Bill Overview
Title: ACCESS Rural America Act
Description: This bill increases the shareholder registration threshold for issuers receiving support through federal universal service support mechanisms, which provide communication services to underserved areas.
Sponsors: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Target Audience
Population: People in rural and underserved areas globally with access to communication services
Estimated Size: 60000000
- The bill affects issuers that receive federal support to provide communication services.
- The communication services are aimed specifically at underserved areas, which are often rural.
- Rural areas generally have lower population densities compared to urban areas.
- Access to improved communication services can affect a range of people, improving economic opportunities, healthcare, and education in rural areas.
Reasoning
- The policy targets rural and underserved areas, primarily impacting those lacking robust communication services.
- Given that about 60 million people live in rural America, the beneficiaries will be a subset of this large group.
- The policy's influence will be significant in areas where communication infrastructure development has been stagnant.
- The overall budget indicates a large-scale but focused impact, meaning not all rural residents will be affected, but those who are may experience considerable improvement in their wellbeing.
- Improved communication can translate into better educational, economic, and healthcare opportunities, potentially leading to long-term improvements in wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Small Business Owner (Appalachia, Kentucky)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With the policy, my business could finally have reliable internet access.
- This will expand my customer base and increase my sales.
- The current lack of connectivity limits my business's potential.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Montana)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better communication services would help manage supplies and logistics efficiently.
- It could also enable better market access and crop pricing insights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
High School Teacher (Rural Mississippi)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved internet access will transform the educational experience.
- Students could access more resources and potentially have better academic outcomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired (Northern Idaho)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Good connectivity will significantly improve my access to telehealth services.
- This could make managing my health much easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
College Student (Rural Texas)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Faster internet would allow me to complete my classes more effectively.
- I would feel less stressed about online deadlines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Healthcare Worker (Rural Alabama)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With reliable internet, our clinic could function more efficiently.
- We would minimize errors and provide better patient care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Lumberjack (Rural Washington)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Internet access doesn't significantly impact my work life.
- But better connectivity might improve safety communications on-site.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Homemaker (Rural Maine)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved internet access would make managing household tasks easier.
- I could better coordinate with online services like shopping deliveries.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Freelance Writer (Rural Georgia)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Consistent internet access would definitely help me work more efficiently.
- Enhanced connectivity could increase my income stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired Teacher (Rural South Dakota)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better connectivity would enhance my ability to participate fully in volunteering activities.
- It would make leading the book club smoother, and more participants could join virtually.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $130000000)
Year 2: $120000000 (Low: $90000000, High: $150000000)
Year 3: $130000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $160000000)
Year 5: $150000000 (Low: $110000000, High: $180000000)
Year 10: $180000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $230000000)
Year 100: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy incentivizes increased capital access for communication companies in rural areas, which could close significant gaps in service.
- Requires careful monitoring to ensure funds are used effectively to meet underserved area needs.
- Potential dependency on continuous federal support may be fostered if regionally customized metric evaluation isn't employed.