What does Preamble of Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 do?

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a vetting process for applicants seeking funding from high-cost universal service programs.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

What does VETTING PROCESS FOR PROSPECTIVE HIGH-COST UNIVERSAL SERVICE of Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 to establish a vetting process for applicants and recipients of high-cost universal service program funding. The term 'covered funding' is defined as any new offer of high-cost universal service program funding, including funding from reverse competitive bidding. A 'new covered funding award' is defined as an award made based on an application submitted after rules are promulgated under the new section. The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) must initiate a rulemaking proceeding within 180 days of the subsection's enactment to establish this vetting process. Applicants must demonstrate they possess technical, financial, and operational capabilities, and have a reasonable business plan to deploy the proposed network and deliver services. The Commission will evaluate proposals against technical, financial, and operational standards, including those adopted in the Digital Opportunity Data Collection (WC Docket No. 19-195). The Commission will also consider an applicant's history of complying with requirements in other broadband deployment funding programs. Penalties for pre-authorization defaults will be at least $9,000 per violation, with a minimum base forfeiture of 30 percent of the applicant's total support.

Back to bills

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

Last updated: 4/30/2026 · Introduced: 1/15/2025

Author: Shelley Capito (R-WV)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill mandates the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create a vetting process for applicants seeking funding from high-cost universal service programs.
Applicants seeking such funding must demonstrate technical, financial, and operational capabilities, alongside a viable business plan for network deployment and service delivery.
The bill establishes penalties, including financial forfeitures, for applicants who default before receiving authorization for funding.

119th Congresspassed bothHR. 1768(In Committee)Official page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes

Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 1 more.

3 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

Want the full experience?

Create a free account to cast verified votes on each section, get a personalized summary, and track your voting history.

Create Free Account