Prioritizing Rural Broadband Affordability Act

The Prioritizing Rural Broadband Affordability Act aims to change how the federal government identifies rural communities that need help with high-speed internet access. Currently, many federal grant programs focus primarily on whether a physical connection exists in a specific area. This bill would amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to also consider the affordability of broadband service when determining if a household or a service territory is "unserved."

If enacted, this legislation could expand eligibility for federal funding to include rural areas where internet service is technically available but too expensive for most residents to afford. By redefining "unserved" to include financial barriers, the bill proposes to prioritize government resources for communities where high costs prevent citizens from participating in the digital economy. These changes would take effect one year after the bill is signed into law.