Bill > HR4287

This bill establishes the Broadband Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (BIFIA) program to provide loans, loan guarantees, and lines of credit for the construction and deployment of broadband infrastructure. The key provisions of the bill include: - Establishing eligibility criteria for projects to receive credit assistance, such as creditworthiness standards and dedicated revenue sources to repay the loans. - Authorizing the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to enter into agreements to provide secured loans, loan guarantees, and lines of credit for eligible projects. - Requiring the use of certain federal requirements, such as NEPA review, for projects receiving assistance. - Directing the Assistant Secretary to establish alternative prudential lending standards for small projects and measures to expedite the application process. - Authorizing $5 billion in appropriations for the BIFIA program, with up to 5% for administrative expenses. - Requiring the Assistant Secretary to submit periodic reports to Congress on the performance of the program and the application process. The overall goal of the bill is to provide financing options to facilitate the construction and deployment of broadband infrastructure, particularly in areas where such service is not widely available.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4287/all-info