S.Amdt. 3083

SA 3083. Mr. PETERS (for himself and Mrs. Capito) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 2, to provide
for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of
the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2023, and for other
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title VI, add the following:

SEC. 6211. COMMUNITY BROADBAND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

(a) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the
term ``eligible entity'' means--
(1) a local government agency;
(2) a regional agency;
(3) a nonprofit organization with relevant expertise; or
(4) a public-private partnership.
(b) Grants.--The Secretary shall make broadband technical
assistance and planning grants to eligible entities to
conduct assessments and develop action plans for the
expansion of broadband services in the area served by the
eligible entity.
(c) Qualified Activities.--An eligible entity may use a
grant awarded under this section to--
(1) establish a multi-stakeholder broadband planning team;
(2) determine the extent to which broadband service is
accessible in the community or region served by the eligible
entity by--
(A) undertaking a physical comprehensive inventory of
broadband infrastructure assets and capabilities; and
(B) developing a geographic information system (commonly
known as ``GIS'')-based map of existing serviceability;
(3) assess current broadband adoption rates in the
community or region;
(4) assess advertised broadband service pricing in the
community or region across all available providers;
(5) obtain professional advice or guidance on--
(A) options to expand broadband service, including public-
private partnerships;
(B) potential sustainable financial models; or
(C) grant writing; or
(6)(A) identify and analyze government policies,
ordinances, or statutes that may be hindering broadband
expansion; and
(B) make recommendations for modification.
(d) Award Amount Limitation.--The amount of a grant awarded
under this section shall be not more than $200,000.
(e) Term.--A grant awarded under this section--
(1) shall be for an initial term of 1 year; and
(2) may be renewed by the Secretary for a single additional
term of 1 year in the same amount as initially provided.
(f) Funding.--The Secretary shall carry out this section
using--
(1) amounts made available for technical assistance and
pre-development planning activities under section 779 of
division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018
(Public Law 115-141); and
(2) any other amounts available to the Secretary.
(g) Other Conditions.--The requirements under section 779
of division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018
(Public Law 115-141) shall apply to grants awarded under this
section, except to the extent that those requirements are
inconsistent with this section.
(h) Program Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out this
section during fiscal year 2018 and each fiscal year
thereafter, subject to the availability of funds.
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