Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act

Jon Husted

Republican · OH · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-MD)Original· 2026-04-30

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

2026-04-30

Source: Congress.gov

Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report to Congress on the Appalachian Regional Commission’s capability to incorporate satellites in broadband projects. Specifically, the study must review and analyze the capacity and cost-effectiveness of using satellite broadband service for business purposes and economic development.

Plain-English rewrite of the Congressional Research Service summary published on Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4459 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4459 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. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 30, 2026 Mr. Husted (for himself and Ms. Alsobrooks) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL 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 of the United States 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. <all>

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