Us Congress House Bill HB6142

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 11/1/23
• Refer: 11/1/23
• Refer: 11/3/23
• Refer: 3/1/24

Caption

LAST ACRE Act of 2023 Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023

Impact

If enacted, HB6142 would significantly alter the landscape of agriculture and broadband technology in rural areas. The bill mandates the creation of a competitive funding program, where eligible providers can apply for financial assistance to deliver internet connectivity to unserved and underserved agricultural lands. The intent is to support farmers with crucial Internet access that can enhance their use of precision agriculture techniques, ensuring that they can optimize their resources and yield outcomes effectively. This may boost overall agricultural productivity and economic growth in rural areas severely lacking in infrastructure.

Summary

House Bill 6142, known as the 'Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023' or the 'LAST ACRE Act', focuses on improving broadband internet access for agricultural producers in rural areas. The bill proposes the establishment of the Last Acre Program, which aims to enhance precision agriculture connectivity and support the deployment of high-speed internet across the last unserved or underserved acres of agricultural land. By providing grants and loans to covered providers, the program intends to facilitate access to necessary technology for farmers, potentially improving productivity and efficiency in agricultural operations.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for addressing the digital divide in rural communities, there are concerns regarding implementation and accessibility, particularly for limited resource farmers and ranchers defined by specific income thresholds. Critics may argue about the effectiveness of federal expenditure on broadband expansion, the potential for funds to be misallocated, and whether the bill adequately addresses the technological disparities among different regions. The bill's success will depend on the transparent implementation of grant allocations and the efficiency of broadband deployment in reaching the intended beneficiaries.