Broadband Fairness Act

The Broadband Fairness Act (S 4930) requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to redirect funds from defaulted broadband awards to the relevant state government, rather than returning them to the U.S. Treasury. If a recipient fails to meet FCC requirements (e.g., missing deadlines or being deemed ineligible), the geographic area covered by the award becomes eligible for other broadband programs, and forfeited funds are made available to the state government to provide the intended broadband benefits. The state must maintain the original speed requirements for the service and may supplement these funds with its own resources. This bill directly affects state governments and broadband recipients in FCC-funded programs, ensuring unused federal broadband funds continue supporting community deployment.