National Conference of State Legislatures

While the internet has become an essential part of many Americans’ daily lives, some people in rural and underserved communities still lack access to high-speed broadband and the digital skills necessary to use it. Historic investments such as the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program present opportunities for states to move closer to universal connectivity.

Broadband policy can be a complex subject, but it is essential for households and businesses to participate in the modern economy. Both directly and indirectly, lawmakers are routinely engaged in broadband issues given its ever-increasing intersection with economic development, health care, agriculture and education. States have a long track record with driving broadband policy, and in recent years several states have passed broadband legislation to take full advantage of the latest federal investments in broadband infrastructure.

The Federal Communications Commission's Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's (BDAC) membership -- and, therefore, the recommendations and discussion drafts currently under consideration -- do not reflect balanced viewpoints between industry and state and local interests. Previous efforts to meaningfully engage state and local members have been ignored or actively discouraged.