Kentuckiana Times

Congresswoman Erin Houchin, who represents Indiana’s 9th District in the U.S. Congress, has introduced the Data Broadband Reporting and Integration for Deployment in Geographically Essential Areas (Data BRIDGE) Act. The bipartisan bill aims to ensure that rural and agricultural lands are accurately reflected on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Map by incorporating cultivated land data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This change is intended to help direct federal broadband funding more effectively to areas where it is needed for agricultural production.

Houchin said, “Indiana’s Ninth District is rich in agriculture, and our farmers depend on reliable broadband to stay competitive in a modern economy. The Data BRIDGE Act is a commonsense, low-cost solution that ensures federal broadband investments actually reach the areas where work happens. I have fought for years to expand rural broadband in Indiana, and this bill is another important step toward closing the connectivity gap for our farm families and rural communities.”

The current FCC broadband map focuses mainly on homes and businesses but often omits cropland and other production acreage used by farmers. This can lead to undercounting which affects funding decisions and limits the deployment of high-speed internet necessary for precision agriculture technology.

Rep. GT Thompson (R-PA), Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, stated, “American agriculture has become the envy of the world because we have embraced science, technology, and an appetite for innovation. I support the Data BRIDGE Act because this simple, no-cost fix will help support the rising demand for precision agriculture and ensure that rural and agricultural areas are accurately represented when it comes to federal broadband funding decisions.”

Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) commented, “If a D.C. bureaucrat misses a field on the broadband map, Iowa farmers pay the price. The Data BRIDGE Act is a no-cost, commonsense fix that makes sure agricultural land data isn't overlooked. By putting real data into the FCC’s system, we are making broadband maps work for the whole farm, so federal dollars don’t stop at the porch, they reach the tractor in the field.”

Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) added: “Everyone deserves to have broadband access — no matter where they live. My district includes 4,500 farms — a vast majority of them family-owned — and they need internet and connectivity for better operations across their land. By improving the National Broadband Map to include accurate agricultural areas, we can successfully close gaps in broadband issues.”

Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-IL) said: “Access to fast and reliable internet isn't a luxury – it's a necessity for Americans across the country to stay competitive in our fast-moving world. For too long, farmers and rural communities have been left out of the race to connect our country with high-speed internet despite its importance to modern farming practices. The USDA and the FCC already have the tools at their disposal to ensure no one is overlooked, so now is the time for them to join forces by integrating cultivated land data into the National Broadband Map to bring more communities online.”

Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), chairman of the Modern Agriculture Caucus said: “Broadband access is becoming increasingly crucial for agriculture producers as applications for greater productivity and resource management multiply. As chairman of the recently formed Modern Agriculture Caucus, I am glad to work with Rep. Houchin, who serves the caucus as Vice Chair of Precision Agriculture, to promote accurate representation on the FCC’s National Broadband Map for farmers and ranchers in underserved areas through this bill.”

Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) noted: “I am proud to support this bipartisan effort to ensure rural communities are accurately represented in broadband maps, including areas in my district such as East Orange and South Osceola Counties. With funds from the American Rescue Plan and Infrastructure Law, we’ve worked to expand broadband access and bring high-speed internet. Now, as we work to further bridge the digital divide, this will help us accurately target federal funds to help those who need it most.”

Rep Jim Costa (D-CA) said: “Too many farms and rural areas are left off the map, and that means they’re left out of critical broadband funding. This bill changes that at no cost, so we can bring reliable internet to the communities that feed America.”

CostQuest stated: “Precision broadband-based agriculture is critical for today’s farmers to thrive in a competitive economy. Reliable point-level broadband data is essential for economic development in rural areas and farmlands. The Data BRIDGE Act promotes strategic, targeted, and data-based investments in rural areas to ensure broadband is readily available to our nation’s farmers who are navigating an everchanging agricultural landscape.”

Kip Eideberg from AEM commented: “Equipment manufacturers applaud Representatives Houchin, Kelly, Nunn, Sorensen, and Costa for introducing critical legislation to improve broadband mapping in agricultural communities... With greater access to dependable broadband... AEM is proud to support this commonsense bipartisan effort...”

The proposed legislation builds upon previous efforts such as https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1822/text[the bipartisan Broadband DATA Act], which improved mapping standards but did not specifically address coverage of farmland or cropland.

Erin Houchin has served Indiana's 9th District since 2023 after previously serving eight years in https://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_republicans/2381.htm[the Indiana Senate]. She was born in Salem https://www.house.gov/houchin[and continues]https://www.house.gov/houchin[to reside there].

The Data BRIDGE Act directs existing agencies like USDA—which already collects cultivated land information—to share these details with FCC mapping systems without new costs or mandates.