House Passes E-BRIDGE Act to Expand Internet Access

On November 4, the House of Representatives passed eight bills that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved on a bipartisan basis. The package included the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act (HR 3193), introduced by Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS). The legislation amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (P.L. 89−136) to remove hurdles for broadband projects under Economic Development Administration grants, including difficult last-mile efforts that often delay rural broadband deployment.  The bill also ensures that local communities can partner with the private sector in carrying out broadband projects and gives communities more flexibility in complying with their funding match requirements.