119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 3280
The Rural Broadband Modernization Act would expand high-speed internet access to underserved rural communities by establishing a federal grant, loan, and loan guarantee program under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. The bill authorizes up to $500 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to fund broadband infrastructure projects, with grants covering up to 75 percent of costs (100 percent in extremely sparse areas) and flexible loans available at rates as low as 4 percent with terms up to 35 years. Projects must achieve a minimum speed of 100 Mbps for symmetrical download and upload service and be completed within five years, prioritizing unserved communities currently lacking basic broadband access of 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. Funding is allocated to states based on the proportion of small communities with 2,500 or fewer residents, ensuring rural areas nationwide benefit from the program. This legislation primarily affects rural broadband providers, state agencies, and rural communities lacking adequate internet infrastructure.