David Taylor (R-OH)
Rural Broadband Assistance Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — 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.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Rural Broadband Assistance Act amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to create a Broadband Technical Assistance Program. This program allows the Secretary to provide grants to various organizations to help eligible entities expand broadband access in rural communities. These grants cover tasks like preparing loan applications, conducting feasibility studies, and improving financial management. Eligible entities include tribal groups, governments, educational institutions, nonprofits, and private corporations. Priority for grants is given to organizations with experience in providing technical assistance to rural entities.
Yes· 3 of 29
- Scored +10
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill is specifically targeted at improving broadband access for rural communities.
- Scored +10
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
The primary purpose of the bill is to expand broadband access in rural communities.
- Scored +9
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill is specifically designed to provide technical assistance for rural broadband expansion.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Rural Broadband Access: The bill provides technical assistance and training specifically to expand broadband service in rural communities (Section 2, subsection (e)(1)).
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Support for Application and Planning: Eligible entities can receive help preparing grant and loan applications, conducting market surveys, and creating technical designs (Section 2, subsection (e)(1)(A) and (C)).
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Financial and Operational Improvement: The program offers assistance in identifying financing resources and improving the financial management and efficiency of broadband facilities (Section 2, subsection (e)(1)(B) and (E)).
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Broad Eligibility: A wide range of groups can benefit, including federally recognized Tribes, local governments, institutions of higher education, and nonprofits (Section 2, subsection (e)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for people are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill is specifically targeted at improving broadband access for rural communities. Would farmers be better off under this? — Broadband expansion is critical for modern agricultural technology and farm management. Would business owners be better off under this? — Rural business owners benefit from technical assistance and improved digital connectivity. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Explicitly identifies federally recognized Tribes and Tribal entities as eligible for assistance. Would students be better off under this? — Provides crucial internet access for students in rural areas and supports higher education institutions. Would children be better off under this? — Increases access to online educational resources for rural children. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Provides assistance to expand broadband to underserved, often low-income, rural areas. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Supports economic opportunities for adults in rural areas. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Improves access to telehealth and social connectivity for elderly rural residents. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Provides better connectivity for remote work and education opportunities. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Explicitly includes HBCUs as eligible entities for broadband technical assistance. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Explicitly includes Hispanic-Serving Institutions as eligible entities. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Generally improves infrastructure for all rural residents. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Improved internet access facilitates remote work and telehealth for people with disabilities. Would retired people be better off under this? — Increases access to digital services and telehealth for rural retirees. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Benefits those residing in rural areas through improved connectivity. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Benefits those residing in rural areas through improved connectivity. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Provides general infrastructure improvements, though less critical for those already connected.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Provides technical assistance to entities that can help small rural businesses access better digital infrastructure. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Improved rural connectivity fosters economic development and growth in underserved regions. Is this likely to create jobs? — Expanding broadband infrastructure typically leads to increased job creation in rural areas.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The primary purpose of the bill is to expand broadband access in rural communities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill is specifically designed to provide technical assistance for rural broadband expansion.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Reducing the digital divide is linked to improved economic opportunities and poverty reduction in rural areas. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Specifically includes HBCUs and Tribal entities as eligible for assistance, reducing the digital divide.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Rural broadband expansion directly supports the deployment of telehealth services. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Expanded broadband can facilitate increased access to telehealth and remote mental health services.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — Better connectivity in rural areas facilitates easier interstate commerce and trade. Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases the scope of the Secretary's authority through a new grant program.
- 9/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2025
- 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Eric SorensenDemocrat · Illinois
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia