BOOST Act Broadening Online Opportunities through Simple Technologies Act
Impact
This legislation targets individuals residing in 'unserved areas', as defined by eligibility criteria set out by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The intent is to ensure residents in these areas can afford necessary technologies to enhance their internet connectivity, thereby pursuing economic and educational opportunities that are increasingly reliant on broadband access. Additionally, this credit, set to expire after December 31, 2027, signifies a temporal boost to infrastructure that many areas currently lack, promoting equitable access to information technology and reducing the digital divide.
Summary
House Bill 6554, referred to as the Broadening Online Opportunities through Simple Technologies Act (or BOOST Act), proposes amendments to the Internal Revenue Code to provide a refundable tax credit for the purchase of communications signal boosters in areas deemed to have inadequate broadband internet access. The bill aims to strengthen the capacity of individuals living in these underserved regions by allowing them to offset a portion of their expenditures on signal boosting equipment. Specifically, the bill provides a tax credit amounting to 75% of qualified signal booster expenditures, not exceeding $400 per taxable year, for individuals choosing to apply for this credit.
Contention
While the bill's intent is broadly supported, concerns may arise regarding the adequacy of the definition of qualified signal boosters and the oversight of the implementation of the credit. The bill indicates involvement from the Secretary of the Treasury and the FCC to implement rules concerning the reporting of sales within unserviced areas, indicating an intention to regulate and monitor compliance. Critics may argue that this could limit flexibility in local choices depending on how the regulations are crafted, emphasizing the need for community involvement in addressing communication deficiencies.