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Congress·In Committee·12 months ago

House Committee Reviews SPEED for BEAD Act to Strip Union, DEI Rules From Broadband Grants

Also known as: SPEED for BEAD Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Negative Impacts(2)
Housing Assistance
Hurts
Renter
Hurts
Mixed Impacts(1)
Union Member
Neutral
Positive Impacts(2)
Student
Helps
Small Business Owner
Helps

Key Points

  • Renames the federal broadband program by swapping the word “Equity” for “Expansion,” without changing the basic goal of building internet networks.
  • If a state doesn’t use all its broadband grant money by the deadline, the unused money would be moved to the U.S. Treasury’s general fund instead of staying available for broadband.
  • Limits what federal or state officials can require in broadband grant bidding, like rules tied to union labor, local hiring, climate change, certain network practices, or diversity and inclusion.
  • Says states must treat any technology as eligible if it meets the program’s performance standards, rather than steering money toward certain types of networks.
  • Bars states and the federal broadband office from using the grant program to regulate or cap what internet companies charge customers. राज्यों can’t set rates even through grant scoring.
TelecommunicationsInfrastructureLabor EmploymentClimate ChangeConsumer Protection

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 5, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mar 5, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within months after the bill becomes law

States update BEAD grant rules to remove banned bidding and scoring conditions

Grant applications may get simpler, and awards could move faster, but states will have fewer tools to require things like local hiring, union-related standards, climate-related rules, DEI requirements, or open-access requirements.

Starting with the first grant rounds after enactment

New bidding rounds allow providers to carve out the costliest locations from a proposed project area

Some neighborhoods may get connected sooner because projects avoid extreme costs, but certain homes could be pushed into a separate, later process to get service.

Over the next 1–2 years after enactment

More non-fiber options compete for BEAD awards under the “all technologies eligible” rule

Some places may get service faster using fixed wireless or other options that meet the program’s performance standards, but the long-term reliability and upgrade path can vary by technology and provider.

Related News

5 articles
Broadband Breakfast·12 months ago

Rep. Hudson Bows New Bill to Change Key Terms in BEAD Program

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) introduced the SPEED for BEAD Act to eliminate 'unnecessary and expensive regulations' in the $42.5 billion broadband program. The bill seeks to remove labor rules, climate requirements, and DEI goals while ensuring the program is technology-neutral.

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Light Reading·12 months ago

New bill seeks to speed up BEAD – but it could backfire

The SPEED for BEAD Act aims to fast-track rural broadband by swapping 'Equity' for 'Expansion' and removing fiber preferences. While it could benefit satellite providers like Starlink, analysts warn it may force states to revise existing plans, potentially causing further deployment delays.

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Fierce Network·12 months ago

What's new with BEAD? Here's what we know so far

The SPEED for BEAD Act, introduced by Rep. Richard Hudson, seeks to remove requirements related to rate regulation, prevailing wages, climate resilience, and DEI initiatives. It aligns with a broader 'rigorous review' of the program by the Commerce Department to prioritize low-cost outcomes.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

SPEED for BEAD Act

Bill NumberHR 1870
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(22)
R: 22

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.