HR 3212 IH: Reforms for Rural Broadband Infrastructure (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-119hr3212ih)

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Rural Broadband Infrastructure Reform Act of 2025".

Subtitle A - Rural broadband development programs

(a) Findings—Congress finds that— •   The rural broadband landscape in the United States is among the most underserved and underinvested in the nation, with many rural areas lacking reliable access to high-speed internet; and •   The lack of investment in rural broadband infrastructure hinders economic growth, social opportunity, and digital equity for rural Americans.

(b) Improving broadband availability—The Secretary, in consultation with the Governor of each State and local leaders, shall establish a national initiative to improve broadband availability in rural areas.

Subtitle B - Rural broadband grants and loans

(a) Establishment of program—There is established the Rural Broadband Grants and Loans Program to provide financial assistance to eligible entities for the development, upgrade, or acquisition of broadband infrastructure and services in rural areas.

(b) Eligible entities—An entity is considered an eligible entity if— •   it is a local government, public agency, non-profit organization, Indian tribe, or other entity that serves rural areas; and •   the entity has a demonstrated need for broadband infrastructure and services in a rural area.

(c) Grants—The Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities to— •   finance the development, upgrade, or acquisition of broadband infrastructure and services; and •   support the provision of low-cost internet access to rural residents.

Subtitle C - Rural broadband funding

(a) Appropriations—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

(b) Transfer of funds—The Secretary shall transfer from the general fund of the Treasury to the Rural Broadband Grants and Loans Program the amount available to the program under section 302(a) of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019, for each fiscal year after 2020.

Section 2. Definitions

(a) Definitions—In this part: •   The term "broadband" means broadband as defined in section 102 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. § 15302); and •   The term "rural area" has the meaning given by the Secretary, in consultation with the Governors of each State.

Section 3. National Agricultural Statistics Service data collection on broadband adoption

The Secretary of Agriculture shall update the computer usage and ownership survey conducted under section 20(b) of the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 (7 U.S.C. § 2204g) to include questions relating to— •   whether the respondent subscribes to a broadband internet access service for a farm site; and •   if the respondent subscribes to such a service, the download and upload speeds of the service and the purposes for which it is used.

The Secretary shall make the report required under paragraph (1) publicly available on the website of the Secretary.

Section 4. Repeal of sections 602 and 603 of the Act

Sections 602 and 603 of this title are repealed.

Sec. 701(c)(2) of the Act amended

Section 701(c)(2) of this title is amended by striking subparagraph (B) and redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B).