,,ii  #aag? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #bdgc  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,july #bf1 #bjba,ms4   
,ros5 7= h]self & ,mr4 ,k+7 introduc$ ! 
foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$  
to ! ,committee on ,comm]ce1 ,sci5ce1 & 
,transportation  ,a ,,bill  ,to provide 
grants = ! con/ruction1 improvem5t1 &   
acquisition ( middle mile infra/ructure4
  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ 
z ! ,middle ,mile ,broadb& ,deploym5t   
,act4  #b4 ,enabl+ middle mile broadb&  
infra/ructure  7a7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is   
section3 7#a7 ,an*or in/itution ,! t]m  
an*or in/itution means a s*ool1 libr>y1 
m$ical or heal?c>e provid]1 community   
college or o!r in/itution ( high]       
education1 or o!r community support     
organization or entity4  7#b7 ,assi/ant 
,secret>y ,! t]m ,assi/ant ,secret>y    
means ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce =
 ,communications & ,in=mation4  7#c7    
,commission ,! t]m ,commission means !  
,f$]al ,communications ,commission4     
7#d7 ,eligible entity ,! t]m eligible   

entity means-- 7,a7 a ,/ate1 political  
subdivision ( a ,/ate1 ,tribal gov]nm5t1
 te*nology company1 electric utility1   
utility coop]ative1 public utility      
di/rict1 telecommunications company1    
telecommunications coop]ative1 nonpr(it 
f\ndation1 nonpr(it corporation1        
nonpr(it in/itution1 nonpr(it           
association1 regional plann+ c\nsel1    
,native entity1 or economic developm5t  
au?ority2 or  7,b7 a p>tn]%ip ( #b or m 
entities describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a74   
7#e7 ,,fcc fix$ broadb& map ,! t]m ,,fcc
 fix$ broadb& map means ! map creat$ by 
! ,commission "u section                
#hjb7;c77#a77;,b7 ( ! ,communications   
,act ( #aicd 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4             
#fdb7;c77#a77;,b774  7#f7 ,indian ,tribe
 ,! t]m ,indian ,tribe has ! mean+ giv5 
! t]m 9 section #d ( ! ,indian          
,self-,det]m9ation & ,education         
,assi/ance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74  
7#g7 ,int]connect ,! t]m int]connect    
means ! physical l9k+ ( #b networks = ! 
mutual ex*ange ( traffic on             

non-discrim9atory t]ms & conditions4    
7#h7 ,int]net ex*ange facility ,! t]m   
int]net ex*ange facility means physical 
infra/ructure ?r\gh :i* int]net s]vice  
provid]s & cont5t deliv]y networks      
ex*ange int]net traffic betwe5 _!       
networks4  7#i7 ,middle mile            
infra/ructure ,! t]m middle mile        
infra/ructure-- 7,a7 means any broadb&  
infra/ructure t does n connect directly 
to an end-us] location1 includ+ an an*or
 in/itution2 &  7,b7 includes-- 7i7     
leas$ d>k fib]1 int](fice transport1    
backhaul1 int]net ex*ange facilities1   
c>ri]-neutral subm>9e cable l&+ /ations1
 und]sea cables1 transport connectivity 
to data c5t]s1 special access transport1
 & o!r simil> s]vices2 &  7ii7 wir$ or  
private wireless broadb& infra/ructure1 
includ+ micr[ave capacity1 radio t[]    
access1 & o!r s]vices or infra/ructure =
 a private wireless broadb& network1 su*
 z t[]s1 fib]1 & micr[ave l9ks4  7#aj7  
,middle mile grant ,! t]m middle mile   
grant means a grant aw>d$ "u subsection 

7c74  7#aa7 ,native entity ,! t]m       
,native entity means-- 7,a7 an ,indian  
,tribe2  7,b7 an ,alaska ,native        
,corporation2  7,c7 a ,native ,hawaiian 
organization 7z def9$ 9 section #fbjg ( 
! ,elem5t>y & ,second>y ,education ,act 
( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #geag772  7,d7 ! 
,dep>tm5t ( ,hawaiian ,home ,l&s2 &     
7,e7 ! ,(fice ( ,hawaiian ,affairs4     
7#ab7 ,/ate ,! t]m ,/ate has ! mean+    
giv5 ! t]m 9 section #c ( !             
,communications ,act ( #aicd 7#dg       
,u4,s4,c4 #aec74  7#ac7 ,subm>9e cable  
l&+ /ation ,! t]m subm>9e cable l&+     
/ation means a cable l&+ /ation1 z t t]m
 is us$ 9 section #a4gfg7;a77#e7 ( title
 #dg1 ,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations 7or   
any successor regulation71 t c be       
utiliz$ to l& a subm>9e cable by an     
entity t has obta9$ a lic5se "u ! fir/  
section ( ! ,act entitl$ ,an ,act relat+
 to ! l&+ & op]ation ( subm>9e cables 9 
! ,unit$ ,/ates1 approv$ ,may #bg1 #aiba
 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #cd7 7commonly kn[n z ! 
,cable ,l&+ ,lic5s+ ,act74  7#ad7       

,tribal gov]nm5t ,! t]m ,tribal gov]nm5t
 means ! recogniz$ gov]n+ body ( any    
,indian or ,alaska ,native tribe1 b&1   
nation1 pueblo1 village1 community1     
compon5t b&1 or compon5t res]vation1    
individually id5tifi$ 7includ+          
p>5!tically7 9 ! li/ publi%$ mo/ rec5tly
 z ( ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act       
pursuant to section #ajd ( ! ,f$]ally   
,recogniz$ ,indian ,tribe ,li/ ,act (   
#aiid 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #eaca74  7#ae7     
,tru/ l& ,! t]m tru/ l& has ! mean+ giv5
 ! t]m 9 section #cgfe ( title #ch1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  7#af7 ,und]s]v$ ,!
 t]m und]s]v$1 ) respect to an area1    
means an area-- 7,a7 t is designat$ z a 
,tribally und]s]v$ area ?r\gh ! process 
describ$ 9 subsection 7g72 or  7,b7 t-- 
7i7 is ( a /&>d size n l>g] ?an a c5sus 
block1 z e/abli%$ by ! ,commission2     
7ii7 is n an uns]v$ area2 &  7iii7 z    
det]m9$ 9 accordance ) ! ,,fcc fix$     
broadb& map1 does n h access to broadb& 
s]vice )-- 7,i7 except z provid$ 9      
subclause 7,,ii7-- 7aa7 a d[nload spe$ (

 n less ?an #ajj megabits p] second2 &  
7bb7 an upload spe$ ( n less ?an #bj    
megabits p] second2 or  7,,ii7 m9imum   
d[nload & upload spe$s e/abli%$ z       
b5*m>ks by ! ,commission = purposes (   
?is ,act aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is   
,act1 if ^? m9imum spe$s are high] ?an !
 m9imum spe$s requir$ "u subclause 7,i74
  7#ag7 ,uns]v$ ,! t]m uns]v$1 ) respect
 to an area1 means an area-- 7,a7 t is  
designat$ z a ,tribally und]s]v$ area   
?r\gh ! process describ$ 9 subsection   
7g72 or  7,b7 t-- 7i7 is ( a /&>d size n
 l>g] ?an a c5sus block1 z e/abli%$ by !
 ,commission2 &  7ii7 z det]m9$ 9       
accordance ) ! ,,fcc fix$ broadb& map1  
does n h access to broadb& s]vice-- 7,i7
 except z provid$ 9 subclause 7,,ii7--  
7aa7 a d[nload spe$ ( n less ?an #be    
megabits p] second2 &  7bb7 an upload   
spe$ ( n less ?an #c megabits p] second2
 or  7,,ii7 m9imum d[nload & upload     
spe$s e/abli%$ z b5*m>ks by !           
,commission = purposes ( ?is ,act aft] !
 date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 if ^?      

m9imum spe$s are high] ?an ! m9imum     
spe$s requir$ "u subclause 7,i74  7b7   
,purpose2 s5se ( ,congress  7#a7        
,purpose ,! purposes ( ?is section are--
 7,a7 to enc\rage ! expansion & ext5sion
 ( middle mile infra/ructure to r$uce ! 
co/ ( connect+ uns]v$ & und]s]v$ areas  
to ! backbone ( ! int]net 7commonly     
ref]r$ to z ! la/ mile72 &  7,b7 to     
promote broadb& connection resili5cy    
?r\gh ! creation ( alt]native network   
connection pa?s t c be design$ to prev5t
 s+le po9ts ( failure on a broadb&      
network4  7#b7 ,s5se ( ,congress ,x is !
 s5se ( ,congress t-- 7,a7 9 aw>d+      
middle mile grants1 ! ,assi/ant         
,secret>y %\ld give priority to-- 7i7   
projects t lev]age exi/+ rights-(-way1  
assets1 & infra/ructure to m9imize      
f9ancial1 regulatory1 & p]mitt+         
*all5ges2  7ii7 projects 9 :i* !        
eligible entity designs ! r\te ( !      
middle mile infra/ructure to enable !   
connection ( uns]v$ an*or in/itutions1  
includ+ ,tribal an*or in/itutions2 &    

7iii7 projects t-- 7,i7 improve !       
r$undancy & resili5cy ( exi/+ middle    
mile infra/ructure1 includ+ ^? projects 
t facilitate int]connection ) exi/+     
infra/ructure1 includ+ add_/drop        
capabilities at exi/+ amplification     
sites & ! ability to add splice cases ) 
adequate fib] slack to build lat]als t  
support future c>ri]-neutral            
int]connection facilities & connections 
to an*or in/itutions2 &  7,,ii7 r$uce   
regulatory & p]mitt+ b>ri]s to promote !
 con/ruction ( new middle mile          
infra/ructure2 &  7,b7 a regulat$       
utility %\ld use funds receiv$ f a      
middle mile grant z a supplem5t to !    
core utility capital inve/m5t plan ( !  
regulat$ utility to-- 7i7 facilitate    
increas$ broadb& resili5cy or r$undancy 
( exi/+ middle mile infra/ructure2 or   
7ii7 provide connectivity to uns]v$     
areas & und]s]v$ areas )9 ! s]vice      
t]ritory ( ! utility & ne>by            
communities4  7c7 ,middle mile grants ,!
 ,assi/ant ,secret>y %all e/abli% a     

program "u :i* ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y    
makes grants on a te*nology-neutral1    
competitive basis to eligible entities =
 ! con/ruction1 improvem5t1 or          
acquisition ( middle mile infra/ructure4
  7d7 ,applications = grants  7#a7 ,9   
g5]al ,! ,assi/ant ,secret>y %all       
e/abli% an application process = middle 
mile grants 9 accordance ) ?is          
subsection4  7#b7 ,evaluation (         
applications ,9 e/abli%+ an application 
process = middle mile grants "u p>agraph
 7#a71 ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y %all give  
priority to an application f an eligible
 entity t satisfies #b or m ( ! foll[+  
conditions3 7,a7 ,! eligible entity     
adopts fiscally su/a9able middle mile   
/rategies4  7,b7 ,! eligible entity     
commits to (f]+ non-discrim9atory       
int]connect to t]re/rial & wireless la/ 
mile broadb& provid]s & any o!r p>ty    
mak+ a bona fide reque/4  7,c7 ,!       
eligible entity id5tifies specific      
t]re/rial & wireless la/ mile broadb&   
provid]s t h-- 7i7 express$ writt5      

int]e/ 9 int]connect+ ) middle mile     
infra/ructure plann$ to be deploy$ by ! 
eligible entity2 &  7ii7 demon/rat$     
su/a9able bus9ess plans or adequate     
fund+ s\rces ) respect to ! int]connect 
describ$ 9 clause 7i74  7,d7 ,! eligible
 entity has id5tifi$ supplem5tal        
inve/m5ts or 9-k9d support 7su* z waiv$ 
fran*ise or p]mitt+ fees7 t w accel]ate 
! completion ( ! plann$ project4  7,e7  
,! eligible entity has demon/rat$ t !   
middle mile infra/ructure w b5efit      
national security int]e/s ( ! ,unit$    
,/ates & ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se4  7#c7   
,grant application compet5ce ,!         
,assi/ant ,secret>y %all include 9 !    
application process e/abli%$ "u p>agraph
 7#a7 a requirem5t t an eligible entity 
provide evid5ce t ! eligible entity is  
capable ( c>ry+ out a propos$ project 9 
a compet5t mann]1 includ+ by demon/rat+ 
t ! eligible entity has ! f9ancial1     
te*nical1 & op]ational capability to    
c>ry out ! propos$ project & op]ate !   
result+ middle mile broadb& network4    

7e7 ,eligibility  7#a7 ,prioritization  
,to be eligible to obta9 a middle mile  
grant1 an eligible entity %all agree1 9 
! application submitt$ ?r\gh ! process  
e/abli%$ "u subsection 7d71 to          
prioritize-- 7,a7 connect+ middle mile  
infra/ructure to la/ mile networks t    
provide or plan to provide broadb&      
s]vice to h\seholds 9 uns]v$ areas2     
7,b7 connect+ non-contigu\s tru/ l&s2 or
  7,c7 ! (f]+ ( :olesale broadb& s]vice 
at reasonable rates on a c>ri]-neutral  
basis4  7#b7 ,build\t timel9e ,subject  
to p>agraph 7#e71 to be eligible to     
obta9 a middle mile grant1 an eligible  
entity %all agree1 9 ! application      
submitt$ ?r\gh ! process e/abli%$ "u    
subsection 7d71 to complete build\t ( ! 
middle mile infra/ructure describ$ 9 !  
application by n lat] ?an #e ye>s aft] !
 date on :i* am\nts f ! grant are made  
available to ! eligible entity4  7#c7   
,project eligibility requirem5ts  7,a7  
,capability to support retail broadb&   
s]vice ,a project %all be eligible = a  

middle mile grant if1 at ! "t ( !       
application1 ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y      
det]m9es t ! propos$ middle mile broadb&
 network-- 7i7 w be capable ( support+  
retail broadb& s]vice t meets spe$1     
lat5cy1 reliability1 consi/5cy 9 quality
 ( s]vice1 & relat$ crit]ia1 z !        
,assi/ant ,secret>y %all det]m9e2 &     
7ii7 w be able to easily scale spe$s ov]
 "t to-- 7,i7 meet ! evolv+ connectivity
 ne$s ( h\seholds1 bus9esses1 & an*or   
in/itutions2 &  7,,ii7 support !        
deploym5t ( #e;,g1 successor wireless   
te*nologies1 & o!r advanc$ s]vices4     
7,b7 ,mapp+ data  7i7 ,use ( mo/ rec5t  
data ,9 mapp+ out gaps 9 broadb&        
cov]age1 an eligible entity t uses a    
middle mile grant to build out t]re/rial
 or fix$ wireless middle mile           
infra/ructure %all use ! mo/ rec5t      
broadb& mapp+ data available f "o ( !   
foll[+ s\rces3 7,i7 ,! ,,fcc fix$       
broadb& map4  7,,ii7 ,! ,/ate 9 :i* !   
area t w be s]v$ by ! middle mile       
infra/ructure is locat$1 or ! ,tribal   

gov]nm5t ) jurisdiction ov] ! area t w  
be s]v$ by ! middle mile infra/ructure  
7if applicable74  7,,iii7 ,spe$ & usage 
surveys ( exi/+ broadb& s]vice t-- 7aa7 
demon/rate t m ?an #be p]c5t ( !        
respond5ts display a broadb& s]vice spe$
 t is sl[] ?an ! spe$s requir$ = an area
 to qualify z uns]v$2 &  7bb7 are       
conduct$ by-- 7,,aa7 ! eligible entity2 
7,,bb7 ! ,/ate 9 :i* ! area t w be s]v$ 
by ! middle mile infra/ructure is       
locat$2 or 7,,cc7 ! ,tribal gov]nm5t )  
jurisdiction ov] ! area t w be s]v$ by !
 middle mile infra/ructure 7if          
applicable74  7ii7 ,%>+ facility        
locations  7,i7 ,def9ition ,9 ?is       
clause1 ! t]m cov]$ recipi5t1 ) respect 
to an eligible entity1 means-- 7aa7 !   
,assi/ant ,secret>y2  7bb7 !            
,commission2  7cc7 ! ,tribal gov]nm5t ) 
jurisdiction ov] ! area t w be s]v$ by !
 middle mile infra/ructure 7if          
applicable72 &  7dd7 ! ,/ate broadb&    
(fice = ! ,/ate 9 :i* ! area t w be s]v$
 by ! middle mile infra/ructure is      

locat$4  7,,ii7 ,provision ( in=mation  
,subject to subclauses 7,,iii7 & 7,,iv71
 an eligible entity t con/ructs1        
improves1 or acquires middle mile       
infra/ructure us+ a middle mile grant   
%all %>e ) ea* cov]$ recipi5t ! location
 ( all ! middle mile broadb&            
infra/ructure4  7,,iii7 ,=mat ,an       
eligible entity %all provide ! in=mation
 requir$ "u subclause 7,,ii7 to ea*     
cov]$ recipi5t 9 a uni=m =mat det]m9$ by
 ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y4  7,,iv7         
,protection ( in=mation  7aa7 ,9 g5]al  
,! in=mation provid$ by an eligible     
entity "u subclause 7,,ii7 may only be  
us$ = purposes ( c>ry+ out ! grant      
program "u subsection 7c7 & any report+ 
relat$ !reto4  7bb7 ,legal def5ses      
7,,aa7 ,9 g5]al ,a cov]$ recipi5t may n 
receive in=mation "u subclause 7,,ii7   
unless ! cov]$ recipi5t agrees 9 writ+  
to ass]t all available legal def5ses to 
! disclosure ( ! in=mation if a p]son or
 entity seeks disclosure f ! cov]$      
recipi5t "u any ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 or local 

public disclosure law4 7,,bb7 ,rule (   
con/ruction ,no?+ 9 subitem 7,,aa7 is   
int5d$ to be or %all be con/ru$ z a     
waiv] ( ,tribal sov]eign immunity4  7,c7
 ,connection to an*or in/itutions ,to ! 
ext5t feasible1 an eligible entity t    
receives a middle mile grant to build   
middle mile infra/ructure us+ fib] optic
 te*nology %all-- 7i7 ensure t ! propos$
 middle mile broadb& network w be       
capable ( provid+ broadb& to an an*or   
in/itution at a spe$ ( n less ?an-- 7,i7
 #a gigabit p] second = d[nloads2 &     
7,,ii7 #a gigabit p] second = uploads to
 an an*or in/itution2 &  7ii7 include   
direct int]connect facilities t w       
facilitate ! provision ( broadb& s]vice 
to an*or in/itutions locat$ )9 #a1jjj   
feet ( ! middle mile infra/ructure4     
7,d7 ,int]connection & nondiscrim9ation 
7i7 ,9 g5]al ,an eligible entity t      
receives a middle mile grant to build a 
middle mile project us+ fib] optic      
te*nology %all (f] int]connection 9     
p]petuity1 :]e te*nically feasible )\t  

exce$+ curr5t or reasonably anticipat$  
capacity limitations1 on reasonable     
rates & t]ms to be negotiat$ ) reque/+  
p>ties4  7ii7 ,nature ( int]connection  
,! int]connection requir$ to be (f]$ "u 
clause 7i7 includes bo? ! ability to    
connect to ! public int]net & physical  
int]connection = ! ex*ange ( traffic4   
7iii7 ,inclusion 9 application ,an      
applicant = a middle mile grant %all    
disclose ! applicant's propos$          
int]connection1 nondiscrim9ation1 &     
network managem5t practices 9 !         
application submitt$ ?r\gh ! process    
e/abli%$ "u subsection 7d74  7#d7       
,acc\ntability ,! ,assi/ant ,secret>y   
%all-- 7,a7 e/abli% suffici5t           
transp>5cy1 acc\ntability1 report+1 &   
ov]sight measures = ! grant program     
e/abli%$ "u subsection 7c7 to det] wa/e1
 fraud1 & abuse ( program funds2 &  7,b7
 e/abli%-- 7i7 build\t requirem5ts = ea*
 eligible entity t receives a middle    
mile grant1 :i* %all require !          
completion ( a c]ta9 p]c5tage ( project 

miles by a c]ta9 date2 &  7ii7 p5alties1
 :i* may include rescission ( funds1 =  
grantees t d n meet requirem5ts describ$
 9 clause 7i7 or ! deadl9e "u p>agraph  
7#b74  7#e7 ,ext5sions  7,a7 ,9 g5]al   
,at ! reque/ ( an eligible entity1 !    
,assi/ant ,secret>y may ext5d ! build\t 
deadl9e "u p>agraph 7#b7 by n m ?an #a  
ye> if ! eligible entity c]tifies t--   
7i7 ! eligible entity has a plan = use (
 ! middle mile grant2  7ii7 ! project to
 build out middle mile infra/ructure is 
und]way2 or  7iii7 ext5uat+ circum/ances
 require an ext5sion ( "t to all[       
completion ( ! project to build out     
middle mile infra/ructure4  7,b7 ,effect
 on int]im build\t requirem5ts ,if !    
,assi/ant ,secret>y grants an ext5sion  
"u subp>agraph 7,a71 ! ,assi/ant        
,secret>y %all modify any build\t       
requirem5ts e/abli%$ "u p>agraph        
7#d77;,b77i7 z necess>y4  7f7 ,f$]al %>e
 ,! am\nt ( a middle mile grant aw>d$ to
 an eligible entity may n exce$ #gj     
p]c5t ( ! total project co/4  7g7       

,special rules = ,tribal gov]nm5ts  7#a7
 ,waiv]s2 alt]native requirem5ts ,!     
,assi/ant ,secret>y1 9 consultation )   
,tribal gov]nm5ts & ,native entities1   
may waive1 or specify alt]native        
requirem5ts =1 any provision (          
subsections 7c7 ?r\gh 7f7 if ! ,assi/ant
 ,secret>y f9ds t ! waiv] or alt]native 
requirem5t is necess>y-- 7,a7 = !       
effective deliv]y & adm9i/ration (      
middle mile grants to ,tribal gov]nm5ts2
 or  7,b7 ! con/ruction1 improvem5t1 or 
acquisition ( middle mile infra/ructure 
on tru/ l&4  7#b7 ,tribally uns]v$      
areas2 ,tribally und]s]v$ areas ,!      
,assi/ant ,secret>y1 9 consultation )   
,tribal gov]nm5ts & ,native entities1   
%all develop a process = designat+      
,tribally uns]v$ areas & ,tribally      
und]s]v$ areas = purposes ( ?is section4
  7h7 ,ma9t5ance ( /&>ds ,section #fjb (
 ! ,public ,works & ,economic           
,developm5t ,act ( #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 
#cbab7 %all apply to any entity t       
receives assi/ance1 :e!r directly or    

indirectly1 "u any program-- 7#a7 t     
p]ta9s to deploy+ broadb& s]vice2 &     
7#b7 = :i* ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y has    
adm9i/rative responsibility z provid$ by
 law or by delegation ( au?ority        
pursuant to law4  7i7 ,au?orization (   
appropriations ,!re is au?oriz$ to be   
appropriat$ to c>ry out ?is section     
#b1jjj1jjj1jjj = fiscal ye>s #bjbb ?r\gh
 #bjbf4