Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act This bill reauthorizes and makes other changes to various programs of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) that support broadband internet expansion in rural areas. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 and modifies a program that provides grants, loans, and loan guarantees for broadband expansion. Modifications include revising the criteria used to prioritize applications and projects and changing the name of the program to the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program. Further, the bill terminates on June 30, 2022, a separate USDA pilot program that supports broadband expansion in rural areas; any program funds that remain available after that date shall be used for the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2030 programs that support (1) rural broadband access, including for economically challenged communities; and (2) innovative technologies to decrease broadband deployment costs and increase broadband speeds. It also increases the authorization of appropriations for grants, loans, and other assistance to expand middle mile broadband infrastructure (i.e., connections between national and …