WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, chaired by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), announced today a hearing for Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “Closing the Digital Divide: Broadband Infrastructure Solutions."
After #SubCommTech members introduced legislation last week, the subcommittee will discuss a path forward for improving broadband infrastructure in rural America.
“Expanding broadband infrastructure to the approximately 23 million Americans who lack sufficient access is a top priority of this subcommittee. We are taking steps in the right direction with this legislative hearing, as the bills up for discussion will bring us closer to bridging the digital divide and improving high-speed internet access across the country. I look forward to a bipartisan conversation on removing the barriers to buildout, supporting innovation, and strengthening the public safety benefits that come with broadband," said Chairman Blackburn.
The following legislation will be discussed:
* H.Res. 687, Expressing the sense of the House that Federal, State, and Local taxes, fees, regulations and permitting policies should be reconciled to maximize broadband investment, sponsored by Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).
* H.Res. 689, Expressing the sense of the House that any funding for wireless infrastructure deployment should be prioritized to states that have enacted streamlined siting for small cells, sponsored by Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC).
* H.Res. 690, Expressing the sense of the House that broadband funds may not be used where there is an existing broadband provider, sponsored by Representative Leonard Lance (R-NJ).
* H.Res. 691, Expressing the sense of the House that broadband deployment should be competitively and technologically neutral, sponsored by Representative Bob Latta (R-OH).
* H.Res. 701, Expressing the sense of the House that environmental and historic studies required for broadband deployment should be limited to the area impacted, sponsored by Representative Bill Flores (R-TX).
* H.R. 2479, “Leading Infrastructure for Tomorrow’s America Act, " sponsored by Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr., (D-NJ).
* H.R. 3994, “ACCESS BROADBAND Act," sponsored by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY).
* H.R. 4287, “Broadband Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, " sponsored by Representative Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM).
* H.R. 4795, “Communications Facilities Deployment on Federal Property Act of 2018, " sponsored by Representative Mimi Walters (R-CA).
* H.R. 4798, “Inventory of Assets for Communications Facilities Act of 2018, " sponsored by Representative Chris Collins (R-NY).
* H.R. 4802, “Streamlining and Expediting Approval for Communications Technologies Act, "sponsored by Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL).
* H.R. 4810, “Making Available Plans to Promote Investment in Next Generation Networks without Overbuilding and Waste (MAPPING NOW) Act," sponsored by Representatives Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Brett Guthrie (R-KY).
* H.R. 4813, “Wireless Internet Focus on Innovation in Spectrum Technology for Unlicensed Deployment (WIFI STUDy) Act," sponsored by Representative Ryan Costello (R-PA).
* H.R. 4814, “Community Broadband Act of 2018, " sponsored by Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA).
* H.R. 4817, “Promoting Exchanges for Enhanced Routing of Information so Networks are Great (PEERING) Act," sponsored by Representative Billy Long (R-MO).
* H.R. 4832, “Restoring Economic Strength and Telecommunications Operations by Releasing Expected Dollars (RESTORED) Act, " sponsored by Representative Kevin Cramer (R-ND).
* H.R. 4845, “Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act, "sponsored by Representative Pete Olson (R-TX).
* H.R. 4842, “The Streamlining Permitting to Enable Efficient Deployment of Broadband Infrastructure, "sponsored by Representative John Shimkus (R-IL).
* H.R. 4847, “Broadband Deployment Streamlining Act, " sponsored by Representative Susan Brooks (R-IN).
* H.R. 4858, “CLIMB ONCE Act, " sponsored by Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA).
The Majority Memorandum, witness testimony, and an archived webcast are available online HERE.
