectivity projects on active agricultural land.To be eligible for support, projects must involve (1) the provision of broadband service to structures and devices, including tractors, irrigation systems, and drones; (2) the provision of wireless connectivity to facilitate data transmission between structures and devices; or (3) activities that support the construction of wireless infrastructure. Projects must involve agricultural land that is used for the active production of agricultural commodities or livestock and that lacks broadband service at specified minimum speeds.To apply for funding, a broadband or wireless connectivity provider must submit an initial bid to USDA relating to a project on eligible agricultural land. The application must include information on the provider’s engagement with the relevant farmer or rancher and a description of how the grant or loan assistance would be used to establish connectivity on the land. Once an initial bid is received, USDA must allow other providers that operate on or near the relevant land to submit competing bids.Separately, the bill requires USDA to include in certain surveys of U.S. farmers questions related to whether and how respondents use broadband service at farm sites.Finally, the bill repeals two USDA loan and grant programs that support innovative broadband projects and middle mile broadband infrastructure, respectively.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.