March 25, 2026
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works
To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the capability of the Appalachian Regional Commission to include satellites in broadband projects, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act
.
Sec. 2 GAO study on satellite broadband
(a) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct, and submit to Congress the results thereof, a study on the capability of the Appalachian Regional Commission to incorporate satellites in broadband projects.
(b) Requirements
In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall—
(1)
review the capacity of satellite broadband services to be used for business purposes;
(2)
evaluate economic development growth in areas that have used satellite broadband for businesses; and
(3)
analyze the cost-effectiveness of implementing broadband via satellites for economic development.