Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act

This bill changes a Department of Agriculture program that helps bring internet service to rural areas by giving it new rules and priorities. One key change is that projects bringing broadband internet to small, rural maritime ports and nearby shore facilities would get higher priority for funding. The bill also adjusts how much grant money is available, changes the requirements for which communities can qualify for loans, and requires anyone who receives funding to share location data about the new or improved internet service with the Department of Agriculture. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture would need to verify that communities getting top-priority projects truly lack broadband service, respond to applicants in a timely way, and use some program funds to make sure the money is being spent properly.

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