S. 4459 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Apr 30, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStudy satellite broadband for Appalachia
The Appalachian Regional Commission oversees development projects in Appalachia, and this bill asks a government office called the Government Accountability Office to study whether satellites could be used to bring broadband internet to the region. The study would look at whether satellite internet is practical and cost-effective for businesses and economic growth in Appalachia.
How it affects you
This bill doesn't directly change anything for people right now. It simply asks for research to be done. If the study finds that satellite broadband could work well, it might eventually lead to better internet access for people and businesses in Appalachian communities, but that would depend on future decisions.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Apr 30, 2026)
Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report to Congress on the Appalachian Regional Commission’s capability to incorporate satellites in broadband projects. Specifically, the study must review and analyze the capacity and cost-effectiveness of using satellite broadband service for business purposes and economic development.
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.
2nd SessionS. 4459
A BILL
Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act
Sponsor: Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) · Introduced Apr 30, 2026 · Science, Technology, Communications · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 30, 2026: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.”