# 119-hr-1838: Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act

119-hr-1838, Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large] (D-VI); status in_committee; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-07-23).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1838
- As of: 2026-07-23
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-1838
- Congress: 119
- Title: Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-03-04
- Sponsor: Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large] (D-VI)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-07-23

## Summary

**This bill would refocus federal rural broadband programs to speed deployments and target** rural ports and nearby communities. It reshapes who qualifies for funding and how projects are prioritized.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1] (R-AL), 2025-03-04T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Higher grant share for rural builds: benefit, high. If enacted, grants would normally cover up to 50% of project development costs. The Secretary could raise that share up to 75% if the project serves certain rural households and rural communities defined in the program. This would lower the applicant's required match on eligible projects.
- Priority for rural ports and farms: benefit, medium. If enacted, projects that add broadband in rural ports would get equal priority in selection. The bill would define “port” broadly to include ports on navigable waters, shore-side inland facilities that move goods, and ports formed under state or territory law. Projects that quickly deploy broadban…
- Changed cost-sharing thresholds for applicants: mixed, medium. If enacted, two numbers used in program cost-sharing rules would change. One threshold would change from 50 to 90, and another would change from 3 to 2. Depending on how these numbers apply to your project, your required cost share or eligibility could go up or down.
- Faster decisions and early fund commitments: mixed, medium. If enacted, the Secretary would give applicants timely feedback and funding decisions. The Secretary could obligate funds before environmental or historic reviews finish, but could not pay out until the reviews are done. This could speed commitments while keeping review protections.
- Stronger checks on unserved areas and service: mixed, medium. If enacted, for top-priority applications the Secretary would confirm each listed unserved rural community by checking FCC and NTIA data, other sources, and doing site tests. The list would be reviewed at least every 2 years by notice in the Federal Register. The Secretary would also coordinate wit…
- New reporting and oversight for projects: mixed, low. If enacted, recipients would have to submit precise location data for new or upgraded service within 30 days after each milestone or project completion. At least 1% of program funds would be set aside for oversight and accountability. These rules would apply only to funded projects.

## Related bills

- 119-hr-6900: American Affordability Act of 2025
- 119-hr-9237: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
- 119-hr-3077: Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025
- 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-4312: SCORE Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-1838 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1838)

## Related
- [119-hr-6900: American Affordability Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-6900)
- [119-hr-9237: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9237)
- [119-hr-3077: Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3077)
- [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-4312: SCORE Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4312)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1838 (as of 2026-07-23).