Bill > HR3703

This bill, the Nationwide Dig Once Act of 2021, aims to facilitate the installation of broadband infrastructure by establishing a "dig once" requirement. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Requiring the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations for states that receive federal highway funding to coordinate broadband infrastructure deployment with highway construction projects, including installing broadband conduit unless a broadband provider has committed to do so. 2. Providing guidelines for the installation of broadband conduit, such as accommodating multiple providers, ensuring appropriate conduit size, and providing non-discriminatory access to the installed conduit. 3. Allowing states to waive the conduit installation requirement under certain circumstances, such as if broadband infrastructure already exists or the cost increase is too high. 4. Establishing a task force to estimate the costs of implementing and maintaining a nationwide dig once requirement, propose funding options, and develop a fee schedule for broadband providers to access the installed conduit. The overall goal is to reduce the cost and accelerate the deployment of broadband by minimizing repeated excavations during highway construction projects.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3703/all-info