Washington, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Republican Leader Bob Latta (R-OH) released the following statement after the Senate passed the bipartisan Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act (S.1822 ):
“Access to high speed internet is vital in today’s interconnected world, yet over 21 million Americans - including one-fourth of the rural population - still cannot access standard broadband services. To expand broadband to communities that need it, we must know exactly where those communities are. The bipartisan Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act will do just that, by improving mapping capabilities so we collect more accurate data, boost connectivity, and make sure our limited resources are used most effectively. We thank our Senate colleagues for moving swiftly to pass this important bill that takes steps to improve connectivity for all Americans, regardless of zip code, and look forward to President Trump signing it into law," Walden and Latta said.
Background:
The Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act (S. 1822 ) would improve broadband mapping by requiring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue new rules on and establish a process for the collection and dissemination of broadband availability data.
This bill passed the Senate initially in December 2019 and the House last week. It includes initiatives from two bipartisan House efforts to improve broadband mapping and the accuracy of data collected, including:
H.R. 4229, the “Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act" or the “Broadband DATA Act," introduced by Energy and Commerce Reps. Bob Latta (R-OH) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA): This legislation requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue new rules to require the collection and dissemination of granular broadband availability data and to establish a process to verify the accuracy of such data, and more.
H.R. 4227, the “Mapping Accuracy Promotion Services Act" or the “MAPS Act," introduced by Energy and Commerce Reps. Billy Long (R-MO) and A. Donald McEachin (D-VA): This legislation specifies that it is unlawful for a person to willfully, knowingly, or recklessly submit inaccurate broadband service data.
The Energy and Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over the FCC.
