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119-s-3565119th CongressWALLET

SUCCESS for BEAD Act

Sponsored By: Senator Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

Introduced

Summary

Authorizes remaining BEAD funds to create a competitive subgrant program that would target broadband buildout, workforce training, Next Generation 9-1-1 modernization, and AI-ready network infrastructure.

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  • Would prioritize projects that extend service to unserved and underserved communities, including Tribal lands, by funding fiber, conduit, carrier-neutral internet exchange points, mobile wireless, and submarine cable projects.
  • Would fund planning and implementation of narrowly targeted workforce programs for telecommunications, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and electrical distribution, and allow a noncompetitive subgrant to a workforce development board for those activities.
  • Would require eligible entities to use remaining amounts for competitive subgrants, impose a 25 percent cost share for subgrantees that may be waived, cap operations funding at 15 percent of a subgrant, create a public challenge process for wholesale fiber routes, bar subgrants for data centers whose primary purpose is processing and storing data, and lock in a specific Buy America waiver for certain recipients.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Stronger federal support for 9-1-1

If enacted, the bill would give the Assistant Secretary new duties to help modernize Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1). The Assistant Secretary would coordinate with State contacts, share best practices, and review or approve uses of leftover BEAD funds for NG9-1-1 projects. Eligible entities that want to use remaining BEAD amounts for NG9-1-1 would have to certify they coordinated with local emergency communications centers and name a single lead contact. Those entities would also need a plan that covers interoperability, reliability, multimedia data, cybersecurity, open procurement, stakeholder input, and governance.

Keep Buy America waiver for BEAD

If enacted, the bill would lock in a final Buy America waiver dated February 22, 2024 for BEAD recipients so that the waiver cannot be changed or withdrawn for those recipients. The Assistant Secretary would still issue implementing regulations, but the referenced waiver would remain fixed as applied to BEAD recipients. This would give procurement certainty for projects that rely on that waiver.

Faster guidance for BEAD grants

If enacted, the bill would require the Assistant Secretary to issue guidance to implement these changes within 30 days after enactment. Guidance about workforce development programs would be written with the Secretary of Labor. The guidance would also be asked to follow federal grant rules (2 CFR part 200) to make award administration more consistent.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

MS • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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