Congressional Budget Office

CBO Scores ACCESS BROADBAND Act

ACCESS BROADBAND Act (S 1046) would direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to establish the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth to help communities develop strategies to expand the deployment and use of high-speed Internet services. The office would conduct workshops, develop broadband training, create and distribute publications, consult with other federal agencies that offer broadband support programs to streamline and standardize their applications processes, and develop a central website for information about federal broadband programs.

CBO Scores 5G Spectrum Act

The 5G Spectrum Act of 2019 (S. 2881) would amend existing law regarding the disposition of offsetting receipts from an auction of licenses to use a section of electromagnetic spectrum often called the C-band. Under the bill, the Federal Communications Commission would be authorized to spend, without further appropriation, up to 50 percent of the auction proceeds to compensate current users and another 10 percent for programs that support the deployment of broadband infrastructure in rural areas.

CBO Scores MAPS Act

The MAPS Act (HR 4227) -- passed by the House of Representatives on December 16, 2019 -- would prohibit any person from willfully, knowingly, or recklessly submitting inaccurate information or data related to the geographic coverage of broadband Internet service to the Federal Communications Commission. Violators would be subject to criminal and civil penalties in the same amounts currently imposed on anyone who knowingly provides inaccurate information to the FCC. CBO estimates that it would cost the FCC less than $500,000 to update rules to implement the act.

CBO Scores the US 5G Leadership Act of 2019

The US 5G Leadership Act of 2019 (S 1625) would establish a program, administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to reimburse certain US communications providers for the cost of removing and replacing any equipment made by Chinese companies, other companies subject to extrajudicial direction from a foreign government, or entities deemed to pose a national security risk to the US. Under the bill, recipients of federal funding would be prohibited from using US funds to purchase communications equipment from any of those entities.

CBO Scores the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 219

The Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (HR 4998) would establish a program, administered by the Federal Communications Commission, to reimburse certain US communications providers for the cost of removing and replacing equipment or services made or provided by entities, including certain companies based in China, that are deemed to pose a national security risk. The act would prohibit recipients of FCC subsidies from using those funds to purchase, rent, lease, or otherwise obtain communications equipment or services that could threaten national security.

CBO Scores the Broadband DATA Act

The Broadband DATA Act (HR 4229) would require the Federal Communications Commission to collect detailed data twice a year on the availability of broadband Internet access services. That data would be reported by providers of those broadband services. Under the act, the FCC would establish and maintain a comprehensive database and create detailed and publicly available broadband coverage maps. The act also would require the FCC to develop processes for any person or entity to submit broadband availability data to verify or challenge the FCC’s database or maps.

CBO Scores Network Security Information Sharing Act of 2019

The Network Security Information Sharing Act (HR 4461) would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to mitigate cybersecurity threats to suppliers of telecommunications services and equipment. Under the bill, the DHS would establish a program office to share information with trusted participants in the telecommunications industry about efforts by adversaries to embed malicious software into communications equipment purchased by American companies.

CBO Scores the Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Act

The Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Act (S. 1611) would require the Department of Commerce (DOC) to convene a federal interagency working group to report to the Congress on the Internet of things (IoT). The group would be required to identify laws and regulations that inhibit or promote IoT deployment, examine current and future federal IoT use, and recommend federal IoT security measures. Also under S.

CBO Scores the DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act

The DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act (S 2749) would codify the process through which federal and nonfederal entities request internet domain names specifically for governmental users (i.e. domain names ending in .gov). The bill would transfer the responsibility for overseeing the current process from the General Services Administration (GSA) to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The bill also would permit state and local entities to apply for homeland security grants to help fund the costs of transitioning to those governmental domain names.

CBO Scores the National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security Act

The National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security Act (HR 4782) would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to research how online platforms may be used to facilitate acts of terrorism. On the basis of information from DHS regarding the costs of similar research efforts, CBO estimates implementing that provision would cost $4 million. The bill also would establish a national commission to study how entities have used social media and other online platforms to threaten US national security.

CBO Scores Broadband DATA Act

The Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act (S. 1822) would require the Federal Communications Commission to collect detailed data twice a year on the availability of broadband internet access services. That data would be reported by providers of those broadband services. Under the bill, the FCC would establish and maintain a comprehensive database and create detailed and publicly available broadband coverage maps.

CBO Scores the Secure 5G And Beyond Act

The Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2019 (S. 893) would require the President, acting through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and other federal agencies, to develop and submit to the Congress a strategy to ensure the security of 5G and future generations wireless communications systems and infrastructure owned by the US and its allies. Among various other requirements, the NTIA would have to assess potential security threats to American 5G systems and infrastructure and analyze how competitive American 5G manufacturers and suppliers are globally.

CBO Scores Broadband Interagency Coordination Act

The Broadband Interagency Coordination Act of 2019 (S.1294) would require the Federal Communication Commission, Department of Agriculture, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to enter into an interagency agreement to coordinate how federal funding for the deployment of broadband internet technologies is distributed. The agreement would cover data and information sharing among those agencies.

CBO Scores Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act

The Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act (S.1289) would require the Department of Commerce to submit a report to the Congress assessing the effects of broadband deployment on the U.S. economy. The first report would be due two years after the bill’s enactment, with subsequent reports due every two years. Such reports would consider the effect of e-commerce, peer-to-peer commerce (such as Etsy), and the production of digital media on the U.S. economy.

CBO Scores the Digital Global Access Policy Act

The Digital Global Access Policy Act (HR 1359) would direct the Department of State and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to collaborate with other agencies, international organizations, foreign governments, and other entities to promote the availability of access to the Internet in developing countries. In addition, the bill would require the Administration to report to the Congress on its policy to promote such access.