House Expected to Pass Satellite Broadband Study Bill Proposed for Appalachia
Lawmakers want the GAO to examine whether a regional commission can incorporate low-Earth orbit satellites into broadband efforts.
WASHINGTON, March 23, 2026 – Lawmakers are calling for a federal study on whether satellite broadband could play a larger role in economic development projects across Appalachia, as policymakers reconsider how best to connect rural communities.
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Dave Taylor, R-Ohio, as H.R. 2474, would require the Government Accountability Office to evaluate whether the Appalachian Regional Commission can incorporate satellite services into its broadband initiatives. The commission has historically supported infrastructure projects aimed at expanding connectivity and promoting economic growth in underserved regions. The House is expected to approved the bill on Tuesday, March 24.
Under the proposal, the study would assess the ability of satellite broadband to support business activity, examine economic outcomes in areas that have adopted satellite services, and analyze the cost-effectiveness of deploying broadband through satellites.
