S. 4385: Community Connect Grant Program Act of 2026
This bill, known as the Community Connect Grant Program Act of 2026, aims to amend the existing Community Connect Grant Program within the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. The key points of the bill include:
Eligibility and Broadband Standards
The bill updates the eligibility requirements for broadband services in rural areas. It sets new minimum broadband transmission capacities as follows:
- Downstream transmission capacity of at least 100 Mbps.
- Upstream transmission capacity of at least 20 Mbps.
It also changes previous references in the program to ensure the focus is explicitly on rural areas rather than vague geographic descriptions.
Funding Adjustments
The legislation allows for future eligibility of broadband service that may be deployed in these areas through enforceable commitments associated with other broadband funding programs. This means that projects already funded or planned may benefit from the grants if they align with the new criteria.
Extension of the Program
The bill extends the operational timeline of the Community Connect Grant Program to 2031, ensuring that funding and support for rural broadband infrastructure continue until that date.
Purpose of the Amendments
Overall, the amendments aim to enhance broadband accessibility and quality in rural regions, ensuring that these areas can meet modern connectivity needs as technology advances and digital demands increase.
Relevant Companies
These telecommunications companies may be significantly impacted as the bill could increase the demand for their broadband services in targeted rural areas and potentially provide scope for government funding to expand infrastructure.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
1 sponsor
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Apr. 27, 2026 | Introduced in Senate |
| Apr. 27, 2026 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. |
Corporate Lobbying
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