Sec. 3. National Strategy to Close the Digital Divide
534 words·~2 min read·
/bill/118/s/2238/rs/section-3A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the heads of the covered agencies, shall develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a National Strategy to Close the Digital Divide to— support better management of Federal broadband programs to deliver on the goal of providing high-speed, affordable broadband internet access service to all individuals in the United States; synchronize interagency coordination among covered agencies for Federal broadband programs; synchronize interagency coordination regarding the process for approving the grant of an easement, right of way, or lease to, in, over, or on a building or any other property owned by the Federal Government for the right to install, construct, modify, or maintain infrastructure with respect to broadband internet access service; and reduce barriers, lower costs, and ease administrative burdens for State, local, and Tribal governments to participate in Federal broadband programs.
The Strategy shall— list all— Federal broadband programs; and programs that exist at the State and local levels that are directly or indirectly intended to increase the deployment of, access to, the affordability of, or the adoption of broadband internet access service; describe current, as of the date on which the Strategy is submitted, Federal efforts to coordinate Federal broadband programs; identify gaps and limitations, including laws, that hinder, or may hinder, coordination across Federal broadband programs; establish clear roles and responsibilities for the heads of the covered agencies, as well as clear goals, objectives, and performance measures, for— the management of all Federal broadband programs; and interagency coordination efforts with respect to Federal broadband programs; address the cost of the Strategy, the sources and types of resources and investments needed to carry out the Strategy, and where those resources and investments should be targeted based on balancing risk reductions with costs; address factors that increase the costs and administrative burdens for State, local, and Tribal governments with respect to participation in Federal broadband programs; recommend incentives, legislative solutions, and administrative actions to help State, local, and Tribal governments more efficiently— distribute, and effectively administer, funding received from Federal broadband programs; and resolve conflicts with respect to the funding described in subparagraph (A); recommend incentives, legislative solutions, and administrative actions to— improve the coordination and management of Federal broadband programs; and eliminate duplication with respect to Federal broadband programs; describe current, as of the date on which the Strategy is submitted, efforts by covered agencies to streamline the process for granting access to an easement, right of way, or lease to, in, over, or on a building or any other property owned by the Federal Government for the right to install, construct, modify, or maintain infrastructure with respect to broadband internet access service; identify gaps and limitations with respect to allowing regional, interstate, or cross-border economic development organizations to participate in Federal broadband programs; and address specific issues relating to closing the digital divide on Tribal lands.
In developing the Strategy, the Assistant Secretary shall consult with— groups that represent consumers or the interests of the public, including economically or socially disadvantaged individuals; subject matter experts; providers of broadband internet access service; Tribal entities; and State and local agencies and entities.