S. 1617: LAST ACRE Act of 2025

 Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2025 or the LAST ACRE Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make grants and loans to facilitate broadband and wireless connectivity projects on active agricultural land.

To be eligible for support, projects must involve (1) the provision of broadband service to structures and devices, including tractors, irrigation systems, and drones; (2) the provision of wireless connectivity to facilitate data transmission between structures and devices; or (3) activities that support the construction of wireless infrastructure. Projects must involve agricultural land that is used for the active production of agricultural commodities or livestock and that lacks broadband service at specified minimum speeds.

To apply for funding, a broadband or wireless connectivity provider must submit an initial bid to USDA relating to a project on eligible agricultural land. The application must include information on the provider’s engagement with the relevant farmer or rancher and a description of how the grant or loan assistance would be used to establish connectivity on the land. Once an initial bid is received, USDA must allow other providers that operate on or near the relevant land to submit competing bids.

Separately, the bill requires USDA to include in certain surveys of U.S. farmers questions related to whether and how respondents use broadband service at farm sites.

Finally, the bill repeals two USDA loan and grant programs that support innovative broadband projects and middle mile broadband infrastructure, respectively.