Technology (Broadband Access)

in committee · United States · House Jan 15, 2026

HR 1519: Public Safety Communications Act

HR 1519, the Public Safety Communications Act, creates a dedicated Office of Public Safety Communications within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This office, led by a career-appointed Associate Administrator, manages federal grants for Next Generation 9-1-1 systems, analyzes public safety communication policies, and oversees the First Responder Network Authority (which operates the nationwide public safety broadband network). The office is responsible for testing new communication technologies, auditing the First Responder Network Authority annually, and advising federal agencies on public safety communication matters. This bill directly affects federal agencies managing emergency communications and ultimately impacts first responders who rely on these systems.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates federal office to manage grants for public safety broadband network and Next Generation 9-1-1 systems, advancing critical technology infrastructure for emergency services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Public Safety

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in committee · United States · House Mar 6, 2025

HR 1899: Audio-Only Telehealth Access Act of 2025

The Audio-Only Telehealth Access Act of 2025 would require Medicare to cover and pay for telehealth visits conducted over the phone (audio-only), not requiring video, during the emergency period defined in the Social Security Act. This change would directly affect Medicare beneficiaries - particularly older adults or those in rural areas with limited internet access - and healthcare providers who offer telehealth services. The bill amends Section 1834(m)(9) of the Social Security Act to include audio-only visits under existing Medicare coverage rules, ensuring providers receive reimbursement at the same rate as video telehealth. It expands access to care by removing the need for video technology during the specified emergency period.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicare to cover audio-only telehealth visits, expanding access for rural/elderly beneficiaries with limited internet, directly improving patient access and coverage under healthcare policy.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAllows Medicare telehealth via phone, bypassing internet requirements for rural/elderly beneficiaries, promoting digital equity without internet access barriers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Mental Health Telehealth Broadband Access

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in committee · United States · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 1731: Standard FEES Act

HR 1731, the Standard FEES Act, establishes a uniform fee schedule for processing specific government forms related to easements, rights-of-way, and leases for communications facilities (like cell towers) on federal property. It requires the Administrator of General Services to set fees based on actual processing costs and ensure they are fair for all applicants, with limited exceptions only for public benefit (such as broadband expansion) granted case-by-case by agency heads. The bill directly affects federal agencies (like the GSA and FCC) and applicants (e.g., telecom companies) seeking to use federal land for communications infrastructure. Fees collected must cover processing costs and override any conflicting existing fee rules under other laws.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes fair fees for cell tower infrastructure with explicit exceptions for broadband expansion, directly advancing internet access infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Sep 17, 2025

HR 5424: Energizing Our Communities Act

HR 5424, the *Energizing Our Communities Act*, creates a fund to provide payments to communities hosting major new or upgraded electric power transmission projects (those capable of moving 999 megawatts or more). The fund, financed by a portion of interest collected on specific federal energy loans, pays host communities (municipalities or tribes) within 18 months of project construction starting. Communities must use 80% of funds for local services like schools, broadband, parks, or workforce training, and at least 20% for conservation, recreation, or climate resilience projects like habitat restoration or park access. The bill requires annual reports to Congress on fund usage and payments.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill funds transmission infrastructure (critical for renewable energy integration) via a dedicated community payment system, aligning with clean energy infrastructure investment indicators.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates 80% of fund use for broadband infrastructure as part of community services, directly expanding internet access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Transmission Broadband Access

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in committee · United States · House Dec 4, 2025

HR 6430: Junk Fee Prevention Act

The Junk Fee Prevention Act requires businesses to clearly disclose all fees upfront in advertisements and during purchases, including mandatory fees like baggage charges or seat selection. It prohibits excessive or deceptive fees and mandates transparent refund policies, particularly for tickets to events. The law applies to short-term lodging providers, ticket sellers, and communication services like broadband internet and phone services. Businesses must show the total price including all fees before consumers commit to a purchase, and air carriers must report revenue from ancillary fees like baggage and seat selection.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyApplies fee transparency rules to broadband providers, regulating tech services for consumer protection as part of communication services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · United States · House Jun 26, 2025

HR 4211: Brownfields Broadband Deployment Act

HR 4211, the Brownfields Broadband Deployment Act, removes environmental and historic preservation review requirements for broadband infrastructure projects on brownfield sites. It exempts covered projects - broadband deployments or modifications entirely within a brownfield site (a contaminated property) that require Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval - from needing standard environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and historic preservation reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act. This allows broadband providers to deploy or upgrade infrastructure on brownfields more quickly without waiting for those specific federal reviews. The bill directly affects broadband companies seeking to build on brownfield sites that require FCC permits.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves NEPA environmental reviews for broadband projects on contaminated sites, weakening regulatory oversight of environmental impacts.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRemoves regulatory barriers for broadband deployment on brownfield sites, directly advancing internet access infrastructure expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Hazardous Materials Broadband Access Telecommunications

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passed · United States · House Feb 12, 2026

HR 261: Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

The Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 prohibits the National Marine Sanctuaries Act from requiring additional authorizations for undersea fiber optic cables that already have federal or state permits. It directly affects cable operators who have obtained licenses, leases, or permits from any federal or state agency for cable installation or maintenance in national marine sanctuaries. The bill prevents the Secretary from blocking or demanding new permits for these cables once they have valid existing authorization. This simplifies regulatory processes by eliminating redundant federal oversight for cables already approved by other agencies.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill protects undersea fiber optic cables which are critical energy infrastructure for data transmission and grid management, reducing regulatory barriers for cable operators.75% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill restricts environmental protections by preventing additional authorizations for undersea cables in marine sanctuaries, potentially weakening conservation requirements.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRemoves regulatory barriers for undersea fiber optic cables, enabling reliable internet infrastructure deployment and maintenance critical to internet access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · United States · House Feb 20, 2026

HR 7609: Rural Development Modernization Act

The Rural Development Modernization Act (HR 7609) increases the population threshold for determining "rural" status in Department of Agriculture programs from 20,000 or lower to 25,000 inhabitants. This change affects eligibility for broadband, telemedicine, housing, water, and sanitation programs serving rural communities across the country. The bill also removes military base population exclusions, clarifies definitions for U.S. territories and freely associated states, and requires the Secretary of Agriculture to annually reassess the population threshold based on census data and regional trends. These provisions aim to modernize how rural areas are defined for federal program eligibility.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands housing program eligibility by raising rural population threshold from 20k to 25k, including more communities in housing assistance programs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill modifies rural eligibility thresholds to expand broadband program access, directly advancing internet infrastructure for rural communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Broadband Access Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Apr 1, 2025

HR 2533: EASE Act of 2025

HR 2533, the EASE Act of 2025, requires Medicare and Medicaid to test a new telehealth model designed to improve specialty care access for rural and underserved Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries. The bill mandates the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to partner with nonprofit provider networks - comprising at least 50 community health centers or rural clinics (half in rural areas) - to deliver specialty care via telehealth and coordinate with primary care providers. Eligible individuals must be enrolled in Medicare Part B, Medicaid, or CHIP and reside in designated rural or underserved areas. The model requires networks to collect and evaluate data on service delivery, with funding subject to existing program rules. This creates a structured pilot program focused on expanding remote specialty care access in underserved regions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates telehealth expansion for rural/underserved Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries, improving specialty care access per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates telehealth implementation for rural healthcare access, promoting technology-driven care delivery and digital equity in underserved communities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Primary Care Telehealth Broadband Access Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Jun 12, 2025

HR 3960: Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2025

This bill exempts communications projects replacing disaster-damaged infrastructure from federal environmental (NEPA) and historic preservation (NHPA) review requirements. It applies specifically to projects within 5 years of a federally declared disaster (under the Stafford Act) that replace damaged facilities or make necessary recovery/improvement work for future resilience. The key mechanism removes the need for environmental assessments or historic preservation consultations for these projects, speeding up rebuilding of cell towers, networks, and emergency communications infrastructure. This directly affects telecom providers and local governments coordinating disaster recovery efforts after events like hurricanes or floods.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts disaster recovery projects from NEPA environmental review requirements, weakening environmental protections for infrastructure projects.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts communications infrastructure recovery from reviews, enabling faster restoration of internet access post-disaster, aligning with tech infrastructure support.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExempts disaster-recovery infrastructure projects from regulatory reviews, expediting rebuilding of transportation facilities like roads/highways post-disaster.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Natural Disasters Broadband Access Telecommunications Traffic Safety Tags Emergency Management

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