Nebraskans in Congress seek clarity on broadband funds not used by Pillen plan

We urge the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to clarify that precision agriculture connectivity constitutes an eligible use of remaining Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment non-deployment funds. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law defines eligible locations and permissible activities in ways that encompass broadband needed for agricultural operations on farmland and ranchland. The statute directs funding toward areas lacking service “capable of supporting real-time, interactive applications” and emphasizes connectivity that enables “economic development” and “modern digital applications." For these reasons, we respectfully request that NTIA: 

1. Clarify whether states may direct unobligated BEAD funds toward connectivity that enables precision agriculture applications, including deployment extensions beyond residential structures to operational acreage;
2. Affirm that precision-ag connectivity falls within BIL-authorized activities supporting broadband adoption, economic development, and advanced digital applications;
3. Provide guidance for states on documenting and approving such uses, especially in areas where household-level broadband availability maps do not capture agricultural operational needs, and including where the challenge process in the LAST ACRE Act may provide a viable alternative; and
4. Outline the process by which any remaining BEAD funds should be applied or reallocated, consistent with BIL statutory requirements and Congressional intent.