This Act mandates modernization, data review, and a GAO study to ensure the Broadband Funding Map accurately prevents overbuilding and efficiently allocates federal internet expansion dollars.
Deb Fischer
Senator
NE
The MAP for Broadband Funding Act aims to modernize and improve the accuracy of the federal Broadband Funding Map to prevent wasteful spending on overbuilding existing networks. It requires the FCC to review the map's functionality, data quality, and transparency in coordination with the NTIA. Additionally, the bill mandates a GAO study to assess how well federal agencies are submitting required data and how improved coordination could save taxpayer money.
MAP Act Mandates FCC Review of Broadband Funding Data to Stop Double-Dipping
The Modernization, Accountability, and Planning for Broadband Funding Act (MAP Act) is essentially a federal attempt to stop throwing good money after bad. It targets the massive amount of federal cash flowing into internet expansion by trying to fix the system that tracks where the money goes: the Broadband Funding Map.
The Problem: Overbuilding and Wasted Dollars
When Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, it allocated billions for broadband. But if the government doesn't have a clear, real-time map of where those funds are being spent, different agencies—like the Department of Agriculture, NTIA, and others—might accidentally fund two different companies to build fiber optic cable down the exact same road. That’s called ‘overbuilding,’ and it’s a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars. This bill aims to fix that by forcing better data sharing.
Mandating Data Cleanup and Efficiency
The MAP Act requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to stop dragging their feet and immediately start consolidating all the broadband funding data submitted by various federal agencies. Think of it like demanding every department finally sync their spreadsheets into one master file. The goal is simple: ensure federal dollars are spent efficiently, referencing the existing data collection requirements under section 60105(d) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Within 270 days of enactment, the FCC must kick off a formal review—a Notice of Inquiry—to figure out the “best way” for the Broadband Funding Map to function and how transparent it should be. They have to look at the quality of the data they’re getting, whether the public can actually use the map, and if they need to demand even more data from funding agencies (Section 3). For a small internet service provider trying to decide if they should apply for a grant to serve a remote area, having an accurate map means they won't waste time on a region that’s already been funded by another federal program.
Putting Federal Agencies on Notice
Perhaps the most important part for accountability is the Government Accountability Office (GAO) study. No later than 180 days after the bill becomes law, the GAO must start investigating how well federal agencies are actually complying with the rules to submit their funding data to the map (Section 4). The GAO will be looking for agencies that are doing a good job and, more importantly, calling out those that are causing bottlenecks or submitting incomplete information. They must also assess whether the FCC has enough authority to actually force agencies to hand over the data they need.
This isn't just bureaucratic housekeeping; it's about making sure that the promise of universal broadband actually materializes. If the map is incomplete, funds are misdirected, and the people who truly lack internet access—like rural families or small businesses waiting for reliable connectivity—continue to wait while federal money is wasted on areas already served. The MAP Act is a procedural fix designed to ensure that the billions dedicated to closing the digital divide actually hit their mark, reducing the risk of redundant spending for taxpayers.