H.R. 3125 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Apr 30, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryFunds technical help for rural broadband expansion
This bill creates official authority for a grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that gives money to organizations to provide training and technical assistance in rural communities. The assistance helps rural areas figure out how to get broadband internet access, find funding sources to pay for it, apply for those funds, and improve how their existing internet systems work.
How it affects you
If you live in a rural community working to expand broadband access, this bill means there's now official backing for organizations to help guide your area through the process of finding funding and building better internet infrastructure. For most other people, this bill has no direct effect, though it may eventually help rural areas get better internet service.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Apr 30, 2025)
Rural Broadband Assistance Act
This bill provides statutory authority for a grant program that supports the provision of technical assistance and training to facilitate rural broadband expansion. This program is administered by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is known as the Broadband Technical Assistance program.
Under the program, USDA makes grants to organizations that will provide or receive broadband-related technical assistance and training. This assistance and training must support expanded broadband access in rural communities. Grantees may provide or receive assistance and training related to (1) identifying broadband funding sources; (2) preparing applications for broadband funding; and (3) improving operations of existing broadband facilities, among other topics.
The bill requires USDA to prioritize applicants that have experience providing technical assistance and training to rural entities.
Separately, the bill repeals a requirement related to the use of certain funds for a database of rural broadband projects, reporting requirements, and oversight of related USDA broadband programs.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 3125
A BILL
Rural Broadband Assistance Act
Sponsor: Rep. David J. Taylor (R-OH-2) · Introduced Apr 30, 2025 · Science, Technology, Communications · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 30, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”