Just yesterday, I posted about concerns with taking broadband grants, and now I hear that Senators Cramer and Moran have introduced Bipartisan Legislation to prevent taxation of rural broadband grants…

Under existing law, federal broadband deployment grants are subject to federal taxation, limiting the funds available for recipients to use.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) in introducing the Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act to ensure federal broadband deployment grants are excluded from taxable income, allowing recipients to maximize investments in broadband expansion. …

The bill is consistent with longstanding efforts to promote broadband accessibility in underserved communities and has received strong support from industry leaders, including USTelecom – The Broadband Association; the Competitive Carriers Association; CTIA – The Wireless Association; INCOMPAS – The Internet and Competitive Networks Association; WTA – Advocates for Rural Broadband; NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association; and the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association.

Cosponsors of the Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act include U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Angus King (I-ME), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Deb Fischer (R-NE).

Click here for bill text.