U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) is one of 30 Republican original cosponsors of the Gigabit Opportunity (GO) Act, which would expand broadband access to underserved areas across America, where at least 19 million people remain without access to any form of reliable broadband service.
“I represent a fairly diverse district across central and southwestern Illinois that includes both urban and rural communities, and many of them still do not have access to high-speed broadband, which is becoming increasingly important to daily life,” said Rep. Davis. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce the GO Act so we can ensure that these communities have an equal shot at participating in the 21st century economy via high-speed broadband.”
H.R. 3377, which Rep. Davis introduced on May 20 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) and fellow cosponsors including U.S. Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Mike Bost (R-IL), and David Valadao (R-CA), would encourage private investment in broadband service through targeted tax incentives in specific areas that still lack access, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Davis’ office.
If enacted, the legislation would incentivize states to designate low-income areas that lack fixed wireless broadband service at certain speeds as Gigabit Opportunity Zones, which would be eligible if they face obstacles to economic development due to a lack of broadband coverage or speed or require access to high-speed broadband for commercial purposes, the bill summary says.
“The need for fast, affordable, and reliable broadband has never been more apparent than over this past year,” Rep. Bost said. “I’m proud to support the GO Act to help bridge the digital divide and bring much needed internet access to rural areas across the country, including southern Illinois.”
According to Rep. Davis’ bill summary, the Federal Communications Commission would first publish a Uniform Model Broadband Deployment Act containing guidelines for state governments on how to set up and maintain Gigabit Opportunity Zones. Broadband providers would receive deferrals, reductions or exemptions from taxes on capital gains invested in property used to provide service in these zones and broadband deployment projects in Gigabit Opportunity Zones would be eligible for private activity bonds, the summary says.
H.R. 3377 has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.