WASHINGTON – A bill aimed at expanding internet access in Appalachian Ohio passed the House of Representatives by voice vote Tuesday.
H.R. 2474, the Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act, sponsored by Rep. Dave Taylor, R-Ohio, directs the Government Accountability Office to study whether satellite technology could be used by the Appalachian Regional Commission for economic development purposes.
What the bill does
The legislation requires GAO to measure satellite capabilities for rural business services and assess whether they could meet businesses’ needs. It also calls for an evaluation of economic development in areas already using satellites for broadband services and an analysis of the cost-effectiveness of satellite implementation.
If the study produces favorable results, the bill would allow rural businesses and communities seeking broadband funding through ARC to access satellite technologies.
Broadband access gap
Large portions of Ohio’s Second Congressional District lack access to sufficient broadband. A 2024 study reported three counties in Taylor’s district as being in the top 150 most off-the-grid locations in the United States.
Fiber optic cables have historically been the most utilized technology in the region, but expanding fiber into the challenging terrain of southern Ohio has been costly and difficult, according to the bill’s background materials.
Legislative timeline
Taylor introduced the bill on March 27, 2025. It passed through the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Jan. 21 by voice vote before clearing the full House on Tuesday.
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.