H.R.1579 - Broadband Buildout Accountability Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1579, the Broadband Buildout Accountability Act, aims to amend Section 60102(o)(2) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The amendment would make the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) applicable to the actions and decisions of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information related to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This bill seeks to increase transparency and accountability in the BEAD program's implementation.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to subject the decisions and actions of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information regarding the BEAD program to public scrutiny through FOIA requests. This would allow citizens and organizations to request and obtain information about how the program is being administered and how funds are being allocated. Ultimately, this could lead to greater oversight and potentially more efficient and equitable distribution of broadband resources.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in the allocation of broadband funds.
- Greater accountability for the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.
- Potential for more informed public discourse on broadband deployment strategies.
- Opportunity for identifying and correcting inefficiencies or inequities in the BEAD program.
- Empowers citizens and organizations to oversee government spending and decision-making.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden on the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to respond to FOIA requests.
- Potential delays in broadband deployment due to the time required to process FOIA requests.
- Risk of exposing sensitive information that could compromise competitive advantages of broadband providers.
- Possible misuse of FOIA requests to harass or obstruct the BEAD program.
- Costs associated with processing FOIA requests could divert resources from broadband deployment.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the spirit of the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech and the press, by promoting government transparency. By making information about the BEAD program accessible to the public, the bill enables citizens to be more informed and hold their government accountable. This aligns with the principles of open government and citizen oversight, which are essential for a functioning democracy. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any other constitutional rights or provisions.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).