CBO Scores ACCESS BROADBAND Act

ACCESS BROADBAND Act (S 1046) would direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to establish the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth to help communities develop strategies to expand the deployment and use of high-speed Internet services. The office would conduct workshops, develop broadband training, create and distribute publications, consult with other federal agencies that offer broadband support programs to streamline and standardize their applications processes, and develop a central website for information about federal broadband programs.

Using information from NTIA, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that implementing S. 1046 would cost $8 million over the 2020-2025 period; any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Of that amount, $4 million would be for five additional employees at NTIA (at an annual cost of about $170,000 each), $3 million for NTIA to develop and maintain a central website for federal broadband programs and to standardize federal agency applications for broadband grant assistance, and $1 million for other agencies to coordinate their efforts with NTIA.