SPEED for BEAD Act
Sponsored By: Representative Hudson
Introduced
Summary
Would streamline and expand broadband deployment under the BEAD program by setting a clear gigabit standard, allowing any technology that meets performance, and limiting grant-related conditions and federal rate-setting.
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- Families and communities: Would treat any technology that meets the performance criteria as reliable broadband and defines gigabit as at least 1,000 megabits per second (1,000 Mbps), broadening which builds qualify.
- Workers and trainees: Would add telecommunications workforce development as an eligible use of BEAD funds, opening federal support for training and hiring.
- Local implementers and providers: Would let project applicants remove high-cost locations from defined project areas and still receive subgrants, and would bar grant conditions tied to wages, project labor agreements, union or local-hiring rules, diversity or equity requirements, network management rules like data caps, and certain letters of credit.
- Program funding rules: Would require unused BEAD allocations, after deadlines, to be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Limits on BEAD bid conditions
The bill would bar BEAD officials from requiring rules on wages, project labor agreements, union status, local hiring, climate, network practices (like data caps), open access, or diversity/equity programs. It would also restrict certain letters‑of‑credit demands when a provider already runs similar networks and seeks less than 25% of its annual revenue or to serve less than 25% of its locations. These limits would apply even if a state proposed them earlier.
Let bidders drop costly locations
If a state defines a project area, bidders would be able to remove locations that make the job unreasonably costly. The state could then award separate subgrants for the removed sites. This could help smaller providers bid on the rest.
Wider tech options for BEAD builds
The bill would let BEAD projects use any technology that meets the program’s performance rules. Fiber, fixed wireless, or satellite could qualify if they pass the tests. It would also define gigabit‑level service as at least 1,000 megabits per second download. States would use this standard to judge eligible sites and bids.
Unused BEAD money returns to Treasury
If a recipient does not use its full BEAD allocation by the deadline, the unused money would go back to the U.S. Treasury. States or other recipients that miss the deadline would lose access to those funds. This could reduce broadband buildouts where delays occur.
No price setting in BEAD projects
The bill would stop the NTIA and states from setting or capping broadband rates or using prices to score bids. Two exceptions would remain: rate rules approved before enactment, or rate rules tied to a required low‑cost plan. Providers would have more pricing flexibility; consumers could see fewer price controls.
BEAD funds for telecom training
The bill would allow BEAD money to pay for telecom workforce programs. Training, apprenticeships, and similar programs could get funding. Workers who enroll could gain skills for broadband jobs.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Hudson
NC • R
Cosponsors
Allen
GA • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Latta
OH • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Bilirakis
FL • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Carter (GA)
GA • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Dunn (FL)
FL • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Joyce (PA)
PA • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Fulcher
ID • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Pfluger
TX • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Cammack
FL • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Obernolte
CA • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Houchin
IN • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Fry
SC • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Goldman (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Crenshaw
TX • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Fedorchak
ND • R
Sponsored 3/10/2025
Miller-Meeks
IA • R
Sponsored 3/10/2025
Bergman
MI • R
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Harrigan
NC • R
Sponsored 4/7/2025
Weber (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Wittman
VA • R
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Foxx
NC • R
Sponsored 10/3/2025
Williams (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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