PLAN for Broadband Act | ChamberLight

REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 323Broadcasting, cable, digital technologiesGeography and mapping

PLAN for Broadband Act

INTRO JAN 29· LAST ACTION JUN 1

READING

14MIN

COSPONSORS

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

Reported, not passed

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

Voters should care about this bill because it aims to make sure taxpayer money used for expanding high-speed internet access is spent as effectively as possible. Currently, many different federal agencies run their own programs to deploy broadband, which can sometimes lead to duplicated efforts, confusion, and inefficiencies. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to a more organized approach, potentially speeding up the process of getting reliable internet to communities that desperately need it, from remote rural areas to underserved urban neighborhoods.

If this bill doesn't become law, federal broadband efforts might continue with less coordination, potentially wasting resources and delaying the deployment of internet services to millions of Americans. By developing a national strategy, the bill seeks to reduce administrative burdens, cut down on unnecessary costs, and ensure that investments in broadband infrastructure are targeted effectively, ultimately improving access and affordability for everyone.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to develop a National Strategy to Synchronize Federal Broadband Programs within one year.

This establishes the core action of the bill, initiating a comprehensive plan to coordinate federal broadband efforts.

PROVISION 02

Requires the Strategy to list all federal, state, and local broadband programs and describe current coordination efforts.

This foundational step creates a complete inventory and baseline understanding of the current landscape, essential for identifying gaps and duplication.

PROVISION 03

Mandates the Strategy identify gaps and limitations, and establish clear roles, goals, and performance measures for covered agencies in managing broadband programs.

This aims to fix existing problems in coordination and create accountability for agencies working on broadband deployment.

PROVISION 04

Requires the Strategy to recommend legislative and administrative actions to help state, local, and Tribal governments efficiently distribute funding and avoid duplication of infrastructure.

This provision directly addresses issues faced by local communities in deploying broadband and seeks to make their efforts more effective.

PROVISION 05

Directs the Strategy to address streamlining the process for obtaining permits and access to federal property for broadband infrastructure installation.

This aims to remove a significant barrier that often delays or increases the cost of building new internet networks.

SPONSORSHIP

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COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%

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ACTION TIMELINE

9 EVENTS

JUN 1

By Senator Cruz from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 119-123. Minority views filed.

FLOOR

MAY 21

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with amendments. Without written report.

COMMITTEE

MAY 21

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 421.

CALENDARS

MAR 12

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

COMMITTEE

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 323

Congress119th

StatusReported

IntroducedJan 29, 2025

Last actionJun 1, 2026

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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 29, 2025

Senate BillS 323Broadcasting, cable, digital technologiesGeography and mapping

PLAN for Broadband Act

INTRODUCED JAN 29, 2025· LAST ACTION JUN 1, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

14 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to develop a National Strategy to Synchronize Federal Broadband Programs within one year.

This establishes the core action of the bill, initiating a comprehensive plan to coordinate federal broadband efforts.

med

Requires the Strategy to list all federal, state, and local broadband programs and describe current coordination efforts.

This foundational step creates a complete inventory and baseline understanding of the current landscape, essential for identifying gaps and duplication.

high

Mandates the Strategy identify gaps and limitations, and establish clear roles, goals, and performance measures for covered agencies in managing broadband programs.

This aims to fix existing problems in coordination and create accountability for agencies working on broadband deployment.

high

Requires the Strategy to recommend legislative and administrative actions to help state, local, and Tribal governments efficiently distribute funding and avoid duplication of infrastructure.

This provision directly addresses issues faced by local communities in deploying broadband and seeks to make their efforts more effective.

med

Directs the Strategy to address streamlining the process for obtaining permits and access to federal property for broadband infrastructure installation.

This aims to remove a significant barrier that often delays or increases the cost of building new internet networks.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act

Assistant Secretary must develop and submit the National Strategy to Synchronize Federal Broadband Programs to the appropriate committees of Congress.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information: A high-ranking official within the U.S. Department of Commerce who leads the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the President's principal adviser on telecommunications and information policy.
Broadband internet access service: High-speed internet service that provides faster data transfer rates than traditional dial-up, allowing for activities like streaming video, online gaming, and video calls.
Covered agencies: A broad list of federal government departments and commissions (like the FCC, USDA, HHS, etc.) that run programs related to internet access or infrastructure.
Federal broadband program: Any government initiative managed by a federal agency aimed at increasing the availability, access, affordability, or adoption of high-speed internet service.
Deployment Locations Map: A mapping tool created by the government that shows where high-speed internet service is currently available across the country.
Federal land management agency: Specific federal agencies responsible for overseeing and managing public lands, such as the National Park Service or the Forest Service.

ACTION TIMELINE

9 EVENTS

JUN 1

By Senator Cruz from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 119-123. Minority views filed.

FLOOR

MAY 21

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with amendments. Without written report.

COMMITTEE

MAY 21

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 421.

CALENDARS

MAR 12, 25

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

COMMITTEE

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Committee Referrals

Commerce, Science, and Transportation CommitteeReferred

Jun 1, 2026

senate

Related Hearings

Business meeting to consider S.28, to require the disclosure of a camera or recording capability in certain internet-connected devices, S.97, to require SelectUSA to coordinate with State-level economic development organizations to increase foreign direct investment in semiconductor-related manufacturing and production, S.244, to direct the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, to conduct a study of the national security risks posed by consumer routers, modems, and devices that combine a modem and router, S.289, to ban the sale of products with a high concentration of sodium nitrate to individuals, S.323, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to develop a National Strategy to Synchronize Federal Broadband Programs, S.389, to establish consumer standards for lithium-ion batteries, S.414, to require covered digital advertising platforms to report their public service advertisements, S.428, to promote space situational awareness and space traffic coordination and to modify the functions and leadership of the Office of Space Commerce, S.433, to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the National Manufacturing Advisory Council within the Department of Commerce, S.582, to provide for the authorized use of Federal vehicle transportation by certain astronauts, S.613, to require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to maintain the National Mesonet Program, S.759, to provide for standardization, publication, and accessibility of data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways, S.841, to require online dating service providers to provide fraud ban notifications to online dating service members, S.843, to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program, and the nominations of Mark Meador, of Virginia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner, and Michael Kratsios, of South Carolina, to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (senate)Mar 12, 2025

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PLAN for Broadband Act

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PLAN for Broadband Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

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