,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #cjhd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,october #cj1 #bjbe,mr4 ,marshall 7for himself and ,mr4 ,welch7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,rural ,electrification ,act of #aicf to establish the ,re,connect program under that ,act1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,re,connecting ,rural ,america ,act of #bjbe4 #b4 ,access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas 7a7 ,in general ,section #fja of the ,rural ,electrification ,act of #aicf 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #iej;bb7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking subsections 7a7 through 7f7 and inserting the following3 7a7 ,purpose ,the purpose of this section is to provide assistance in the form of grants1 loans1 and combinations of grants and loans for the costs of the construction1 improvement1 and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in rural areas4 7b7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,broadband service ,the term broadband service means any technology identified by the ,secretary as having the capacity to transmit data to enable a subscriber to the service to originate and receive high-quality voice1 data1 graphics1 and video4 7#b7 ,rural area 7,a7 ,in general ,the term rural area means any area other than-- 7i7 an area described in clause 7i7 or 7ii7 of section #cdc7;a77#ac77;,a7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aiia7;a77#ac77;,a772 and 7ii7 a city1 town1 or incorporated area that has a population of greater than #bj1jjj inhabitants4 7,b7 ,urban area growth ,the ,secretary may1 by regulation only1 consider an area described in section #cdc7;a77#ac77;,f77i77,i7 of that ,act to not be a rural area for purposes of this section4 7,c7 ,exclusion of certain populations ,the term rural area does not include any population described in subparagraph 7,h7 or 7,i7 of section #cdc7;a77#ac7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aiia7;a77#ac774 7c7 ,grants1 loans1 and combinations 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall make grants1 loans1 and combinations of grants and loans to eligible entities described in subsection 7d7 to provide funds for the construction1 improvement1 or acquisition of facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband service in rural areas4 7#b7 ,project eligibility ,to be eligible for a grant1 loan1 or grant and loan combination under paragraph 7#a71 in addition to the requirements of subsection 7d71 the project that is the subject of the grant1 loan1 or grant and loan combination shall-- 7,a7 provide broadband service of at least-- 7i7 a #ajj-,mbps downstream transmission capacity2 and 7ii7 a #ajj-,mbps upstream transmission capacity2 and 7,b7 subject to paragraph 7#d71 be carried out in a proposed service territory in which at least #ge percent of the households lack access to broadband service of at least-- 7i7 a #ajj-,mbps downstream transmission capacity2 and 7ii7 a #bj-,mbps upstream transmission capacity4 7#c7 ,priority ,in making grants1 loans1 and grant and loan combinations under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary-- 7,a7 shall give priority to applications for projects to provide broadband service in a proposed service territory in which at least #ij percent of households lack access to broadband service of at least-- 7i7 a #ajj-,mbps downstream transmission capacity2 and 7ii7 a #bj-,mbps upstream transmission capacity2 and 7,b7 may give priority to applications for projects to provide broadband service-- 7i7 in proposed service territories-- 7,i7 with a population of less than #aj1jjj permanent residents2 7,,ii7 that are experiencing outmigration and have adopted a strategic community investment plan under section #cgi;,h7d7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjhv7d77 that includes considerations for improving and expanding broadband service2 7,,iii7 with a high percentage of low-income families or persons 7as defined in section #eja7;b7 of the ,housing ,act of #aidi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adga7;b7772 or 7,,iv7 that are isolated from other significant population centers2 7ii7 that would provide rapid and expanded deployment of fixed and mobile broadband service on cropland and ranchland within the service territory for use in various applications of precision agriculture2 or 7iii7 submitted by an eligible entity that has provided broadband service or other utility service for not less than #e years in rural areas in the ,state in which the project would be carried out4 7#d7 ,additional requirements for grant-only awards ,to be eligible for assistance under paragraph 7#a7 in the form of a grant only1 in addition to the requirements of subsection 7d7-- 7,a7 an entity shall be-- 7i7 a ,tribal organization 7as defined in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd772 7ii7 a colonia2 7iii7 a persistent poverty county1 as determined by the ,secretary2 or 7iv7 a socially vulnerable community1 as determined by the ,secretary2 or 7,b7 the project that is the subject of the grant shall be carried out in a proposed service territory in which at least #ij percent of households lack access to broadband service of at least-- 7i7 a #ajj-,mbps downstream transmission capacity2 and 7ii7 a #bj-,mbps upstream transmission capacity4 7d7 ,eligibility 7#a7 ,eligible entities 7,a7 ,in general ,to be eligible to obtain a grant1 loan1 or grant and loan combination under subsection 7c71 an entity shall-- 7i7 submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require2 7ii7 agree to complete buildout of the broadband infrastructure described in the application by not later than #e years after the initial date on which assistance under subsection 7c7 is made available2 and 7iii7 participate or agree to participate in-- 7,i7 the ,lifeline program under subpart ,e of part #ed of title #dg1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or any successor regulation72 or 7,,ii7 any successor ,federal internet affordability assistance program4 7,b7 ,inclusions ,an entity eligible to obtain a grant1 loan1 or grant and loan combination under subsection 7c7 may include-- 7i7 a ,state or local government1 including any agency1 subdivision1 instrumentality1 or political subdivision of a ,state or local government2 7ii7 a territory or possession of the ,united ,states2 7iii7 an ,indian ,tribe 7as defined in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd772 7iv7 a cooperative or mutual organization2 7v7 an organization of #b or more incorporated areas that have established an intermunicipal legal agreement for the purpose of delivering communication services to residents2 7vi7 a corporation2 and 7vii7 a limited liability company or limited liability partnership4 7,c7 ,ineligible entities ,an individual or legal general partnership that is formed with individuals shall not be eligible to obtain a grant1 loan1 or grant and loan combination under subsection 7c74 7,d7 ,limitation 7i7 ,in general ,an eligible entity described in this paragraph that provides telecommunications or broadband service to at least #bj percent of the households in the ,united ,states may not receive an amount of funds under this section for a fiscal year in excess of #ae percent of the funds authorized and appropriated under subsection 7i7 for the fiscal year4 7ii7 ,states and ,state agencies and instrumentalities ,a ,state or an agency or instrumentality of a ,state may not1 in total1 receive an amount of funds under this section for a fiscal year in excess of #ae percent of the funds authorized and appropriated under subsection 7i7 for the fiscal year4 7,e7 ,previous awards ,an entity to which a grant1 loan1 or grant and loan combination is made under subsection 7c7 shall not use the grant1 loan1 or grant and loan combination to deploy broadband service in a service area in which broadband service is deployed by any other entity that has received a broadband grant or loan from the ,rural ,utilities ,service1 the ,national ,telecommunications and ,information ,administration1 the ,department of the ,treasury1 the ,federal ,communications ,commission1 or a ,state broadband grant program1 unless the service provided by the other entity does not provide to at least #ge percent of the households in the service area access to broadband service of at least-- 7i7 a #ajj-,mbps downstream transmission capacity2 and 7ii7 a #bj-,mbps upstream transmission capacity4 7#b7 ,equity requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may require an entity to provide a cost share in an amount not to exceed #be percent of the amount of the grant 7including the grant in a grant and loan combination7 under subsection 7c7 requested in the application of the entity4 7,b7 ,waiver ,the ,secretary may waive the cost share requirement under subparagraph 7,a7 for entities or projects described in subsection 7c77#d74 7#c7 ,technical assistance and training 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may provide to eligible entities described in paragraph 7#a7 that are applying for assistance under this section for a project described in subsection 7c77#c77;,a7 technical assistance and training-- 7i7 to prepare reports and surveys necessary to request grants1 loans1 and grant and loan combinations under this section for broadband deployment2 7ii7 to improve management1 including financial management1 relating to the proposed broadband deployment2 7iii7 to prepare applications for grants1 loans1 and grant and loan combinations under this section2 or 7iv7 to assist with other areas of need identified by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,funding ,not less than #c percent and not more than #e percent of amounts appropriated under subsection 7i7 to carry out this section for a fiscal year shall be used for technical assistance and training under this paragraph4 7e7 ,broadband service 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 for purposes of this section1 the minimum acceptable level of broadband service for a rural area shall be at least-- 7,a7 a #ajj-,mbps downstream transmission capacity2 and 7,b7 a #ajj-,mbps upstream transmission capacity4 7#b7 ,adjustments ,at least once every #b years1 the ,secretary shall review1 and may adjust through notice published in the ,federal ,register1 the minimum acceptable level of broadband service established under paragraph 7#a7 and broadband buildout requirements under paragraph 7#c7 to ensure that high-quality1 cost-effective broadband service is provided to rural areas over time4 7#c7 ,broadband buildout requirements 7,a7 ,definition of broadband buildout requirement ,in this paragraph1 the term broadband buildout requirement means the level of internet service an applicant receiving assistance under this section must agree1 at the time the application is finalized1 to provide for the duration of any project-related agreement between the applicant and the ,department4 7,b7 ,establishment of broadband buildout requirements ,the ,secretary shall establish broadband buildout requirements that-- 7i7 utilize the same metrics used to define the minimum acceptable level of broadband service under paragraph 7#a72 and 7ii7 reasonably ensure-- 7,i7 the repayment of all loans2 and 7,,ii7 the financed network is technically capable of providing broadband service for the lifetime of any project-related agreement4 7,c7 ,substitute service standards for unique service territories 7i7 ,in general ,if an applicant shows that it would be cost prohibitive to meet the broadband buildout requirements established under this paragraph for the entirety of a proposed service territory due to the unique characteristics of the proposed service territory1 the ,secretary and the applicant may agree to utilize substitute standards for any unserved portion of the project4 7ii7 ,requirement ,any substitute service standards described in clause 7i7 should continue to consider the best technology available to meet the needs of the residents in the unserved area4 2 7#b7 by redesignating subsections 7g71 7h71 and 7i7 as subsections 7f71 7g71 and 7h71 respectively2 7#c7 in subsection 7f7 7as so redesignated7-- 7,a7 in the subsection heading1 by striking ,loans and ,loan ,guarantees4-- and inserting ,loans4--2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking or loan guarantee2 and 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7,i7 by striking clause 7ii72 7,,ii7 by striking ,secretary-- in the matter preceding clause 7i7 and all that follows through in the case in the matter preceding subclause 7,i7 of clause 7i7 and inserting ,secretary in the case2 and 7,,iii7 by redesignating subclauses 7,i7 and 7,,ii7 as clauses 7i7 and 7ii71 respectively1 and indenting appropriately2 7#d7 in subsection 7g7 7as so redesignated71 by striking or loan guarantee each place it appears2 7#e7 in subsection 7h7 7as so redesignated71 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking #aigd7 and inserting #aigd 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #ffa;a772 and 7#f7 by striking subsections 7j7 and 7k7 and inserting the following3 7i7 ,funding 7#a7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out subsections 7a7 through 7h7 #fej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbf through #bjcj1 to remain available until expended4 7#b7 ,administration ,not more than #e percent of the amounts made available under paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#c7 shall be available to the ,secretary for the administration of subsections 7a7 through 7h74 7#c7 ,direct funding 7,a7 ,rescission ,there is rescinded the unobligated balance of amounts made available to carry out section #ggi of division ,a of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjah 7,public ,law #aae-ada2 #acb ,stat4 #cii74 7,b7 ,direct funding ,on the day after the execution of the rescission in subparagraph 7,a71 there is appropriated to the ,secretary1 out of amounts in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 an amount equal to the amount rescinded in subparagraph 7,a71 to carry out subsections 7a7 through 7h71 to remain available until expended4 7j7 ,additional rural broadband program loans 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may provide direct loans in accordance with the requirements under this section1 as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the ,re,connecting ,rural ,america ,act of #bjbe4 7#b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this subsection #cej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbf through #bjcj1 to remain available until expended4 7k7 ,termination of authority ,no grant1 loan1 or grant and loan combination may be made under this section after ,september #cj1 #bjcj4 4 7b7 ,sunset ,beginning on the date that is #abj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 section #ggi of division ,a of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjah 7,public ,law #aae-ada2 #acb ,stat4 #cii71 shall have no force or effect4