S2585-119

What This Bill Does

The bill targets the Deployment Locations Map created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It defines the Broadband Funding Map, FCC, NTIA, broadband infrastructure, and congressional committees; requires the FCC, coordinated with NTIA, to collect programmatic data from federal agencies on a reasonable and timely basis; starts an FCC notice of inquiry within 270 days on data completeness, usability, update timing, data categories, third-party mapping, and map-tool integration; and requires GAO within 180 days to study agency compliance, FCC authority and management, NTIA's ACCESS BROADBAND and IIJA data efforts, coordination with USDA, HHS, Treasury, HUD, and IMLS, taxpayer savings, and third-party data feasibility.

Who Benefits and How

Broadband grant administrators benefit because a more complete map can identify overlapping or fragmented federal broadband infrastructure funding. Rural broadband communities benefit if agencies can spot gaps and avoid inefficient overbuilding when deploying federal funds. Taxpayers benefit from GAO review of whether better map use can improve savings and reduce redundant broadband spending. The FCC benefits from an inquiry that clarifies needed data categories, update timing, authority gaps, and possible third-party data sources. NTIA benefits from explicit coordination with FCC map modernization and review of ACCESS BROADBAND data efforts. Congressional commerce committees benefit from GAO findings on agency compliance, FCC management, and interagency coordination.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The FCC must collect agency data, initiate and complete a notice of inquiry, evaluate data categories, and manage Broadband Funding Map improvements. NTIA must coordinate with the FCC and align ACCESS BROADBAND and IIJA data collection with map modernization. Federal broadband funding agencies must submit programmatic data completely and on time. GAO must conduct a 180-day study of roles, responsibilities, progress, authority, collaboration, savings, and third-party mapping feasibility. USDA, HHS, Treasury, HUD, and IMLS face review of their broadband infrastructure data submissions and coordination.

Key Provisions

• Requires FCC and NTIA coordination to collect Broadband Funding Map data from federal agencies on a reasonable and timely basis.
• Directs the FCC to initiate a notice of inquiry within 270 days on functionality, transparency, data quality, data categories, update timing, third-party mapping, and map-tool integration.
• Requires completion of the FCC inquiry within 120 days after initiation.
• Requires GAO to study agency submissions, FCC management, FCC authority, NTIA data efforts, coordination among broadband funding agencies, taxpayer savings, and third-party mapping.
• Provides congressional commerce committees with GAO findings and conclusions within 180 days.