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House bill · H.R. 1870 (119th Congress)

SPEED for BEAD Act

U.S. House of Representatives

Latest action Mar 5, 2025

Sponsor: Richard Hudson (U.S. Representative, NC-9, Republican)

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From Congress.gov and official rosters. This record was last updated Jul 30, 2026. About our data

Summary

Streamlining Program Efficiency and Expanding Deployment for BEAD Act or the SPEED for BEAD Act This bill makes certain changes to the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, including by expanding the broadband technologies that may qualify for funding and prohibiting states from regulating broadband rates in connection with the program. (The BEAD Program is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and provides funding to eligible entities for broadband deployment, connectivity, mapping, and adoption projects. Eligible entities include U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia.) Specifically, the bill establishes that projects using any broadband technology (e.g., satellite, fixed wireless, or fiber) may qualify for funding, provided the technology meets specified performance criteria. (Original BEAD rules established a preference for fiber projects.) The bill also explicitly prohibits eligible entities from regulating, setting, or otherwise mandating pursuant to the BEAD Program (1) rates charged for broadband service, or (2) methodologies used to calculate such rates. The prohibition includes rate regulation carried out in conjunction with the existing requirement that subgrantees offer at least one low-cost broadband service option to certain subscribers. Further, the bill prohibits the NTIA and eligible entities from establishing or enforcing conditions, preferences, or other requirements related to collective bargaining and labor agreements; climate change; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and other topics. The bill also modifies the purposes for which the funds may be used and the treatment of unused funds. Finally, the bill replaces the term Equity in the program’s name with Expansion .

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Assigned to a committee for review.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

House Committee on Energy and Commerce · U.S. House of Representatives

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Cosponsors

22

Cosponsors listed on Congress.gov, shown A to Z.

  • Republican22

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Full history

  1. Mar 5, 2025

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    U.S. House of Representatives

  2. Mar 5, 2025

    Introduced

    Introduced in U.S. House

    U.S. House

  3. Mar 5, 2025

    Referred to committee

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    U.S. House of Representatives

Read the record