Bill Summary
The "Modernization, Accountability, and Planning for Broadband Funding Act" (MAP for Broadband Funding Act) aims to enhance the Broadband Funding Map to ensure more effective use of federal funds for broadband deployment. It mandates the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to collaborate with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to gather and assess data related to broadband infrastructure funding.
Key provisions include:
1. **Data Collection**: The FCC will collect data from relevant federal agencies in a timely manner to avoid redundant broadband infrastructure investments and maximize efficiency.
2. **Inquiry**: Within 270 days of enactment, the FCC must initiate an inquiry to evaluate the functionality and transparency of the Broadband Funding Map, examining data quality, public usability, and the adequacy of current data categories.
3. **GAO Study**: The U.S. Comptroller is tasked with conducting a study within 180 days to assess federal agencies' roles in maintaining the Broadband Funding Map, identifying best practices, challenges, and potential improvements in interagency collaboration.
Overall, the act seeks to streamline the broadband funding process, enhance data transparency, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are effectively utilized in expanding broadband access.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Modernization, Accountability, and Planning for Broadband Funding Act" could affect people:
1. **Improved Broadband Access**: By modernizing the Broadband Funding Map, the legislation aims to ensure that federal funds for broadband deployment are allocated more efficiently. This could lead to increased access to high-speed internet in underserved or rural areas, benefiting individuals and families by providing better opportunities for education, telehealth services, remote work, and access to information.
2. **Increased Transparency and Accountability**: The requirement for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other agencies to collect and submit data regarding broadband deployment will promote transparency. This could empower citizens to hold their government accountable for the distribution of broadband funds and ensure that taxpayer money is being used effectively. Individuals may have access to clearer information on how and where broadband services are being developed, which can influence community engagement and advocacy.
3. **Reduction of Redundant Infrastructure**: The legislation’s focus on preventing redundant overbuilding of broadband infrastructure can help to minimize wasteful spending of federal funds. This means that communities will avoid the pitfalls of having multiple competing services in the same area, potentially leading to lower costs for consumers and allowing for better allocation of resources toward areas that truly need improvement in broadband services. As a result, individuals in areas lacking adequate broadband may see faster improvements to their internet services.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2585 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2585
To modernize and improve the Broadband Funding Map in order to promote
the most efficient use of Federal funds for broadband deployment, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 31, 2025
Mrs. Fischer (for herself and Ms. Cortez Masto) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To modernize and improve the Broadband Funding Map in order to promote
the most efficient use of Federal funds for broadband deployment, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Modernization, Accountability, and
Planning for Broadband Funding Act'' or the ``MAP for Broadband Funding
Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives.
(2) Broadband funding map.--The term ``Broadband Funding
Map'' means the Deployment Locations Map, as defined in section
60105(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47
U.S.C. 1704(a)).
(3) Broadband infrastructure.--The term ``broadband
infrastructure'' has the meaning given that term in section
60105(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47
U.S.C. 1704(a)).
(4) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal
Communications Commission.
(5) NTIA.--The term ``NTIA'' means the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration.
SEC. 3. BROADBAND FUNDING MAP MODERNIZATION.
(a) In General.--The Commission, in coordination with NTIA, shall
collect data submitted for the Broadband Funding Map by relevant
Federal agencies on a reasonable and timely basis pursuant to section
60105(d) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 U.S.C.
1704), in order to promote the most efficient use of Federal funds for
broadband deployment and prevent redundant overbuilding of broadband
infrastructure with Federal funding.
(b) Inquiry.--
(1) Notice of inquiry.--Not later than 270 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall initiate a
notice of inquiry concerning the optimum functionality and
transparency of the Broadband Funding Map, including the
quality and completeness of the data populated to the Broadband
Funding Map.
(2) Evaluation considerations.--In the inquiry, the
Commission shall include evaluation of the following
considerations:
(A) The adequacy with which Federal agencies have
been able to collect and submit the required categories
of data pursuant to section 60105(d) of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 U.S.C. 1704)
to date.
(B) The usability of such existing categories of
data described in subparagraph (A) to the public, and
whether any category should be added, eliminated, or
otherwise altered for improved user experience.
(C) The timeliness of periodic updates from Federal
agencies to the Broadband Funding Map described in
subparagraph (A) pursuant to section 60105(e) of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 U.S.C.
1704).
(D) Whether the scope of programmatic data to be
reported to the Broadband Funding Map pursuant to
section 60105(d)(1) of the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act (47 U.S.C. 1704) should be expanded.
(E) Any manners in which the Commission should
potentially augment or streamline the Broadband Funding
Map with existing Commission mapping tools.
(3) Completion.--Not later than 120 days after the
initiation of the inquiry under paragraph (1), the Commission
shall complete the inquiry.
SEC. 4. GAO STUDY AND REPORT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller of the United States shall--
(1) conduct a study on the roles, responsibilities, and
progress to date of Federal agencies to maintain the Broadband
Funding Map and ensure the completeness and continued relevance
of the Broadband Funding Map; and
(2) submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
report on the study under paragraph (1) that includes the
findings and conclusions of the Comptroller General.
(b) Requirements.--In conducting the study required under
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall review the following:
(1) The extent to which each eligible Federal agency is
submitting programmatic data to the Broadband Funding Map
adequately and in compliance with section 60105 of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 U.S.C. 1704),
including identification of any--
(A) successful best practices in submitting such
data to the Commission; and
(B) challenges resulting in incomplete data
submissions from an agency or individual program to the
Commission.
(2) The proficiency of the Commission's management of the
Broadband Funding Map and related interagency collaboration.
(3) Whether the Commission has sufficient authority to
collect the necessary data from Federal agencies to populate
the Broadband Funding Map.
(4) The respective data collection efforts of NTIA pursuant
to the ACCESS BROADBAND Act (47 U.S.C. 1307) and section 60105
of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 U.S.C. 1704).
(5) The effectiveness of coordination among the Commission,
NTIA, and other relevant Federal agencies that provide funding
for broadband infrastructure deployment, including the
Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human
Services, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of
Housing and Urban Development, and the Institute of Museum and
Library Sciences, pursuant to section 60105(g) of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 U.S.C. 1704).
(6) How enhanced use of the Broadband Funding Map across
relevant Federal agencies could improve taxpayer savings.
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