Overview
Title
To direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to develop a National Strategy to Close the Digital Divide, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The PLAN for Broadband Act wants to make sure everyone in the U.S. can get fast and cheap internet by having a big plan for all the people in charge to work together and make it easier for states and towns to help.
Summary AI
H.R. 2805, known as the "Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act” or the “PLAN for Broadband Act," directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to create a National Strategy to Close the Digital Divide within one year. The strategy aims to ensure all people in the U.S. have access to affordable high-speed internet by better managing federal programs, improving coordination among government agencies, and reducing participation barriers for state, local, and Tribal governments. Additionally, the bill requires a detailed implementation plan, public consultation, and regular progress updates to Congress, as well as a study by the Government Accountability Office to assess the strategy's effectiveness.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The bill, known as the "Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act" or the "PLAN for Broadband Act," aims to address the digital divide in the United States. It directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to develop a National Strategy to provide high-speed, affordable broadband internet access to all individuals in the U.S. The strategy involves better management of federal broadband programs, synchronization of interagency coordination, and reduction of barriers for state, local, and Tribal governments in participating in federal programs. The bill also outlines the need for an implementation plan, periodic briefings, and a study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess its efficacy.
Summary of Significant Issues
A key issue with the bill is the lack of a clear definition for "high-speed, affordable broadband internet access service," which is crucial for consistent implementation across different regions. Additionally, the bill lacks specific accountability measures and oversight mechanisms, which are essential to ensure effective coordination among various agencies. The frequent, broad language concerning reducing barriers and easing administrative burdens is not supported by concrete steps, making the strategy susceptible to vague interpretations. Furthermore, the absence of guidelines for periodic updates to the strategy risks it becoming outdated over time.
Concerns are also raised regarding the sufficiency of the public comment period, which may not allow adequate time for thorough engagement. Additionally, the financial aspect of the GAO study and potential gaps in agency coverage may lead to inefficiencies or missed opportunities.
Impact on the General Public
The bill has the potential to significantly impact the public by striving to make broadband internet access more universally available and affordable. By coordinating federal efforts and addressing various administrative hurdles, the bill aims to streamline processes that are typically cumbersome. This could lead to more efficient use of government resources and a reduction in the digital divide, benefiting underserved communities and enhancing overall connectivity.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
State, Local, and Tribal Governments: These stakeholders may experience improved access to federal broadband programs due to reduced barriers and administrative burdens. However, the lack of clarity in implementation details might lead to challenges in navigating these improvements effectively.
Federal Agencies: Agencies covered by the bill may face challenges regarding accountability and coordination if the issues related to oversight and role clarity are not addressed. The absence of strict guidelines may result in duplication of efforts or inefficient use of resources.
Consumers and Public Interest Groups: While the bill aims to consult diverse groups representing consumer interests, the short public comment period may limit meaningful participation, potentially overlooking insights from key stakeholders.
Providers of Broadband Internet Services: These entities may benefit from streamlined processes in infrastructure development. However, unclear definitions and lack of periodic strategy updates could lead to inconsistencies in service expectations and delivery.
Overall, while the bill presents a noble goal of closing the digital divide, stakeholders must address the notable issues to ensure that its objectives are realized effectively and equitably across different communities and sectors.
Issues
The definition of 'high-speed, affordable broadband internet access service' is not provided in Section 2, which could lead to varied interpretations and implementations across different regions and agencies.
Section 2 lacks specific accountability measures and oversight mechanisms, which could lead to ineffective management and coordination among the various Federal broadband programs.
Section 2 calls for 'synchronizing interagency coordination,' but does not specify how this will be measured or maintained over time, potentially leading to inconsistencies or inefficiencies.
The Strategy in Section 2 includes broad language such as 'reduce barriers, lower costs, and ease administrative burdens,' but does not provide concrete examples or steps, leading to potential ambiguity in implementation.
There is no mention of periodic review or updates to the Strategy in Section 2 to account for technological advancements or changing broadband access needs, risking the strategy becoming outdated.
Section 3 lacks detailed guidelines on how to ensure accountability for covered agencies, which may result in ambiguity in enforcement and potential wasteful spending.
The brief public comment period of 30 days in Section 3 may be insufficient for thorough public engagement and feedback, which could result in the exclusion of important stakeholder perspectives.
The frequent briefing timeline (every 90 days) in Section 4 might lead to administrative burdens and inefficiencies if flexibility in timelines is necessary.
Section 5 does not specify a budget or funding source for the Government Accountability Office study, leading to potential concerns about overspending or inefficiencies.
The term 'appropriate committees of Congress' in Section 6 is specific to only two committees, which might limit oversight or involvement from other potentially relevant committees.
Section 6 defines 'covered agencies' extensively but might overlook smaller or lesser-known agencies that could play a role in Federal broadband programs.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the act states its official name, which is the “Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act,” also known as the “PLAN for Broadband Act.”
2. National Strategy to Close the Digital Divide Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section mandates the creation of a National Strategy to Close the Digital Divide within one year, aiming to improve access to affordable internet by enhancing coordination among federal, state, local, and Tribal broadband programs, reducing administrative hurdles, and recommending legislative and administrative solutions. It outlines the Strategy's required elements, including listing existing programs, identifying gaps, and addressing participation challenges for various governments, with input from a broad range of stakeholders.
3. Implementation Plan Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Implementation Plan requires the Assistant Secretary to submit a comprehensive plan for managing and coordinating Federal broadband programs within 120 days after presenting the Strategy to Congress. This plan should include strategies for accountability, public engagement, data usage, waste reduction, and increasing public awareness, along with detailing any necessary actions to support these efforts while inviting public comments within 30 days of Strategy submission.
4. Briefings and implementation Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Assistant Secretary is required to brief Congress on the implementation of a Strategy not later than 21 days after submitting an Implementation Plan and continue updating them every 90 days until the plan is fully implemented. This section also clarifies that it does not change the authority of the Federal Communications Commission.
5. Government Accountability Office study and report Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the effectiveness of a strategy and implementation plan aimed at reducing the digital divide, and to submit a report to Congress with findings and improvement suggestions within a year after the plan is submitted.
6. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The definitions section of the bill explains important terms. It specifies which congressional committees are "appropriate," identifies the "Assistant Secretary" of Commerce for Communications and Information, lists "covered agencies" involved in broadband programs, and defines what a "Federal broadband program" is. It also outlines what is meant by "Implementation Plan," "State," and "Strategy" related to digital divide initiatives.