Federal officials would coordinate broadband programs through national plans

The Assistant Secretary of Commerce would develop and submit a National Strategy to Close the Digital Divide. The strategy would cover federal broadband programs run by the listed covered agencies, including programs that support broadband deployment, access, affordability, or adoption. The Assistant Secretary would consult consumer and public-interest groups, experts, broadband providers, Tribal entities, and state and local agencies. The strategy would identify programs, coordination gaps, agency responsibilities, performance measures, costs, administrative burdens, and possible legislative or administrative solutions. The strategy would be due no later than one year after the Act's enactment.

The Assistant Secretary would develop an implementation plan and then carry out the strategy with regular reports to Congress. The plan would guide the covered agencies' management of federal broadband programs and their coordination, funding data, reporting, public engagement, and infrastructure permitting work. The Assistant Secretary would seek public comment on the plan's development and implementation. The plan would address common data and applications for broadband awards, consistent spending reports, waste and fraud monitoring, and ways to increase participation in affordable broadband programs. The provision would not change the Federal Communications Commission's authority or give another agency power to direct the Commission. The implementation plan would be due within 120 days after the strategy is submitted; a briefing would be due within 21 days after the plan is submitted, and progress briefings would occur within 90 days after implementation begins and at least every 90 days until full implementation.

The Comptroller General would study how well the strategy and implementation plan address the digital divide and submit recommendations. The study would examine the strategy and implementation plan and recommend ways to improve them. The report would be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees. The report would be due no later than one year after the Assistant Secretary submits the implementation plan.