{ "id": "RL33816", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "RL33816", "active": true, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, CRSReports.Congress.gov, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 595561, "date": "2019-03-22", "retrieved": "2019-12-20T19:43:15.566957", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state-of-the-art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nAccording to the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s Communications Marketplace Report, as of 2017, 24% of Americans in rural areas lacked coverage from fixed terrestrial 25 Mbps/3 Mbps broadband, as compared to only 1.5% of Americans in urban areas. The comparatively lower population density of rural areas is likely a major reason why broadband is less deployed than in more highly populated suburban and urban areas. Particularly for wireline broadband technologies\u2014such as cable modem and fiber\u2014the greater the geographical distances among customers, the larger the cost to serve those customers.\nThe Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) houses three ongoing assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, the Community Connect Grant Program, and the ReConnect Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) funds broadband deployment in rural areas. Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grants\u2014while not principally supporting connectivity\u2014fund equipment and software that operate via telecommunications to rural end-users of telemedicine and distance learning applications.\nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 116-6) provided $5.83 million to subsidize a rural broadband loan level of $29.851 million, $30 million to Community Connect broadband grants, $47 million for DLT grants, and $1.725 million in loan subsidies for a total loan level of $690 million for the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. P.L. 116-6 also provided $550 million for the ReConnect Program, which is in addition to the $600 million provided in the 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act.\nThe Administration\u2019s FY2020 budget proposal requested zero funding for Rural Broadband Access Loans, $200 million for the ReConnect Program, $1.933 million in budget authority to subsidize a loan level of $690 million for Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees, $30 million for Community Connect Grants, and $43.6 million for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants.\nOn December 20, 2018, the President signed the 2018 farm bill (P.L. 115-334, Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018). Regarding the RUS broadband programs, the act includes provisions authorizing a grant component in combination with the broadband loan program; increasing the annual authorization level from $25 million to $350 million; raising the proposed service area eligibility threshold of unserved households from 15% to 50% for broadband loans; authorizing grants, loans, and loan guarantees for middle mile infrastructure; directing improved federal agency broadband program coordination; and providing eligible applicants with technical assistance and training to prepare applications. In the 116th Congress, appropriations will determine the extent to which these programs will be funded.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "302c7594a08b6f15afb2ff7043d5c7cd6a2ca93c", "filename": "files/20190322_RL33816_302c7594a08b6f15afb2ff7043d5c7cd6a2ca93c.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "4b657ca46d70a1e9785544b708b3b485399ad1be", "filename": "files/20190322_RL33816_4b657ca46d70a1e9785544b708b3b485399ad1be.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4769, "name": "Agricultural Technology & Research" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4871, "name": "Telecommunications & Internet Policy" } ] }, { "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "retrieved": "2020-09-05T09:15:13.074677", "id": "RL33816_128_2019-03-01", "formats": [ { "filename": "files/2019-03-01_RL33816_e495282fe91920e3013af952283d07bc06ec413d.pdf", "format": "PDF", "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL33816/128", "sha1": "e495282fe91920e3013af952283d07bc06ec413d" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/2019-03-01_RL33816_e495282fe91920e3013af952283d07bc06ec413d.html" } ], "date": "2019-03-01", "summary": null, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov", "typeId": "RL", "active": true, "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=RL33816", "type": "CRS Report" }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 589206, "date": "2018-12-26", "retrieved": "2019-01-03T14:12:11.569404", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state-of-the-art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nAccording to the FCC\u2019s First Communications Market Report, as of 2017, 24% of Americans in rural areas lacked coverage from fixed terrestrial 25 Mbps/3 Mbps broadband, as compared to only 1.5% of Americans in urban areas. The comparatively lower population density of rural areas is likely a major reason why broadband is less deployed than in more highly populated suburban and urban areas. Particularly for wireline broadband technologies\u2014such as cable modem and fiber\u2014the greater the geographical distances among customers, the larger the cost to serve those customers.\nThe Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) houses two ongoing assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) funds broadband deployment in rural areas. Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grants\u2014while not principally supporting connectivity\u2014fund equipment and software that operate via telecommunications to rural end-users of telemedicine and distance learning applications.\nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) provided $5 million to subsidize a broadband loan level of $29.851 million, $30 million to Community Connect broadband grants, $49 million for DLT grants, and $0.863 million in loan subsidies for a total loan level of $690 million for the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. P.L. 115-141 also appropriated $600 million to RUS to \u201cconduct a new broadband loan and grant pilot program.\u201d On December 14, 2018, RUS released the Funding Opportunity Announcement and solicitation of applications for the new pilot broadband loan and grant program, which is called the ReConnect Program.\nOn December 20, 2018, the President signed the 2018 farm bill (P.L. 115-334, Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018). Regarding the RUS broadband programs, the act includes provisions authorizing a grant component in combination with the broadband loan program; increasing the annual authorization level from $25 million to $350 million; raising the proposed service area eligibility threshold of unserved households from 15% to 50% for broadband loans; authorizing grants, loans, and loan guarantees for middle mile infrastructure; directing improved federal agency broadband program coordination; and providing eligible applicants with technical assistance and training to prepare applications. In the 116th Congress, appropriations will determine the extent to which these programs will be funded.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "627698d5fe2b1e151c09ef4b36fff1cd9a4e726b", "filename": "files/20181226_RL33816_627698d5fe2b1e151c09ef4b36fff1cd9a4e726b.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "f07a29efdf9667473e56a1cf3c42ad8d331eb71c", "filename": "files/20181226_RL33816_f07a29efdf9667473e56a1cf3c42ad8d331eb71c.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4769, "name": "Agricultural Technology & Research" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4871, "name": "Telecommunications & Internet Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 586396, "date": "2018-10-16", "retrieved": "2018-10-19T13:15:06.086502", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state-of-the-art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nAccording to the FCC\u2019s 2018 Broadband Deployment Report, 30.7% of Americans in rural areas and 35.4% of Americans in tribal lands lack access to fixed terrestrial 25 Mbps/3 Mbps broadband, as compared to 2.1% of Americans in urban areas. The comparatively lower population density of rural areas is likely a major reason why broadband is less deployed than in more highly populated suburban and urban areas. Particularly for wireline broadband technologies\u2014such as cable modem and fiber\u2014the greater the geographical distances among customers, the larger the cost to serve those customers.\nThe Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) houses two ongoing assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) funds broadband deployment in rural areas. Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grants\u2014while not principally supporting connectivity\u2014fund equipment and software that operate via telecommunications to rural end-users of telemedicine and distance learning applications.\nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) provided $5 million to subsidize a broadband loan level of $29.851 million, $30 million to Community Connect broadband grants, $49 million for DLT grants, and $0.863 million in loan subsidies for a total loan level of $690 million for the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. P.L. 115-141 also appropriated $600 million to RUS to \u201cconduct a new broadband loan and grant pilot program.\u201d \nWith the 2014 farm bill expiring on September 30, 2018, the 115th Congress is considering reauthorization of the RUS broadband loan program and other broadband-related provisions in the 2018 farm bill. H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, which was passed by the House on June 21, 2018, seeks to address rural broadband programs at USDA through Title VI, Subtitle B, \u201cConnecting Rural Americans to High Speed Broadband.\u201d On June 28, the Senate passed its version of H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which would reauthorize and modify the broadband loan program, and codify the existing Community Connect Grant Program.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "76629ba2fb086f856e1d10a148ff0cf4aca53cbd", "filename": "files/20181016_RL33816_76629ba2fb086f856e1d10a148ff0cf4aca53cbd.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "94a52f3ad3986fa5a2bf88c151208fd70ab05e47", "filename": "files/20181016_RL33816_94a52f3ad3986fa5a2bf88c151208fd70ab05e47.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4769, "name": "Agricultural Technology & Research" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4871, "name": "Telecommunications & Internet Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 584166, "date": "2018-07-06", "retrieved": "2018-08-29T15:17:23.137457", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state-of-the-art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nAccording to the FCC\u2019s 2018 Broadband Deployment Report, 30.7% of Americans in rural areas and 35.4% of Americans in tribal lands lack access to fixed terrestrial 25 Mbps/3 Mbps broadband, as compared to 2.1% of Americans in urban areas. The comparatively lower population density of rural areas is likely a major reason why broadband is less deployed than in more highly populated suburban and urban areas. Particularly for wireline broadband technologies\u2014such as cable modem and fiber\u2014the greater the geographical distances among customers, the larger the cost to serve those customers.\nThe Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) houses two ongoing assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) funds broadband deployment in rural areas. Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grants\u2014while not principally supporting connectivity\u2014fund equipment and software that operate via telecommunications to rural end-users of telemedicine and distance learning applications.\nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) provided $5 million to subsidize a broadband loan level of $29.851 million, $30 million to Community Connect broadband grants, $49 million for DLT grants, and $0.863 million in loan subsidies for a total loan level of $690 million for the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. P.L. 115-141 also appropriated $600 million to RUS to \u201cconduct a new broadband loan and grant pilot program.\u201d \nWith the 2014 farm bill expiring on September 30, 2018, the 115th Congress is considering reauthorization of the RUS broadband loan program and other broadband-related provisions in the 2018 farm bill. H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, which was passed by the House on June 21, 2018, seeks to address rural broadband programs at USDA through Title VI, Subtitle B, \u201cConnecting Rural Americans to High Speed Broadband.\u201d On June 28, the Senate passed its version of H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which would reauthorize and modify the broadband loan program, and codify the existing Community Connect Grant Program.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "d50fcc7dd7c6a9d559881640e1c740859f02a993", "filename": "files/20180706_RL33816_d50fcc7dd7c6a9d559881640e1c740859f02a993.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "a8097b7822f1bf0c75bc604f1d41f527091ea4f2", "filename": "files/20180706_RL33816_a8097b7822f1bf0c75bc604f1d41f527091ea4f2.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4769, "name": "Agricultural Technology & Research" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4871, "name": "Telecommunications & Internet Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 582301, "date": "2018-06-21", "retrieved": "2018-06-27T13:27:28.285073", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state-of-the-art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nAccording to the FCC\u2019s 2018 Broadband Deployment Report, 30.7% of Americans in rural areas and 35.4% of Americans in tribal lands lack access to fixed terrestrial 25 Mbps/3 Mbps broadband, as compared to 2.1% of Americans in urban areas. The comparatively lower population density of rural areas is likely a major reason why broadband is less deployed than in more highly populated suburban and urban areas. Particularly for wireline broadband technologies\u2014such as cable modem and fiber\u2014the greater the geographical distances among customers, the larger the cost to serve those customers.\nThe Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) houses two ongoing assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) funds broadband deployment in rural areas. Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grants\u2014while not principally supporting connectivity\u2014fund equipment and software that operate via telecommunications to rural end-users of telemedicine and distance learning applications.\nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) provided $5 million to subsidize a broadband loan level of $29.851 million, $30 million to Community Connect broadband grants, $29 million for DLT grants, and $0.863 million in loan subsidies for a total loan level of $690 million for the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. P.L. 115-141 also appropriated $600 million to RUS to \u201cconduct a new broadband loan and grant pilot program.\u201d \nWith the 2014 farm bill expiring on September 30, 2018, the 115th Congress is considering reauthorization of the RUS broadband loan program and other broadband-related provisions in the 2018 farm bill. H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, which was approved by the House Agriculture Committee on April 18, seeks to address rural broadband programs at USDA through Title VI, Subtitle B, \u201cConnecting Rural Americans to High Speed Broadband.\u201d Section 6205 of the Senate farm bill (S. 3042, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, approved on June 13 by the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry) would reauthorize and modify the broadband loan program, while Section 6206 would codify the existing Community Connect Grant Program.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "2e9a68d08bb7c054abf186bbedc18c0403dbafeb", "filename": "files/20180621_RL33816_2e9a68d08bb7c054abf186bbedc18c0403dbafeb.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "3f2705eedbd4cc3a75dfc02b72e9ca7ae41895fd", "filename": "files/20180621_RL33816_3f2705eedbd4cc3a75dfc02b72e9ca7ae41895fd.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4769, "name": "Agricultural Technology & Research" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4871, "name": "Telecommunications & Internet Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 580510, "date": "2018-04-20", "retrieved": "2018-05-01T14:17:35.183143", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state of the art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nAccording to the FCC\u2019s 2018 Broadband Deployment Report, 30.7% of Americans in rural areas and 35.4% of Americans in tribal lands lack access to fixed terrestrial 25 Mbps/3 Mbps broadband, as compared to 2.1% of Americans in urban areas. The comparatively lower population density of rural areas is likely a major reason why broadband is less deployed than in more highly populated suburban and urban areas. Particularly for wireline broadband technologies\u2014such as cable modem and fiber\u2014the greater the geographical distances among customers, the larger the cost to serve those customers.\nThe Rural Utilities Service (RUS)/Department of Agriculture (USDA) houses two ongoing assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) funds broadband deployment in rural areas. Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grants\u2014while not supporting connectivity\u2014fund equipment and software that operate via telecommunications to rural end-users of telemedicine and distance learning applications.\nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) provided $5 million to subsidize a broadband loan level of $29.851 million, $30 million to Community Connect broadband grants, $29 million for DLT grants, and $0.863 million in loan subsidies for a total loan level of $690 million for the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. P.L. 115-141 also appropriated $600 million to RUS to \u201cconduct a new broadband loan and grant pilot program.\u201d \nWith the 2014 farm bill expiring on September 30, 2018, the 115th Congress is considering reauthorization of the RUS broadband loan program and other broadband-related provisions in the 2018 farm bill. H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, which was introduced on April 12, 2018, and approved by the House Agriculture Committee on April 18, seeks to address rural broadband programs at USDA through Title VI, Subtitle B, \u201cConnecting Rural Americans to High Speed Broadband.\u201d H.R. 2 includes provisions that would authorize $350 million per year for a grant component of combination loan/grant broadband awards, establish forward-looking broadband service standards, and authorize the broadband loan and loan guarantee program at $150 million per year through FY2023.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "25ba93d29e1b8c9695f18e8045fc59ee61e62856", "filename": "files/20180420_RL33816_25ba93d29e1b8c9695f18e8045fc59ee61e62856.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "78cabf80470f9acee1442c472a7e66e3ccff47a8", "filename": "files/20180420_RL33816_78cabf80470f9acee1442c472a7e66e3ccff47a8.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4769, "name": "Agricultural Technology & Research" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4871, "name": "Telecommunications & Internet Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 579753, "date": "2018-03-28", "retrieved": "2018-04-03T13:29:46.768614", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state of the art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nAccording to the FCC\u2019s 2018 Broadband Deployment Report, 30.7% of Americans in rural areas and 35.4% of Americans in tribal lands lack access to fixed terrestrial 25 Mbps/3 Mbps broadband, as compared to 2.1% of Americans in urban areas. The comparatively lower population density of rural areas is likely a major reason why broadband is less deployed than in more highly populated suburban and urban areas. Particularly for wireline broadband technologies\u2014such as cable modem and fiber\u2014the greater the geographical distances among customers, the larger the cost to serve those customers.\nSection 6103 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171) amended the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize a loan and loan guarantee program to provide funds for the costs of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible rural communities. The Rural Utilities Service (RUS)/Department of Agriculture (USDA) houses two ongoing assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) funds broadband deployment in rural areas. Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grants\u2014while not supporting connectivity\u2014fund equipment and software that operate via telecommunications to rural end-users of telemedicine and distance learning applications.\nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) provided $5 million to subsidize a broadband loan level of $29.851 million, $30 million to Community Connect broadband grants, $29 million for DLT grants, and $0.863 million in loan subsidies for a total loan level of $690 million for the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. P.L. 115-141 also appropriated $600 million to RUS to \u201cconduct a new broadband loan and grant pilot program.\u201d \nIn the 113th Congress, the 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014) amended Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) to reauthorize the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program through FY2018. With the 2014 farm bill expiring on September 30, 2018, the 115th Congress is expected to consider reauthorization of the broadband loan program.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "17310c71efd92a4658027d1c7a9149239951e238", "filename": "files/20180328_RL33816_17310c71efd92a4658027d1c7a9149239951e238.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "b62cab8efc9d1fa7126ec7eadf9471d1b9e51e5e", "filename": "files/20180328_RL33816_b62cab8efc9d1fa7126ec7eadf9471d1b9e51e5e.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4769, "name": "Agricultural Technology & Research" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4871, "name": "Telecommunications & Internet Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 579001, "date": "2018-03-08", "retrieved": "2018-03-12T03:35:09.737166", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state of the art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nAccording to the FCC\u2019s 2018 Broadband Deployment Report, 30.7% of Americans in rural areas and 35.4% of Americans in tribal lands lack access to fixed terrestrial 25 Mbps/3 Mbps broadband, as compared to 2.1% of Americans in urban areas. The comparatively lower population density of rural areas is likely a major reason why broadband is less deployed than in more highly populated suburban and urban areas. Particularly for wireline broadband technologies\u2014such as cable modem and fiber\u2014the greater the geographical distances among customers, the larger the cost to serve those customers. Also, the terrain of rural areas can be a hindrance; for example, it is more expensive to deploy broadband technologies in mountainous or heavily forested areas.\nCiting the lagging deployment of broadband in many rural areas, Congress and the Administration acted in 2001 and 2002 to initiate pilot broadband loan and grant programs within the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Subsequently, Section 6103 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171) amended the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize a loan and loan guarantee program to provide funds for the costs of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible rural communities. The RUS/USDA houses two assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) funds broadband deployment in rural areas. Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grants\u2014while not supporting connectivity\u2014fund equipment and software that operate via telecommunications to rural end-users of telemedicine and distance learning applications.\nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31) provided $4.5 million to subsidize a broadband loan level of $27.043 million, $34.5 million to Community Connect broadband grants, $26.6 million for DLT grants, and $3.071 million in loan subsidies for a total loan level of $690 million for the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program.\nIn the 113th Congress, the 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014) amended Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) to reauthorize the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program through FY2018. With the 2014 farm bill expiring on September 30, 2018, the 115th Congress is expected to consider reauthorization of the broadband loan program.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "07e34830732872bedca9f75428367d708dcf59cb", "filename": "files/20180308_RL33816_07e34830732872bedca9f75428367d708dcf59cb.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "5ce8a0e4b5cb8c34df699c533bcb48623917414c", "filename": "files/20180308_RL33816_5ce8a0e4b5cb8c34df699c533bcb48623917414c.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4769, "name": "Agricultural Technology & Research" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4871, "name": "Telecommunications & Internet Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 463144, "date": "2017-08-01", "retrieved": "2017-08-22T13:40:56.694822", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state of the art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nCiting the lagging deployment of broadband in many rural areas, Congress and the Administration acted in 2001 and 2002 to initiate pilot broadband loan and grant programs within the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Subsequently, Section 6103 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171) amended the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize a loan and loan guarantee program to provide funds for the costs of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible rural communities. The RUS/USDA houses two assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) funds broadband deployment in rural areas.\nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31) provided $4.5 million to subsidize a broadband loan level of $27.043 million, $34.5 million to Community Connect broadband grants, $26.6 million for DLT grants, and $3.071 million in loan subsidies for a total loan level of $690 million for the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program.\nIn the 113th Congress, the 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014) was signed by President Obama on February 7, 2014. P.L. 113-79 amended Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) to reauthorize the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program through FY2018. P.L. 113-79 also included provisions to redefine project area eligibility with respect to existing broadband service, increase the program\u2019s transparency and reporting requirements, define a minimum level of broadband service, require a study on the gathering and use of address-level data, and authorize a new Rural Gigabit Network Pilot Program.\nWith the 2014 farm bill expiring on September 30, 2018, the 115th Congress is expected to consider reauthorization of the broadband loan program.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "bd4c9558bf78b8dfe206f03140dc928e825c87ad", "filename": "files/20170801_RL33816_bd4c9558bf78b8dfe206f03140dc928e825c87ad.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "9728ec2bfbc75af58f2cd3f0756b76e26ea24cf2", "filename": "files/20170801_RL33816_9728ec2bfbc75af58f2cd3f0756b76e26ea24cf2.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4769, "name": "Agricultural Technology & Research" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4871, "name": "Telecommunications & Internet Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 462012, "date": "2017-06-09", "retrieved": "2017-06-26T15:56:50.746551", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state of the art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nCiting the lagging deployment of broadband in many rural areas, Congress and the Administration acted in 2001 and 2002 to initiate pilot broadband loan and grant programs within the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Subsequently, Section 6103 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171) amended the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize a loan and loan guarantee program to provide funds for the costs of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible rural communities. The RUS/USDA houses two assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) primarily funds broadband deployment in rural areas.\nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31) provides $4.5 million to subsidize a broadband loan level of $27.043 million, $34.5 million to Community Connect broadband grants, $26.6 million for DLT grants, and $3.071 million in loan subsidies for a total loan level of $690 million for the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program.\nThe Administration\u2019s FY2018 budget proposes $4.5 million to subsidize a broadband loan level of $27.043 million and $0.863 million to subsidize a loan level of $690 million for the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program. The Administration is proposing to transfer Community Connect and DLT grants into a new $162 million \u201cRural Economic Infrastructure Program.\u201d \nIn the 113th Congress, the 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014) was signed by the President on February 7, 2014. P.L. 113-79 amended Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) to reauthorize the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program through FY2018. P.L. 113-79 also included provisions to redefine project area eligibility with respect to existing broadband service, increase the program\u2019s transparency and reporting requirements, define a minimum level of broadband service, require a study on the gathering and use of address-level data, and authorize a new Rural Gigabit Network Pilot Program.\nWith the 2014 farm bill expiring on September 30, 2018, the 115th Congress is expected to consider reauthorization of the broadband loan program.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "ee9bbd9733cdf645c0d228cf8165ba2626d36570", "filename": "files/20170609_RL33816_ee9bbd9733cdf645c0d228cf8165ba2626d36570.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "5b8cb21ae77afb521e1665b8a28b1d989fb673bf", "filename": "files/20170609_RL33816_5b8cb21ae77afb521e1665b8a28b1d989fb673bf.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4769, "name": "Agricultural Technology & Research" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4871, "name": "Telecommunications & Internet Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 459206, "date": "2017-02-27", "retrieved": "2017-03-01T17:36:34.634744", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state of the art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nCiting the lagging deployment of broadband in many rural areas, Congress and the Administration acted in 2001 and 2002 to initiate pilot broadband loan and grant programs within the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Subsequently, Section 6103 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171) amended the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize a loan and loan guarantee program to provide funds for the costs of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible rural communities. The RUS/USDA houses two assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) primarily funds broadband deployment in rural areas.\nIn the 113th Congress, the 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014) was signed by the President on February 7, 2014. P.L. 113-79 amended Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) to reauthorize the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program through FY2018. P.L. 113-79 also included provisions to redefine project area eligibility with respect to existing broadband service, increase the program\u2019s transparency and reporting requirements, define a minimum level of broadband service, require a study on the gathering and use of address-level data, and authorize a new Rural Gigabit Network Pilot Program.\nWith the 2014 farm bill expiring on September 30, 2018, the 115th Congress is expected to consider reauthorization of the broadband loan program.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "d6c7385763137ad8836b1dab424115f886ad3cfb", "filename": "files/20170227_RL33816_d6c7385763137ad8836b1dab424115f886ad3cfb.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "5bb7f609848c90495910aa7bd380816e936bf977", "filename": "files/20170227_RL33816_5bb7f609848c90495910aa7bd380816e936bf977.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4769, "name": "Agricultural Technology & Research" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4871, "name": "Telecommunications & Internet Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 457715, "date": "2016-12-14", "retrieved": "2016-12-22T16:31:41.450627", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state of the art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nCiting the lagging deployment of broadband in many rural areas, Congress and the Administration acted in 2001 and 2002 to initiate pilot broadband loan and grant programs within the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Subsequently, Section 6103 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171 ) amended the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize a loan and loan guarantee program to provide funds for the costs of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible rural communities. The RUS/USDA houses two assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) primarily funds broadband deployment in rural areas.\nIn the 113th Congress, the 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014) was signed by the President on February 7, 2014. P.L. 113-79 amended Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) to reauthorize the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program through FY2018. P.L. 113-79 also included provisions to redefine project area eligibility with respect to existing broadband service, increase the program\u2019s transparency and reporting requirements, define a minimum level of broadband service, require a study on the gathering and use of address-level data, and authorize a new Rural Gigabit Network Pilot Program.\nWith the 2014 farm bill expiring on September 30, 2018, the 115th Congress is expected to consider reauthorization of the broadband loan program. Based on legislation introduced in the 114th Congress (H.R. 4160, H.R. 6336, S. 3408) a possible issue may include whether or not to add a grant component to the existing broadband loan program.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "ce7c1aeaf12486672da1d4dab5c164a561c4b00c", "filename": "files/20161214_RL33816_ce7c1aeaf12486672da1d4dab5c164a561c4b00c.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "fcbc5fbd15da6e667c04ffa76889b710cb86ffb9", "filename": "files/20161214_RL33816_fcbc5fbd15da6e667c04ffa76889b710cb86ffb9.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4769, "name": "Agricultural Technology & Research" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4871, "name": "Telecommunications & Internet Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 453605, "date": "2016-06-16", "retrieved": "2016-11-28T22:03:58.460705", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state of the art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nCiting the lagging deployment of broadband in many rural areas, Congress and the Administration acted in 2001 and 2002 to initiate pilot broadband loan and grant programs within the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Subsequently, Section 6103 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171 ) amended the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize a loan and loan guarantee program to provide funds for the costs of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible rural communities. The RUS/USDA houses two assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) primarily funds broadband deployment in rural areas.\nIn the 113th Congress, the 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014) was signed by the President on February 7, 2014. P.L. 113-79 amended Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) to reauthorize the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program through FY2018. P.L. 113-79 also included provisions to redefine project area eligibility with respect to existing broadband service, increase the program\u2019s transparency and reporting requirements, define a minimum level of broadband service, require a study on the gathering and use of address-level data, and establish a new Rural Gigabit Network Pilot Program.\nMeanwhile, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. 114-113) provided $4.5 million to subsidize a broadband loan level of $20.576 million, and $10.372 million to Community Connect broadband grants. The Administration\u2019s FY2017 budget proposal requested zero funding for the broadband loan program and $39.492 million for the Community Connect broadband grant program. In the FY2017 budget justification, RUS stated that the budget request shifts resources to the broadband grant program and the Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program, and that RUS intends to rewrite the Telecommunications Loan Program rules to expand eligibility.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "5a3752dd0c67f6578b092f187729298b9d92d6d0", "filename": "files/20160616_RL33816_5a3752dd0c67f6578b092f187729298b9d92d6d0.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "85c48588500b398b4ade00980fc4ca38f1aaf136", "filename": "files/20160616_RL33816_85c48588500b398b4ade00980fc4ca38f1aaf136.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4769, "name": "Agricultural Technology & Research" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4871, "name": "Telecommunications & Internet Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 451164, "date": "2016-03-25", "retrieved": "2016-04-06T16:53:15.396473", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "Given the large potential impact broadband access may have on the economic development of rural America, concern has been raised over a \u201cdigital divide\u201d between rural and urban or suburban areas with respect to broadband deployment. While there are many examples of rural communities with state of the art telecommunications facilities, recent surveys and studies have indicated that, in general, rural areas tend to lag behind urban and suburban areas in broadband deployment.\nCiting the lagging deployment of broadband in many rural areas, Congress and the Administration acted in 2001 and 2002 to initiate pilot broadband loan and grant programs within the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Subsequently, Section 6103 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171 ) amended the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize a loan and loan guarantee program to provide funds for the costs of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible rural communities. The RUS/USDA houses two assistance programs exclusively created and dedicated to financing broadband deployment: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (previously the Telephone Loan Program) primarily funds broadband deployment in rural areas.\nIn the 113th Congress, the 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014) was signed by the President on February 7, 2014. P.L. 113-79 amended Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) to reauthorize the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program through FY2018. P.L. 113-79 also included provisions to redefine project area eligibility with respect to existing broadband service, increase the program\u2019s transparency and reporting requirements, define a minimum level of broadband service, require a study on the gathering and use of address-level data, and establish a new Rural Gigabit Network Pilot Program.\nMeanwhile, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. 114-113) provided $4.5 million to subsidize a broadband loan level of $20.576 million, and $10.372 million to Community Connect broadband grants. The Administration\u2019s FY2017 budget proposal requested zero funding for the broadband loan program and $39.492 million for the Community Connect broadband grant program. In the FY2017 budget justification, RUS stated that the budget request shifts resources to the broadband grant program and the Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program, and that RUS intends to rewrite the Telecommunications Loan Program rules to expand eligibility.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33816", "sha1": "4d2ff2f1711b229fa31d94e4c92dfae0e04a842d", "filename": "files/20160325_RL33816_4d2ff2f1711b229fa31d94e4c92dfae0e04a842d.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33816", "sha1": "e47960b218fed688c91567a7ec3a3d8cc0abfe3d", "filename": "files/20160325_RL33816_e47960b218fed688c91567a7ec3a3d8cc0abfe3d.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 2111, "name": "Telecommunications and Media Convergence" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 3199, "name": "Community and Regional Economic Development" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 641, "name": "Farm Bill and Agricultural Policy" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc808118/", "id": "RL33816_2014Dec30", "date": "2014-12-30", "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA\u2019s Rural Utilities Service", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20141230_RL33816_a64bd458f7a56db36e5a9bb034c5080a238fe918.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20141230_RL33816_a64bd458f7a56db36e5a9bb034c5080a238fe918.html" } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc332909/", "id": "RL33816_2014Jun23", "date": "2014-06-23", "retrieved": "2014-08-27T12:47:05", "title": "Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA's Rural Utilities Service", "summary": "This report discusses the broadband loan and grant programs at Rural Utilities Service (RUS) that is intended to accelerate the deployment of broadband services in rural America.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20140623_RL33816_77e6dac2f217a3a045034af62533380ce5bf6d6b.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20140623_RL33816_77e6dac2f217a3a045034af62533380ce5bf6d6b.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Internet", "name": "Internet" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Computer networks", "name": "Computer networks" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Internet service providers", "name": "Internet service providers" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc813544/", "id": "RL33816_2014Feb12", "date": 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