Bill · H.R. 3212· House(119-HR-3212)
LAST ACRE Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 5/6/2025
- Last activity
- 5/6/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Brad Finstad
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The LAST ACRE Act of 2025 seeks to amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to create the "Last Acre Program." This program aims to advance precision agriculture and expand high-speed broadband access for agricultural producers. The Secretary of Agriculture will establish the program to provide grants and loans to broadband providers on a competitive basis. These funds will target unserved and underserved eligible land, such as cropland and farm sites. The program includes specific provisions for limited resource farmers and ranchers to receive higher levels of federal cost-sharing.
Yes· 3 of 13
Would farmers be better off under this?+7
The bill provides targeted financial assistance to expand high-speed internet and support precision agriculture technologies for producers.
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+7
The bill establishes a program to specifically expand broadband and wireless connectivity to unserved and underserved agricultural land.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+6
The program prioritizes connectivity in remote and underserved areas, which benefits rural community members.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expansion of High-Speed Internet for Farmers: The program aims to augment broadband deployment for agricultural producers to expand high-speed internet access across the "last acre" (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Support for Precision Agriculture: By advancing connectivity, the bill helps manage, track, or reduce production inputs like seed, feed, and water to improve efficiencies (Section 2(b)(10)).
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Increased Support for Low-Income Producers: The Federal share of project costs can be increased to 90 percent for limited resource farmers or ranchers (Section 2(d)(3)(B)).
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Connectivity for Specific Agricultural Infrastructure: Qualifying connectivity can be used to provide service to various devices and structures, including tractors, combines, irrigation systems, drones, and livestock facilities (Section 2(b)(11)(B)(i)).
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Infrastructure Development: The program supports the construction of wireless infrastructure, such as poles, towers, and base stations, or the retrofitting of existing structures like water towers and grain elevators (Section 2(b)(11)(B)(iii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Service Areas: Assistance cannot be awarded for broadband service to inhabitable residences that are already identified as serviceable on broadband maps, nor can it be used for commercial service to areas outside of eligible land (Section 2(d)(2)).
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Requirement for Cybersecurity Compliance: Covered providers must implement a layered defense strategy and maintain a configuration management plan to receive assistance (Section 2(g)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+7Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Business Owners+4Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Middle Class Households+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+6Improves Environmental Protections+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+7
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+3Increases Job Creation+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- 5/6/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jim CostaDemocrat · California