H.R. 6920

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6920 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6920

To amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to authorize the 
use of remaining funds under the Broadband Equity, Access, and 
Deployment Program for competitive subgrants to support the success of 
the broadband deployment projects funded by that program, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 23, 2025

Mr. Barr (for himself and Mr. Rogers of Kentucky) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to authorize the 
use of remaining funds under the Broadband Equity, Access, and 
Deployment Program for competitive subgrants to support the success of 
the broadband deployment projects funded by that program, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Supporting U.S. Critical 
Connectivity and Economic Strategy and Security for BEAD Act'' or the 
``SUCCESS for BEAD Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) Grant funds allocated to an eligible entity under 
section 60102 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 
U.S.C. 1702) that remain after the eligible entity's final 
proposal is approved should be used to enhance and sustain the 
success of the broadband deployment projects approved pursuant 
to that proposal.
(2) Strengthening the telecommunication infrastructure of 
the United States, including high-capacity fiber and network 
interconnection, and developing an adequate, targeted workforce 
are essential to deploying and scaling artificial intelligence 
(commonly referred to as ``AI'') technologies, which are 
critical for maintaining United States leadership in emerging 
technologies.
(3) Federal broadband investments to modernize and harden 
the networks of the United States, including the 9-1-1 
networks, are also vital for public safety and national 
security.
(4) The People's Republic of China is investing heavily in 
AI and advanced network infrastructure and workforce training, 
presenting a geopolitical and technological challenge to the 
leadership of the United States that warrants action.

SEC. 3. BEAD SUBGRANTS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, NATIONAL SECURITY, WORKFORCE 
DEVELOPMENT, AND MEANINGFUL USE OF AI-SUPPORTIVE 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE.

(a) In General.--Section 60102 of the Infrastructure Investment and 
Jobs Act (47 U.S.C. 1702) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (I) through (N) 
as subparagraphs (P) through (U), respectively;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (H) as 
subparagraph (N);
(C) by redesignating subparagraph (G) as 
subparagraph (K);
(D) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as 
subparagraphs (H) and (I), respectively;
(E) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (D) 
as subparagraphs (C) through (F), respectively;
(F) by inserting before subparagraph (C), as so 
redesignated, the following:
``(A) 9-1-1 request for emergency assistance.--The 
term `9-1-1 request for emergency assistance' means a 
communication, such as voice, text, picture, 
multimedia, or any other type of data, that is sent to 
an emergency communications center for the purpose of 
requesting emergency assistance.
``(B) Artificial intelligence.--The term 
`artificial intelligence' has the meaning given the 
term in section 5002 of the National Artificial 
Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 
9401).'';
(G) by inserting after subparagraph (F), as so 
redesignated, the following:
``(G) Commonly accepted standards.--The term 
`commonly accepted standards' means the technical 
standards followed by the communications industry for 
network, device, and Internet Protocol connectivity 
that--
``(i) enable interoperability; and
``(ii) are--
``(I) developed and approved by a 
standards development organization that 
is accredited by an American standards 
body (such as the American National 
Standards Institute) or an equivalent 
international standards body in a 
process that--
``(aa) is open for 
participation by any person; 
and
``(bb) provides for a 
conflict resolution process;
``(II) subject to an open comment 
and input process before being 
finalized by the standards development 
organization;
``(III) consensus-based; and
``(IV) made publicly available once 
approved.'';
(H) by inserting after subparagraph (I), as so 
redesignated, the following:
``(J) Emergency communications center.--
``(i) In general.--The term `emergency 
communications center' means--
``(I) a facility that--
``(aa) is designated to 
receive a 9-1-1 request for 
emergency assistance; and
``(bb) performs 1 or more 
of the functions described in 
clause (ii); or
``(II) a public safety answering 
point, as defined in section 222 of the 
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 
222).
``(ii) Functions described.--The functions 
described in this clause are the following:
``(I) Processing and analyzing 9-1-
1 requests for emergency assistance and 
information and data related to such 
requests.
``(II) Dispatching appropriate 
emergency response providers.
``(III) Transferring or exchanging 
9-1-1 requests for emergency assistance 
and information and data related to 
such requests to or with 1 or more 
other emergency communications centers 
or emergency response providers.
``(IV) Analyzing any communications 
received from emergency response 
providers.
``(V) Supporting incident command 
functions.'';
(I) by inserting after subparagraph (K), as so 
redesignated, the following:
``(L) Interoperability.--The term 
`interoperability' means the capability of emergency 
communications centers to receive 9-1-1 requests for 
emergency assistance and information and data related 
to such requests, such as location information and 
callback numbers from a person initiating the request, 
then process and share the 9-1-1 requests for emergency 
assistance and information and data related to such 
requests with other emergency communications centers 
and emergency response providers without the need for 
proprietary interfaces and regardless of jurisdiction, 
equipment, device, software, service provider, or other 
relevant factors.
``(M) Internet exchange point.--The term `internet 
exchange point' means a physical building and related 
infrastructure that--
``(i) enables internet service providers, 
transport networks, mobile networks, content 
delivery networks, artificial intelligence 
systems, and other network operators to 
directly interconnect and exchange data traffic 
among their networks;
``(ii) provides neutral, nondiscriminatory 
access to all network operators in good 
standing under published and reasonable rates 
and terms with no requirement for the purchase 
of network services as a condition of access; 
and
``(iii) provides access to a shared 
internet exchange (commonly known as an `IX') 
switching fabric that enables participating 
networks to establish Border Gateway Protocol 
sessions, whether directly between participants 
or through a shared route server.''; and
(J) by inserting after subparagraph (N), as so 
redesignated, the following:
``(O) Next generation 9-1-1.--The term `Next 
Generation 9-1-1' means an Internet Protocol-based 
system that--
``(i) ensures interoperability;
``(ii) is secure;
``(iii) employs commonly accepted 
standards;
``(iv) enables emergency communications 
centers to receive, process, and analyze all 
types of 9-1-1 requests for emergency 
assistance;
``(v) acquires and integrates additional 
information useful to handling 9-1-1 requests 
for emergency assistance; and
``(vi) supports sharing information related 
to 9-1-1 requests for emergency assistance 
among emergency communications centers and 
emergency response providers.'';
(2) in subsection (c)(5)(C)--
(A) by striking clause (ii);
(B) by striking ``Reallocation to other eligible 
entities.--'' and all that follows through ``The 
Assistant Secretary'' and inserting ``Reallocation to 
other eligible entities due to application failures.--
The Assistant Secretary'';
(C) by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as 
clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and adjusting the 
margins accordingly; and
(D) in clause (ii), as so redesignated, by striking 
``subclause (I) of this clause'' and inserting ``clause 
(i) of this subparagraph'';
(3) in subsection (e)(4)(A)(i), in the matter preceding 
subclause (I), by striking ``approvals'' and inserting 
``approves''; and
(4) in subsection (f)--
(A) by striking paragraphs (3) through (6);
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and adjusting 
the margins accordingly;
(C) in subparagraph (A), as so redesignated, by 
adding ``and'' at the end;
(D) in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, by 
striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a 
period;
(E) by striking ``An eligible entity may use grant 
funds received under this section to competitively 
award subgrants for--'' and inserting the following:
``(1) Permissible uses.--An eligible entity may use grant 
funds received under this section to competitively award 
subgrants for--''; and
(F) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Use of remaining amounts for projects relating to ai-
supportive telecommunications infrastructure, workforce 
development, public safety, and national security.--
``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
``(i) Eligible project.--The term `eligible 
project' means a project for--
``(I) the construction of --
``(aa) lit or dark fiber 
that is to be made available on 
a wholesale basis;
``(bb) conduit systems, 
manholes, in-line amplifier 
facilities, and related 
infrastructure;
``(cc) carrier-neutral 
internet exchange points;
``(dd) mobile wireless 
communications infrastructure;
``(ee) facilities that 
house workforce development 
programs narrowly targeted to 
address worker shortages in the 
telecommunications, 
cybersecurity, artificial 
intelligence, and electrical 
distribution sectors, to the 
extent such programs promote or 
facilitate the deployment of 
broadband infrastructure;
``(ff) submarine cable 
systems;
``(gg) carrier-neutral 
submarine cable landing 
stations;
``(hh) mobile wireless 
communications infrastructure 
on educational facilities, 
including those on Tribal 
lands, that increases coverage, 
capacity, resiliency, or 
security capabilities of 
connectivity for public safety 
purposes; or
``(ii) a combination of 
infrastructure described in any 
of items (aa) through (hh);
``(II) the planning and 
implementation of workforce development 
programs narrowly targeted to address 
worker shortages in the 
telecommunications, artificial 
intelligence, and electrical 
distribution sectors, to the extent 
such programs promote or facilitate the 
deployment or meaningful use of 
broadband infrastructure;
``(III) the planning, 
implementation, or maintenance of Next 
Generation 9-1-1 in emergency 
communications centers;
``(IV) data collection, mapping, 
and planning;
``(V) resources for tools, 
personnel, systems, training, or 
technical assistance to accelerate, 
streamline, or improve the efficiency 
of permitting processes necessary for 
broadband deployment; and
``(VI) any use determined necessary 
by the Assistant Secretary to 
facilitate the goals of the Program.
``(ii) Remaining amounts.--The term 
`remaining amounts', with respect to the 
allocations to an eligible entity under 
subsection (c), means any amounts remaining 
from those allocations upon approval of the 
eligible entity's final proposal under 
subsection (e)(4).
``(B) Use of remaining amounts.--
``(i) Subgrant program.--Notwithstanding 
any other provision of this section, an 
eligible entity shall use all remaining amounts 
to establish a competitive subgrant program to 
support 1 or more eligible projects.
``(ii) Noncompetitive subgrants to 
workforce development boards.--If an eligible 
entity wishing to support an eligible project 
described in subparagraph (A)(i)(II) (relating 
to workforce development programs) has a 
workforce development board, the eligible 
entity may satisfy clause (i) of this 
subparagraph by awarding a subgrant to the 
workforce development board without conducting 
a competitive subgrant program.
``(C) Prohibited use of funds.--A subgrant awarded 
under subparagraph (B) may not be used for the 
construction, operation, or expansion of a data center 
that has the primary purpose of processing and storing 
digital information.
``(D) Priority.--In awarding subgrants under 
subparagraph (B), an eligible entity shall prioritize 
proposals that--
``(i) develop infrastructure described in 
subparagraph (A) in 1 or more regions that are 
unserved or underserved by such infrastructure, 
including on Tribal lands;
``(ii) are strategically critical for 
public safety, national security, or economic 
development;
``(iii) produce a qualified workforce to 
support the telecommunications, cybersecurity, 
artificial intelligence, and electrical 
distribution sectors, to the extent such 
proposals promote or facilitate the deployment 
or meaningful use of broadband infrastructure;
``(iv) directly support enhanced 
connectivity to, or network capabilities of, 
military installations, national laboratories, 
or other relevant Federal facilities, including 
facilities of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration;
``(v) advance the cybersecurity or 
meaningful use of projects for which such 
subgrants are awarded;
``(vi) support direct network 
interconnection between edge artificial 
intelligence data centers and local networks, 
including internet service providers, mobile 
networks, and research and education networks;
``(vii) enhance the network capacity, 
resiliency, hardening, or geographic reach of 
telecommunications backbone infrastructure; and
``(viii) accomplish 2 or more of the 
objectives described in clauses (i) through 
(vii).
``(E) Limited operational expenses.--A subgrant 
awarded under subparagraph (B) may include funding for 
reasonable projected operations and maintenance 
expenses for a period of 24 months after completion of 
the project, not to exceed 15 percent of the amount of 
the subgrant.
``(F) Matching requirement.--
``(i) Amount.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of this section, in awarding 
subgrants under subparagraph (B), other than a 
subgrant awarded for an eligible activity 
described in subparagraph (A)(i)(III), an 
eligible entity shall require a subgrantee to 
provide a contribution of not less than 25 
percent of project costs.
``(ii) Waiver.--Upon request by a 
subgrantee, an eligible entity may reduce or 
waive the required matching contribution under 
clause (i).
``(iii) Source of match.--A matching 
contribution under clause (i) may include in-
kind contributions made by a subgrantee or a 
third-party entity.
``(G) Interstate projects.--Two or more eligible 
entities may execute memoranda of agreement between or 
among one another to facilitate subgrant awards under 
subparagraph (B) for eligible projects that span 2 or 
more eligible entities.
``(H) Challenge process for eligible fiber 
infrastructure projects.--
``(i) In general.--A subgrant awarded by an 
eligible entity under subparagraph (B) for the 
construction of lit or dark fiber that is to be 
made available on a wholesale basis, as 
described in subparagraph (A)(i)(I), shall be 
subject to a mandatory public challenge process 
administered by the eligible entity.
``(ii) Public notice and challenge 
window.--Before awarding a subgrant described 
in clause (i), an eligible entity shall--
``(I) make the proposed project 
routes and other relevant attributes 
available on a publicly accessible 
website maintained by the eligible 
entity for a period of not less than 14 
days (in this subparagraph referred to 
as the `public notice and challenge 
window'); and
``(II) allow for the submission of 
challenges during the public notice and 
challenge window on the grounds that 
the proposed project constitutes 
overbuilding.
``(iii) Criteria for valid challenges.--A 
proposed project described in clause (i) may 
only be challenged under clause (ii)(II) if the 
challenger demonstrates that--
``(I) a substantially similar fiber 
route already exists between defined 
locations;
``(II) the existing fiber route is 
available to wholesale customers on 
comparable terms and conditions, 
including price, capacity, and service 
level agreements;
``(III) the existing infrastructure 
meets the same intended use as the 
proposed project, including latency, 
resiliency, and interconnection 
capabilities; and
``(IV) the proposed project does 
not substantially improve resilient, 
redundant, or alternative connection 
paths.
``(iv) Determination.--
``(I) In general.--Upon receipt of 
a timely challenge under clause 
(ii)(II), an eligible entity shall 
conduct a review and issue a final 
determination as to the validity of the 
challenge not later than 30 days after 
the close of the public notice and 
challenge window.
``(II) Factors for determination.--
An eligible entity shall base a final 
determination under subclause (I) on a 
holistic review of route similarity, 
capacity, availability, service 
offerings, pricing, and strategic 
justification.
``(v) Transparency required.--An eligible 
entity shall publish a summary of each 
challenge received under clause (ii)(II) and 
the corresponding final determination issued 
under clause (iv)(I), including the rationale 
for any decision to uphold or reject the 
challenge.
``(vi) Limitation.--The existence of any 
fiber route that is not made available on 
reasonable wholesale terms, or that does not 
meet the intended purpose or technical 
performance of the proposed project, shall not 
be grounds for a valid challenge under clause 
(ii)(II).
``(I) Rule of construction regarding next 
generation 9-1-1.--Nothing in this paragraph, including 
the authority to use remaining amounts for the 
planning, implementation, or maintenance of Next 
Generation 9-1-1 in emergency communications centers as 
described in subparagraph (A)(i)(III), shall be 
construed to expand or otherwise modify the definition 
of the term `originating service provider' in section 
9.28 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any 
successor regulation).
``(J) Rule of construction regarding unspent 
funds.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
limit or prevent an eligible entity from returning to 
the Treasury any amounts allocated to the eligible 
entity under subsection (c) that are not spent.''.
(b) Waiver on Build America, Buy America.--Section 60102(i) of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 U.S.C. 1702(i)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Assistant Secretary'' and inserting 
the following:
``(1) Authority to issue regulations.--The Assistant 
Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Applicability of build america buy america act 
waiver.--The notice of final waiver issued by the Assistant 
Secretary, titled `Limited General Applicability 
Nonavailability Waiver of the Buy America Domestic Content 
Procurement Preference as Applied to Recipients of Broadband 
Equity, Access, and Deployment Program', effective on February 
22, 2024, may not be revised or rescinded.''.
(c) Guidance to Eligible Entities.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Communications and Information shall issue any guidance 
necessary to implement the amendments made by subsection (a), 
consistent with the purposes of this Act.
(2) Coordination with secretary of labor.--In the case of 
guidance described in paragraph (1) that pertains to workforce 
development programs, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Communications and Information shall develop the guidance in 
coordination with the Secretary of Labor.
(3) Application of uniform guidance.--The guidance issued 
under paragraph (1) shall incorporate and apply, to the maximum 
extent practicable, the requirements of part 200 of title 2, 
Code of Federal Regulations (commonly referred to as the 
``Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and 
Audit Requirements for Federal Awards'').
(d) Coordination of Projects Relating to the Planning, 
Implementation, or Maintenance of Next Generation 9-1-1.--Paragraph (2) 
of section 60102(f) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 
U.S.C. 1702(f)), as amended by subsection (a), is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
``(K) Coordination of projects relating to the 
planning, implementation, or maintenance of next 
generation 9-1-1.--
``(i) Duties of assistant secretary with 
respect to next generation 9-1-1.--The 
Assistant Secretary, acting through the 
Associate Administrator for Public Safety 
Communications, shall--
``(I) take actions, in coordination 
with State points of contact described 
in clause (ii)(II) as applicable, to 
improve coordination and communication 
with respect to the implementation of 
Next Generation 9-1-1;
``(II) develop, collect, and 
disseminate information concerning the 
practices, procedures, and technology 
used in the implementation of Next 
Generation 9-1-1;
``(III) advise and assist eligible 
entities in the preparation of 
certifications required under clause 
(ii);
``(IV) provide technical assistance 
to eligible entities that choose to use 
remaining amounts in support of efforts 
to explore efficiencies related to Next 
Generation 9-1-1;
``(V) review and approve or 
disapprove the proposed use of 
remaining amounts for eligible projects 
described in subparagraph (A)(i)(III); 
and
``(VI) oversee the use of subgrants 
awarded under subparagraph (B) for 
eligible projects described in 
subparagraph (A)(i)(III).
``(ii) Coordination required.--To the 
extent that an eligible entity proposes to use 
remaining amounts for the planning, 
implementation, or maintenance of Next 
Generation 9-1-1 in emergency communications 
centers as described in subparagraph 
(A)(i)(III), the eligible entity shall submit 
to the Assistant Secretary a certification that 
the eligible entity--
``(I) has coordinated the proposed 
use with each emergency communications 
center located within the jurisdiction 
of the eligible entity;
``(II) has designated a single 
officer or governmental body to serve 
as the point of contact to coordinate 
the implementation of Next Generation 
9-1-1 for that eligible entity, except 
that such designation need not vest 
such officer or governmental body with 
direct legal authority to implement 
Next Generation 9-1-1 or to manage 
emergency communications operations; 
and
``(III) has developed a plan for 
the coordination and implementation of 
Next Generation 9-1-1 that--
``(aa) ensures 
interoperability by requiring 
the use of commonly accepted 
standards;
``(bb) ensures reliability;
``(cc) enables emergency 
communications centers to 
process, analyze, and store 
multimedia, data, and other 
information;
``(dd) incorporates 
cybersecurity tools, including 
intrusion detection and 
prevention measures;
``(ee) includes strategies 
for coordinating cybersecurity 
information sharing between 
Federal, State, Tribal, and 
local government partners;
``(ff) uses open and 
competitive request for 
proposal processes, including 
through shared government 
procurement vehicles, for 
deployment of Next Generation 
9-1-1;
``(gg) documents how input 
was received and accounted for 
from relevant rural and urban 
emergency communications 
centers, regional authorities, 
local authorities, and Tribal 
authorities;
``(hh) includes 1 or more 
governance bodies, either by 
creation of 1 or more new, or 
use of 1 or more existing, 
bodies, for the deployment of 
Next Generation 9-1-1 that 
ensures full notice and 
opportunity for participation 
by relevant stakeholders;
``(ii) creates efficiencies 
related to Next Generation 9-1-
1 functions, including 
cybersecurity and the 
virtualization and sharing of 
infrastructure, equipment, and 
services; and
``(jj) utilizes an 
effective, competitive approach 
to establishing authentication, 
credentialing, secure 
connections, and access in 
deploying Next Generation 9-1-
1, including by--

``(AA) requiring 
certificate authorities 
to be capable of cross-
certification with 
other authorities;

``(BB) avoiding 
risk of a single point 
of failure or 
vulnerability; and

``(CC) adhering to 
Federal agency best 
practices such as those 
promulgated by the 
National Institute of 
Standards and 
Technology.''.

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