Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act
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The bill would require the Federal Communications Commission to review its satellite rules for fixed, mobile, and earth exploration satellite services to determine whether changes could promote precision agriculture, such as GPS-guided farming and drone-based crop monitoring.
It would direct the agency to report its findings and any recommended rule changes to Congress within 15 months, aiming to expand broadband connectivity on farmland without itself changing any rules.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would require the Federal Communications Commission to review its existing rules governing fixed satellite service, mobile satellite service, and earth exploration satellite service to identify whether changes within its current authority could promote precision agriculture — farming practices that use GPS, satellite connectivity, and drones to improve crop management. If the Commission identifies possible changes, it would have to develop recommendations for implementing them.
The bill would not itself amend any satellite rule or authorize new spending. It only requires a review, and within 15 months of enactment, a report to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee describing the review's results and any recommendations. Any actual rule changes would require separate future Commission action.
Key provisions
- 1Would require the FCC to review its fixed, mobile, and earth exploration satellite service rules to identify changes that could promote precision agriculture
- 2Would require the FCC to develop recommendations for implementing any rule changes identified during the review
- 3Would require a report to Congress on the review's results and any recommendations within 15 months of enactment
Who would be affected
Farmers and agricultural operations in areas lacking reliable broadband or satellite connectivity, satellite service providers regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, and the congressional committees that would receive the agency's report on precision agriculture connectivity.
Why it matters
If the review identifies feasible rule changes, farmers in unserved or underserved rural areas could eventually gain better access to satellite-based tools for crop management. But the bill only mandates study and reporting, so any real-world connectivity improvement depends on later rulemaking the Commission is not required to pursue.
What would change
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- Deadline for the FCC to submit its review report to Congress
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates H.R. 1618 would cost approximately $1 million over the 2025–2030 period for the FCC to implement, but the net cost to the federal budget would be negligible because the FCC can collect fees to offset those expenses.
H.R. 1618 would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to review its satellite service rules and report to Congress within 15 months on changes that could promote precision agriculture. CBO estimates the FCC would need five part-time employees at a total cost of about $1 million over 2025–2030, but because the FCC is authorized to collect fees sufficient to offset its appropriated costs, the net budgetary impact would be negligible. The bill has no effect on direct spending or revenues, and does not increase the deficit in any 10-year period. It contains no intergovernmental mandates, but does impose a private-sector mandate — the potential pass-through of increased FCC fees — which CBO estimates falls well below the UMRA annual threshold of $203 million.
How implementation would work
The Federal Communications Commission would conduct an internal review of its satellite service rules, consulting with the existing Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture. If it finds rule changes it could make under current authority, it would draft implementation recommendations. Within 15 months of enactment, it would submit a report detailing the review and any recommendations to the relevant House and Senate committees, which could then decide whether to pursue further legislation or oversight.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Official CRS summary
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This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to review and recommend changes to its satellite rules to promote precision agriculture. Precision agriculture is a general term describing various crop management tools and practices that leverage technology like Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment and uncrewed aircraft systems (commonly known as drones) to optimize production and sustainability.
In conducting its review, the FCC must consult with the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture, which advises the FCC on methods to assess and advance broadband internet on unserved agricultural land and promote precision agriculture.
Legislative subjects
Agricultural practices and innovations; Agricultural research; Congressional oversight; Internet, web applications, social media; Science, Technology, Communications; Spacecraft and satellites
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-195