Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture Bill

The Senate Committee on Appropriations approved, on a 28-0 vote, the fiscal year 2024 Agriculture bill. The committee provides $98 million for the ReConnect program at the Department of Agriculture. The committee again reminds USDA that funding should not be used in areas that are already largely served and should be focused in areas where at least 90% of households lack access. In doing so, the committee intends that USDA
should avoid efforts that could duplicate existing or planned broadband networks, including avoiding granting funding in areas where another provider already has received funding from another Federal, State or local funding program to build, has otherwise committed to a government entity to build, or has invested private risk capital to build in an area and has obtained necessary permits to do so, even if construction is not yet complete. The committee urges USDA to continue coordinating closely with the National Telecommunications Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission in a transparent manner to ensure that there is a common agreement about which areas are currently unserved, to utilize a common map to reach those conclusions that is updated each time a new funding decision is announced, and to have a clear and understandable challenge process. To avoid waste, funding should be given only to applicants that can and will follow through with their commitments by prioritizing applications from applicants that have demonstrated the technical and financial experience required to construct and operate broadband networks. To incentivize participation, applications should be as streamlined as possible, including allowing all providers to offer proof of financial capability through bond ratings instead of submitting financial documentation, and to offer collateral for loans as well as security for performance under grants using alternate forms of security instead of providing a first lien on assets. Applications should only require the data strictly necessary to evaluate the application and post-award burdens should be minimized. In addition, while the pilot is intended to be technology neutral, it is critical that federal broadband investments support projects that are both scalable and adequate for both current and future technological requirement and consumer needs.

The committee also recommends an appropriation of $195,721,000 for the Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program with some Congressionally Directed Spending for certain activities and locations.