Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Shelley Capito
Became Law
Summary
vetting process for high-cost universal service funding. The law creates a new requirement for the Federal Communications Commission to vet applicants seeking high-cost program money so funded projects show they can build broadband-capable networks and deliver supported services.
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- Rural families and communities: The law aims to boost accountability and transparency in federally funded broadband projects in high-cost and rural areas.
- Providers and applicants: Applicants must supply documentation of their technical, financial, and operational capabilities and a reasonable business plan. The FCC will judge proposals by well-established technical and financial standards and by applicants' past compliance with other government broadband programs.
- Regulators and enforcement: The FCC must start a rulemaking within 180 days and may impose penalties for pre-authorization defaults of at least $9,000 per violation and a base forfeiture of no less than 30% of the applicant's total support unless it shows a need for lower penalties.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger vetting for rural broadband funds
The law requires the FCC to start a rulemaking within 180 days to set a vetting process for new high‑cost broadband funding awards. Awards go only to applicants that prove technical, financial, and operational ability and submit a reasonable business plan to meet FCC-set performance levels. The FCC uses established technical, financial, and operational standards, including Digital Opportunity Data Collection standards, and checks each applicant’s past compliance. The rules are technology‑neutral and apply to awards based on applications filed after the new rules take effect. For pre‑authorization defaults, penalties are at least $9,000 per violation, and the base penalty is at least 30% of the applicant’s total support unless the FCC shows a need for a lower amount. These steps increase accountability and aim to deliver more reliable broadband in rural communities.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Shelley Capito
WV • R
Cosponsors
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Gary Peters
MI • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Raphael Warnock
GA • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov