Jon Husted (R-OH)
Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
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
This bill, titled the "Expanding Appalachia's Broadband Access Act," directs the Comptroller General of the United States to perform a specific study. The study focuses on whether the Appalachian Regional Commission can include satellites in its broadband projects. The Comptroller General must submit the results of this study to Congress within one year of enactment. The study requires a review of satellite broadband for business use, an evaluation of economic growth in areas using these services, and an analysis of cost-effectiveness.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill focuses on enhancing broadband capabilities specifically for the Appalachian region.
- Scored +3
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
The bill mandates a study on incorporating satellite technology into broadband projects to expand connectivity.
- Scored +3
Does this invest in rural communities?
The study evaluates satellite broadband as a tool for economic development within the Appalachian region.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Assessment of Satellite Broadband for Business: The study will review how satellite services can be used for business purposes, which could help identify ways to support local commerce (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Evaluation of Economic Growth: By evaluating economic development in areas that have already used satellite broadband for businesses, the study may identify successful models for growth (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: The requirement to analyze the cost-effectiveness of using satellites for economic development could help ensure future broadband projects are efficient uses of resources (Section 2(b)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the text provided.
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 focuses on enhancing broadband capabilities specifically for the Appalachian region. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Expanding broadband access through satellite study can help bridge the digital divide for lower-income areas.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill mandates a study on incorporating satellite technology into broadband projects to expand connectivity.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The study evaluates satellite broadband as a tool for economic development within the Appalachian region.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill directs a study on using satellite broadband for business purposes to aid economic development.
- 4/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland