S 98 · Signed into Law · 05-11-26
Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025
What does the Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 do?
S 98 is a Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). Requires the FCC to establish within 180 days a formal vetting process for applicants seeking high-cost universal service fund grants to deploy rural broadband networks. Applicants must document technical, financial, and operational capabilities and submit a business plan; the FCC must evaluate compliance history with other government broadband programs and set a minimum $9,000 per-violation penalty for pre-authorization defaults.
Did S 98 pass? Where it stands
As of July 17, 2026, S 98 has been signed into law.
Status: Signed into Law
Latest vote: House Passed by voice vote on April 20, 2026
Outlook: Enacted
Key provisions
- FCC Vetting Rulemaking
- FCC must initiate rulemaking within 180 days to establish a vetting process for high-cost universal service fund applicants
- Funds may only be awarded to applicants that satisfy standards established in the final rules
- Application Requirements
- Applicants must document technical, financial, and operational capabilities and submit a reasonable business plan
- FCC must evaluate proposals against well-established technical and financial standards, including standards from its Digital Opportunity Data Collection orders
- FCC must consider each applicant's compliance history with FCC and other government broadband deployment programs
- Default Penalties
- Minimum $9,000 per violation for pre-authorization defaults
- Base forfeiture may not fall below 30% of the applicant's total support unless FCC demonstrates the need for lower penalties in a particular instance
Last updated June 10, 2026