Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4881, the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act, as amended, to help improve high-speed broadband access for our Nation's farmers.

I represent the largest farm income-producing district in the State of Ohio; therefore, I am fortunate to visit farms across the region and learn about new technologies, like the Internet of Things equipment, that are helping to improve farm productivity and sustainability.

But the unfortunate reality is that lack of high-speed broadband in rural areas, specifically in farm communities, hinders the use of advanced technologies in agriculture operations. That is why I introduced H.R. 4881, along with my friend, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack).

Our bill would require the Federal Communications Commission to establish a task force, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, to review the connectivity and technology needs of precision agriculture in the United States.

I believe by combining minds from these two expert agencies, along with relevant private stakeholders, the task force will be able to offer tangible solutions that will promote rapid, expanded deployment of broadband in unserved areas, creating a pathway for precision agriculture in our rural farmlands.

The true benefits of precision agriculture cannot be realized without the availability of reliable broadband internet access service. For example, with broadband, farmers can use connected tractors and other advanced technologies to collect field data in realtime to help with crop management. This type of technology helps farmers maximize resources, which can reduce costs and increase crop yields by up to 70 percent by 2050, helping to maintain America's long-term leadership in global food production.

Two farming seasons ago, I drove a tractor with GPS capabilities. My mom was raised on a farm in northwest Ohio, and, early on, my grandfather still used a team of horses. My grandfather would be amazed at how straight the furrows I made that day were, thanks to the connected tractor. I never touched the steering wheel. Because of broadband, the connected tractor was able to go down an entire row, without human control, and place fertilizer in furrows within one inch of where those seeds would be planted in the spring. It is technology like this that helps farmers maximize resources and promote environmentally sustainable practices.

My bill will encourage this type of technology by bringing much- needed broadband to rural, agricultural areas.

Not only do I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4881, but I would also like to quote the support of FCC Commissioner Carr. He said:

In my time on the Commission, I have seen firsthand the

difference that broadband connectivity makes for America's

farmers and ranchers.

He goes on to say:

. . . running agriculture operations today requires expertise

in agronomy, technology, and data analytics. Bringing all of

those skills together to improve crop yields and efficiency

increasingly requires a high-speed broadband connection. So I

am pleased to see this bill move forward and hope that it

becomes law.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his handling of the bill today, and I urge support of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 4881, the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018.

Access to broadband internet service is essential for participating in modern American life for both individuals and businesses. Farmers are no different. For them, a reliable, high-speed internet connection has become a necessity for managing their businesses efficiently. Farmers use it to collect realtime data on crops, buy equipment, verify weather forecasts, and check grain and feed prices.

Studies estimate that the use of broadband in precision agriculture can increase crop yields by 70 percent by the year 2050 and significantly reduce operation costs. Yet many people living in this country still do not have reliable high-speed internet service.

The Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018 would help facilitate the deployment of broadband to agricultural land by establishing a task force, led by the Federal Communication Commission in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture. The task force will identify and measure gaps in the availability of broadband on agricultural lands.

It will also develop policy recommendations to promote the rapid expanded deployment of broadband on unserved agricultural lands and promote effective policy and regulatory solutions to encourage the adoption of broadband on farms and ranches.

Moreover, the task force will recommend specific steps that the FCC should take to obtain reliable and standardized data on the availability of broadband and make sure that such data is reflected in future FCC broadband infrastructure programs.

H.R. 4881 is a bipartisan, commonsense bill, and I want to thank the authors, Mr. Loebsack and Mr. Latta, for the very hard work they have put into this measure. I urge my colleagues to support it today.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4881) to require the Federal Communications Commission to establish a task force for meeting the connectivity and technology needs of precision agriculture in the United States, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud, today, to rise in support of H.R. 4881, authored by my colleagues, Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta and Congressman Dave Loebsack.

New and exciting technologies are improving efficiency in nearly every sector of our economy. Rural America should not be left behind.

The bill before us today focuses on the broadband needs of rural economies, our farmers and ranchers, to help take advantage of precision agriculture with improved internet access, GPS, and emerging technologies.

Cutting-edge innovation like the Internet of Things, drones, and self-driving machines can assist in monitoring crops, reading soil, and more. Precision agriculture connects rural communities to the 21st century economy.

This bill is a prime example of how the Energy and Commerce Committee is leading the way to close the digital divide. I thank Mr. Latta and Mr. Loebsack for their good work on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta), the sponsor of the legislation and the distinguished chairman of the Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I hope that everyone supports this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, on July 23, 2018, I was unavoidably detained and missed recorded votes No. 366 through 367. Had I been present: on Roll Call No. 366, H.R. 2345, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act, I would have voted Yea; on Roll Call No. 367, H.R. 4881, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act, I would have voted Yea.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present for the vote yesterday on H.R. 2345, the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act (Roll no. 366), I would have voted ``aye.''

Additionally, had I been present for the vote on H.R. 4881, the Precision Agriculture

Connectivity Act (Roll no. 367), I would have voted ``aye.''