Issues lobbied + lobbyists
BUD — Budget/Appropriations
The association follows the federal budget and appropriations process as it relates to agencies, and their respective policies, that have jurisdiction over rural telecommunications matters. Primarily the association monitors the Federal Communications Commission(FCC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration(NTIA), and the Rural Utilities Service(RUS), and the budget, programs, and policies of each. During the reporting period, the association focused on FY2027 appropriations discussions regarding the perspective of rural broadband providers as they relate to the following: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service telecommunications and broadband loan and grant programs funding and funding for administrative expenses. USDA ReConnect program, including coordination with other rural broadband program rules, priority for providers based on form of organization or commercial status, and deployment of symmetrical service. Federal Communications Commission oversight of Universal Service Fund and related policies such as broadband availability mapping, eligible telecommunications carrier designation, as well as policies tied to supply chain issues. Compliance costs of certain rulemakings, and other aspects of rural communications operations. Department of Interior related to coordination with other agencies and staffing for improving securing rights-of-way, permitting and other communications deployment issues.
Lobbyists: LEIF OVESON; ms MAKENZIE ELIZABETH NOVAK; BRENDAN DAILEY; VIRDINA GIBBS
Government entities lobbied: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE
TEC — Telecommunications
The association bases its approaches on whether or not policies are flexible in their application to rural carriers that have different needs and capabilities and that have far different economies of scale and competitive opportunities than larger carriers. During the reporting period, the association focused on the following: S. 674 - Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act - all sections. S. 1651 - Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 - all sections. S. 2855 - CLOSE THE GAP Act - all sections. S. 3084 - ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 - all sections. S. 3268 - Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act - all sections. S. 3858 - SIREN Act of 2026 - all sections. H.R. 1873 - Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act - all sections H.R. 3119 - ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 - all sections. H.R. 4032 - Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 - all sections. H.R. 5419 - Enhancing Administrative Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act - all sections. H.R. 6046 - Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act - all sections. H.R. 8144 - The Quality Broadband for Connected Communities Act - all sections. H.R. 8145 - The Expanding Access to Distance Learning and Telemedicine Act - all sections. H.R. 8146 - The Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act - all sections. H.R. 8147 - The Prioritizing Rural Broadband Affordability Act - all sections. Legislation to reform the Universal Service Fund contribution and distribution systems. Legislative and regulatory issues related to USDA/RUS telecom/broadband loan and grant programs, including the ReConnect Program and reauthorization of the Farm Bill. Legislative and regulatory issues related to IP Interconnection. Legislative and regulatory issues related to broadband mapping. Legislative and regulatory issues related to broadband permitting applications. Legislative and regulatory issues related to the Broadband, Equity, Access & Deployment Program. Legislation to streamline the deployment of telecommunications or broadband service facilities in public rights- of-way and the rights-of-way of railroad carriers. Legislation on the minimum speeds for the Community Connect program. Legislation on reforms to the distance learning grant program. Regulatory issues related to interagency communication between the FCC, USDA, NTIA, and Treasury. Legislation related to refunds for customers during utility outages. Legislation related to the Consumer Data Privacy and Security Act.
Lobbyists: LEIF OVESON; ms MAKENZIE ELIZABETH NOVAK; BRENDAN DAILEY; VIRDINA GIBBS
Government entities lobbied: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE
INS — Insurance
The association monitors and reacts to policy concepts that may impact its ability to continue providing its high quality Group Health Plan to members, their employees, and the association staff at affordable rates and on reasonable terms and conditions. During the reporting period, no issues or introduced measures in this category were focused upon.
Lobbyists: LEIF OVESON; ms MAKENZIE ELIZABETH NOVAK; BRENDAN DAILEY; VIRDINA GIBBS
RET — Retirement
The association monitors and reacts to policy concepts that may impact its ability to continue providing its high quality Retirement Security Plans to members, their employees, and the association staff at affordable rates and on reasonable terms and conditions. During the reporting period, no issues or introduced measures in this category were focused upon.
Lobbyists: LEIF OVESON; ms MAKENZIE ELIZABETH NOVAK; BRENDAN DAILEY; VIRDINA GIBBS
ECN — Economics/Economic Development
The association monitors initiatives tied to rural and community economic development which typically have a direct connection to the type and level of communications services that may be available in a rural community or market area, and that are often important to the survival of such communities and market areas. During the reporting period, the association focused on the following: Legislative and regulatory issues related to federal permitting.
Lobbyists: LEIF OVESON; ms MAKENZIE ELIZABETH NOVAK; BRENDAN DAILEY; VIRDINA GIBBS
Government entities lobbied: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE
TAX — Taxation/Internal Revenue Code
The association monitors and reacts to policy concepts that may impact the ability of its members to function in an operationally sound manner as well as measures that may affect the ultimate transfer of such businesses. During the reporting period, no issues or introduced measures in this category were focused upon.
Lobbyists: LEIF OVESON; ms MAKENZIE ELIZABETH NOVAK; BRENDAN DAILEY; VIRDINA GIBBS
SMB — Small Business
The association monitors and reacts to policy concepts that may impact the ability of its members to function in an operationally sound and successful manner as well as measures that may affect the ultimate transfer of such businesses. During the reporting period, the association focused on the following: Legislation related to an exemption of certain Securities Exchange Act shareholder registration thresholds for certain Universal Service Fund recipients.
Lobbyists: LEIF OVESON; ms MAKENZIE ELIZABETH NOVAK; BRENDAN DAILEY; VIRDINA GIBBS
Government entities lobbied: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE
AGR — Agriculture
The association monitors agriculture policy as it relates to agencies that have jurisdiction over programs and funding for rural telecommunications, primarily the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). During the reporting period, the association focused on the following: Legislative and regulatory issues related to USDA/RUS telecom/broadband loan and grant programs, including the ReConnect Program; Community Connect Program; Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program; and reauthorization of the Farm Bill.
Lobbyists: LEIF OVESON; ms MAKENZIE ELIZABETH NOVAK; BRENDAN DAILEY; VIRDINA GIBBS
Government entities lobbied: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE