# Plain Language Summary: SPEED for BEAD Act

This bill makes changes to a federal broadband funding program that was created to help get high-speed internet to underserved areas across the country. The program, called BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment), distributes billions of dollars to states and communities to build broadband networks. This bill essentially streamlines how that money gets spent and removes certain requirements that states and local organizations currently have to follow.

The bill eliminates several conditions that states and organizations must meet when they use BEAD funding. Specifically, it prohibits requirements related to prevailing wages (paying workers union-level salaries), union involvement, local hiring mandates, and diversity programs. It also blocks requirements about climate considerations and network management practices like data caps. Additionally, the bill prevents states from regulating or capping the prices that internet service providers charge customers, even if they wanted to. The bill also removes restrictions on what types of technology can be used—meaning fiber optic cable, wireless, satellite, or other technologies would all be treated equally as long as they deliver the required internet speeds.

On the practical side, the bill makes it easier for companies to participate in the program by removing some of the conditions they'd have to meet. It also allows companies to exclude certain locations from their projects if those locations would be too expensive to serve. However, it includes a deadline for states to spend their allocated funds—if they don't use the money by the deadline, it goes back to the federal government rather than being available for future projects. The bill also narrows what the funding can be used for, focusing primarily on building the actual broadband networks and training telecommunications workers, rather than some of the broader community programs previously allowed.

SPEED for BEAD Act

Hudson, Richard

Streamlining Program Efficiency and Expanding Deployment for BEAD Act or the SPEED for BEAD ActThis bill makes certain changes to the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, including by expanding the broadband technologies that may qualify for funding and prohibiting states from regulating broadband rates in connection with the program. &nbsp;(The BEAD Program is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and provides funding to eligible entities for broadband deployment, connectivity, mapping, and adoption projects. Eligible entities include U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia.)&nbsp;Specifically, the bill establishes that projects using any broadband technology (e.g., satellite, fixed wireless, or fiber) may qualify for funding,&nbsp;provided the technology meets specified performance criteria. (Original BEAD rules established a preference for fiber projects.)The bill also explicitly prohibits eligible entities from regulating, setting, or otherwise mandating pursuant to the BEAD Program (1) rates charged for broadband service, or (2) methodologies used to calculate such rates. The prohibition includes rate regulation carried out in conjunction with the existing requirement that subgrantees offer at least one low-cost broadband service option to certain subscribers. &nbsp;&nbsp;Further, the bill prohibits the NTIA and eligible entities from establishing or enforcing conditions, preferences, or other requirements related to collective bargaining and labor agreements; climate change; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and other topics. The bill also modifies the purposes for which the funds may be used and the treatment of unused funds.&nbsp;Finally, the bill replaces the term Equity in the program’s name with Expansion.