Sec. 2. Office of Rural Broadband
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In this section: The term agency has the meaning given the term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. The term broadband has the meaning given the term advanced telecommunications capability in section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 ( 47 U.S.C. 1302 ). The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission. The term Office means the Office of Rural Broadband established under subsection (b). The term rural has the meaning given the term in section 54.505(b)(3) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall establish an Office of Rural Broadband. The Office shall have the following duties: Coordinate efforts with the Rural Utilities Service of the Department of Agriculture and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to ensure the mutual and complementary success of— the initiatives of the Commission; and the programs overseen by the other agencies described in this paragraph.
Coordinate with the Universal Service Administrative Company to maintain updated information regarding programs that deploy rural broadband. Coordinate with other agencies to remove barriers to broadband deployment. Assess, and publish the assessment of, the impact of proposed actions of the Commission on rural consumers before the actions are voted upon or taken. Track broadband internet subscription rates in rural areas, using data collected by the Bureau of the Census under section 103(d) of the Broadband Data Improvement Act ( 47 U.S.C. 1303(d) ).
Coordinate with other bureaus and offices of the Commission and other agencies to ensure consistency and updating of broadband mapping in rural areas. Include in the Communications Marketplace Report required under section 13 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 163 ) a report on the efforts of the Office to promote and sustain quality and affordable rural communications services, including voice service and broadband service. Dedicate a representative to address stakeholder questions and concerns.
Nothing in this section shall create any additional reporting requirement for a broadband provider.
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