Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act directs the Federal Communications Commission to review its fixed satellite service, mobile satellite service, and earth exploration satellite service rules to determine whether the FCC can make changes under existing authority that would promote precision agriculture. If the FCC identifies implementable rule changes, it must develop recommendations for how to implement them. Within 15 months after enactment, the FCC must submit a report to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee describing the review results and any recommendations. Earlier text also referenced consultation with the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States, but the House-passed text focuses on the FCC review and report.
Who Benefits and How
Rural farmers, agricultural producers, precision agriculture technology providers, satellite communications companies, farm equipment manufacturers, earth observation data providers, rural broadband advocates, House Energy and Commerce staff, and Senate Commerce staff benefit if the review identifies satellite-rule changes that improve connectivity for data-intensive farming, equipment telemetry, mapping, soil monitoring, weather data, and remote-field operations.
Who Bears the Burden and How
The Federal Communications Commission, FCC satellite bureau staff, fixed satellite service licensees, mobile satellite service providers, earth exploration satellite service operators, precision agriculture task-force participants, congressional report writers, and regulatory policy staff must review existing rules, assess whether changes fit current authority, develop recommendations, and submit the 15-month report.
Key Provisions
- Requires FCC review of fixed satellite service, mobile satellite service, and earth exploration satellite service rules.
- Directs the review to identify rule changes available under existing FCC authority that could promote precision agriculture.
- Requires FCC recommendations if implementable rule changes are identified.
- Requires a report to House and Senate commerce committees within 15 months.
- Defines Commission as the Federal Communications Commission.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Requires the Federal Communications Commission to review fixed satellite, mobile satellite, and earth exploration satellite service rules for changes under existing authority that could promote precision agriculture, develop recommendations if changes are available, and report results to House and Senate commerce committees within 15 months.
Key Policy Areas
Agriculture, Telecommunications, Satellite Services
Primary Purpose
Requires the Federal Communications Commission to review fixed satellite, mobile satellite, and earth exploration satellite service rules for changes under existing authority that could promote precision agriculture, develop recommendations if changes are available, and report results to House and Senate commerce committees within 15 months.
Policy Domains
Substantive provisions
Identified Gains
- Rural farmers
- Agricultural producers
- Precision agriculture technology providers
- Satellite communications companies
- Farm equipment manufacturers
- Earth observation data providers
- Rural broadband advocates
Identified Costs
- Federal Communications Commission
- FCC satellite bureau staff
- Fixed satellite service licensees
- Mobile satellite service providers
- Earth exploration satellite service operators
- Congressional report writers
- Regulatory policy staff
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
Passed HouseReceived; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, …
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to …
Passed House (inferred from eh version)
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3211-3212)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without …
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, …
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules …
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate …
Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the …
Additional sponsor: Mrs. Houchin
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Earth observation data providers, Precision agriculture technology providers
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology