House Subcommittee Supports Rural Broadband Funding

HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE SUPPORTS RURAL BROADBAND FUNDING
[SOURCE: House Agriculture Committee]
On June 6, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign Agriculture approved proposals for the Farm Bill sections under its jurisdiction. The Subcommittee approved by voice vote discussion drafts outlining the Rural Development. The bill would reauthorize loans to local entities for the expansion of rural 911 access. The discussion draft approved by the Subcommittee changes program eligibility requirements to improve access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas, and would also establish a National Center for Rural Telecommunications Assessment. An amendment by Rep John Salazar would mandate a comprehensive rural broadband strategy from the Secretary of Agriculture. The strategy would : 1) promote interagency coordination of policies and resources, 2) coordinate existing rural initiatives, 3) address both short- and long-term solutions and 4) cataloging best practises for addressing rural broadband needs. The plan is to include goals and timeframes.
http://agriculture.house.gov/list/press/agriculture_dem/pr_060607_SCRDFA_markup.html

* See a summary of the bill at http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/Legislation/110/TitleVII_RD2_sbs.pdf

* See the Salazar amendment at: http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/Legislation/110/Salazar001_RuralBroadband.pdf