Report on the 2022 Financial Services and General Government Bill

The House Appropriations Committee is moving a bill that would increase the Federal Communications Commission's budget by $14 million. And the increase comes with some recommendations:

• 60 days after enactment of these appropriations, the FCC would have to provide an updated spend plan and status report on Broadband Data Act spending
• The Committee encourages the FCC to continue work on partnering with the United States Postal Service to facilitate the collection of mobile wireless broadband data
• The Committee expects the FCC to fully enforce its rules related to buildout requirements and performance tier commitments for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
• The Committee is concerned about disparities in access to communications services on Tribal lands and in territories. The Committee encourages the FCC to implement policies to increase broadband access and adoption in these areas.
• The Committee urges the FCC to responsibly and efficiently take action to increase access to broadband on Tribal lands
• The Committee directs the FCC to evaluate new or existing programs that could be used to permanently extend telecommunications and information services to students at locations other than schools and libraries. The Committee directs the FCC to provide a briefing on implementation of the Emergency Connectivity Fund and any findings from its evaluations no later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act.
• The Committee supports a phased approach to making additional spectrum available for commercial licensed and unlicensed use. Additionally, the Committee supports the Commission’s efforts to make more mid-band spectrum available for auction and flexible commercial use.
• In recognition of the ongoing rapidly changing communications industry landscape, the Committee believes it is imperative that the FCC work with the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service on recommendations for Universal Service Fund (USF) modernization, including contribution reform to ensure the longterm sustainability and viability of the USF programs and resolve inequities in the current contributions structure.
• According to Universal Service Administrative Company estimates, less than 30 percent of eligible households participate in the Lifeline program. The Committee encourages the FCC to expeditiously address all recommendations made in GAO Report 21–235 to increase consumer awareness of and improve user experience with Lifeline. The Committee also encourages the FCC to work with community-based organizations to conduct outreach in areas with large amounts of unserved eligible households about the availability of the Lifeline program.
• The Committee urges the FCC to study the role of municipal-owned networks in expanding broadband access to unserved and underserved communities.

The bill also includes the following provisions:

• Section 510. The Committee continues and modifies a provision extending an exemption from the Antideficiency Act for the USF.
• Section 511. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting the FCC from changing rules governing the USF regarding single connection or primary line restrictions.
• Section 512. The Committee continues a provision relating to Universal Service Fund payments for wireless providers.