Ernst, Baldwin Lead Bill to Expand Internet Access in Rural Communities

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand broadband access in rural America by cutting unnecessary red tape for the small telecommunications providers that keep rural communities connected. “Reliable broadband is essential for Iowa families, farmers, students, and small businesses,” said Senator Ernst . “I'm proud to partner with Senator Baldwin to cut unnecessary red tape through our bipartisan ACCESS Rural America Act so small, rural broadband providers can spend less time on paperwork and more time connecting rural America.” “Wisconsinites in every corner of our state depend on reliable, high-speed internet to run their businesses, attend school, manage their farms, and so much more,” said Senator Baldwin . “Unfortunately, burdensome regulations intended for much larger companies are hurting our small broadband providers and limiting their ability to reach more people. My bipartisan bill cuts through that red tape and helps our local providers expand access to high speed, affordable internet for families and businesses across Wisconsin.” The Access to Capital Creates Economic Strength and Supports (ACCESS) Rural America Act would allow eligible rural telecom providers to file streamlined financial reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), reducing costly regulatory burdens. Many of these providers are the only source of broadband, phone, and cable service in their areas, and this commonsense reform will help them focus on expanding reliable service instead of complying with unnecessary paperwork. The bill is supported by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and Premier Communications in Sioux Center, Iowa. “Federal Securities and Exchange Commission registration and reporting requirements intended for larger, publicly-traded firms pose significant challenges for, and can impose substantial burdens on, smaller, locally-owned companies with limited resources. NTCA therefore greatly appreciates the leadership of Senators Baldwin and Ernst in introducing the ACCESS Rural America Act , which will help relieve these burdens and enable small providers to focus more on their core mission of deploying and operating advanced broadband networks in rural areas,” said Mike Romano, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association . “On behalf of the northwest Iowa communities we serve, we thank Senator Ernst for her continued leadership on the ACCESS Rural America Act . Without this relief, rural providers like Premier face the prospect of costly, burdensome SEC reporting requirements that were designed for large, publicly traded corporations, not community-based companies like Premier. This legislation lets us keep our focus where it belongs: building, expanding, and upgrading fiber broadband to the families, farms, and small businesses who depend on us. We're grateful for Senator Ernst's persistence on this issue and urge Congress to get it across the finish line,” said Ryan Boone, Chief Executive Officer of Premier Communications in Sioux Center, Iowa . Read the bill here . ###