HR2750-119

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Bridging the Broadband Gap Act of 2025.

2. Use of BEAD Program funds to provide broadband vouchers Section 60102 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 U.S.C. 1702) is amended by adding at the end the following: If an eligible entity makes the determination described in paragraph (2) with respect to a political subdivision of such eligible entity, such eligible entity may use grant funds received under this section to provide to households in such political subdivision vouchers that such households may use to cover eligible broadband service costs. The determination described in this paragraph is a determination by an eligible entity that a political subdivision of such eligible entity lacks access to broadband service that such eligible entity considers adequate. In providing vouchers under this subsection, an eligible entity shall give priority to households in political subdivisions the per capita income of which is below the median per capita income of the political subdivisions of such eligible entity, as determined by such eligible entity. An eligible entity may not provide a voucher under this subsection to a household unless, on the day before such eligible entity provides the first such voucher to such household, such household resides at a location that is an unserved location or an underserved location. In the case of eligible broadband service costs described in clauses (i)(II) and (ii) of paragraph (5)(B), an eligible entity may only provide vouchers under this subsection to a household to cover such costs charged to such household with respect to a single period of 12 consecutive months. In this subsection: The term broadband customer premises equipment means equipment employed on the premises of a household to provide satellite or fixed wireless broadband service. The term eligible broadband service costs means the following: 50 percent of the amount charged by a provider of satellite or fixed wireless broadband service to a household for— the purchase of broadband customer premises equipment; or the monthly lease or rental of broadband customer premises equipment. The monthly amount (not to exceed $30 per month) charged by a provider of satellite or fixed wireless broadband service to a household for providing such service to such household. (p)Broadband vouchers (1)In generalIf an eligible entity makes the determination described in paragraph (2) with respect to a political subdivision of such eligible entity, such eligible entity may use grant funds received under this section to provide to households in such political subdivision vouchers that such households may use to cover eligible broadband service costs. (2)DeterminationThe determination described in this paragraph is a determination by an eligible entity that a political subdivision of such eligible entity lacks access to broadband service that such eligible entity considers adequate. (3)PriorityIn providing vouchers under this subsection, an eligible entity shall give priority to households in political subdivisions the per capita income of which is below the median per capita income of the political subdivisions of such eligible entity, as determined by such eligible entity. (4)Limitations (A)Households in unserved locations or underserved locationsAn eligible entity may not provide a voucher under this subsection to a household unless, on the day before such eligible entity provides the first such voucher to such household, such household resides at a location that is an unserved location or an underserved location. (B)DurationIn the case of eligible broadband service costs described in clauses (i)(II) and (ii) of paragraph (5)(B), an eligible entity may only provide vouchers under this subsection to a household to cover such costs charged to such household with respect to a single period of 12 consecutive months. (5)DefinitionsIn this subsection: (A)Broadband customer premises equipmentThe term broadband customer premises equipment means equipment employed on the premises of a household to provide satellite or fixed wireless broadband service. (B)Eligible broadband service costsThe term eligible broadband service costs means the following: (i)50 percent of the amount charged by a provider of satellite or fixed wireless broadband service to a household for— (I)the purchase of broadband customer premises equipment; or (II)the monthly lease or rental of broadband customer premises equipment. (ii)The monthly amount (not to exceed $30 per month) charged by a provider of satellite or fixed wireless broadband service to a household for providing such service to such household. .