HR 2399 · Passed House · 04-29-25
Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025
What does the Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 do?
HR 2399 is a House bill sponsored by Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN). The FCC's high-cost universal service program pays companies to build broadband networks in rural and hard-to-serve areas. This bill requires the FCC to set up a vetting process so that money only goes to applicants who can show they actually have the technical, financial, and operational ability and a real business plan to build the networks they promise. It also requires minimum penalties for applicants that win an award and then default before they are authorized to begin.
Did HR 2399 pass? Where it stands
As of July 17, 2026, HR 2399 has passed the House.
Status: Passed House
Latest vote: House Passed by voice vote on April 28, 2025
Outlook: Possible
Key provisions
- Applicant Vetting Process
- FCC must start a rulemaking within 180 days to vet applicants
- Applicants must document technical, financial, and operational capability and a business plan
- Proposals judged against established standards and the applicant's past compliance history
- Default Penalties
- Penalty for pre-authorization defaults set at no less than $9,000 per violation
- Base forfeiture may not be capped below 30 percent of the applicant's total support
Last updated June 10, 2026