Key Takeaways:
- H.R. 1618 would require the FCC to review its communications rules affecting fixed, mobile, and satellite services in relation to precision agriculture.
- The FCC must submit a report to Congress within 15 months, including any recommendations for regulatory updates to support modern agricultural practices.
- The Congressional Budget Office estimates a $1 million implementation cost, with negligible net impact due to the FCC’s authority to recover costs through regulatory fees.
- H.R. 1618 does not include intergovernmental mandates, and potential private-sector impacts remain well below UMRA thresholds.
- The FCC’s review is intended to enhance rural connectivity, facilitating adoption of precision agriculture tools across the U.S.
To Review Rules Impacting Precision Agriculture Under H.R. 1618
H.R. 1618 directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to examine how current regulations for fixed, mobile, and earth exploration satellite services influence the development and application of precision agriculture. The bill aims to ensure that federal communications policy keeps pace with the growing connectivity needs of the agricultural sector.
The FCC is required to complete this review and submit a report to Congress within 15 months of the bill’s enactment. This report must include recommendations for rule changes that could better support the use of advanced agricultural technologies.
CBO Estimates Minimal Cost for FCC Review Mandated by H.R. 1618
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that the FCC would require approximately five part-time staff members, each costing around $195,000 annually, to carry out the review and reporting obligations. The total cost is estimated at $1 million over the 2025–2030 period.
Because the FCC is authorized to collect regulatory fees to offset its appropriated expenses, the net budgetary effect is expected to be negligible, assuming fee collections remain aligned with spending needs.
Fee Increases Expected to Be Minimal
While the bill would not impose intergovernmental mandates, it may result in a modest increase in fees for private-sector entities regulated by the FCC. These would cover the additional administrative costs incurred by the agency.
The CBO determined that any added burden would fall well below the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) threshold, which is set at $203 million for 2025 and adjusted annually.
FCC’s Role in Promoting Connectivity in Agriculture
The review outlined in H.R. 1618 reflects growing legislative interest in improving access to communications infrastructure in rural and agricultural areas. The FCC’s evaluation could pave the way for policies that support better use of satellite and mobile networks for precision agriculture.
