To eliminate the authority of the Secretary to increase the amount of grants provided to eligible entities relating to providing access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas.

SA 2273. Mr. DeMINT submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill S. 3240, to reauthorize agricultural programs through
2017, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as
follows:

Beginning on page 765, strike line 9 and all that follows
through page 766, line 16, and insert the following:
``(B) Maximum.--The amount of any grant made under this
section shall not exceed 50 percent of the development costs
of the project for which the grant is provided.
``(C) Grant rate.--The Secretary shall establish the grant
rate for each project in accordance with regulations issued
by the Secretary that shall provide for a graduated scale of
grant rates that establish higher rates for projects in
communities that have--
``(i) remote locations;
``(ii) low community populations;
``(iii) low income levels; and
``(iv) developed the applications of the communities with
the participation of combinations of stakeholders,
including--

``(I) State, local, and tribal governments;
``(II) nonprofit institutions;
``(III) institutions of higher education;
``(IV) private entities; and
``(V) philanthropic organizations.'';

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