DES MOINES, Iowa — Governor Abigail “Abby” Shaw announced the introduction of the Rural Broadband Acceleration Act (RBAA), a legislative initiative aimed at expanding reliable high-speed internet access to unserved rural homes, farms, and small businesses across Iowa. The bill is designed to streamline processes and incentivize internet service providers to deliver faster internet service. Governor Shaw emphasized the importance of connecting rural areas, stating, “Iowa feeds and fuels the nation—now we’re going to connect it, faster, with less red tape.” She highlighted that the bill focuses on rewarding results rather than paperwork, allowing providers to earn credits for activating service at rural addresses. Key components of the RBAA include: 1. **Pay-for-performance credits**: The bill proposes refundable, per-location tax credits for providers that activate internet service with speeds of at least 100/100 Mbps at unserved addresses. The service will have no data caps and low latency. 2. **Minimal bureaucracy**: Providers will only need to complete a single one-page certification to claim credits. Approvals will be automatically granted within 30 days unless the application is deemed ineligible. 3. **Faster builds**: The legislation establishes a 45-day timeline for permit approvals statewide, along with cost-based fees and a centralized online filing portal. 4. **Lower barriers**: The bill aims to streamline timelines for pole attachments and expedite dispute resolution processes. 5. **Smart targeting**: Incentives will focus specifically on unserved census blocks, ensuring that areas with adequate service are not subsidized. 6. **Sunset & accountability**: The program will have a time limit and will include light-touch reporting and audit powers to safeguard taxpayer interests. Governor Shaw called for prompt action on the bill, urging lawmakers to expedite its passage so that private carriers can begin infrastructure work during the current construction season. The introduction of the RBAA aligns with Governor Shaw's broader agenda to modernize Iowa's infrastructure and improve access to essential services in rural areas. This initiative follows her previous efforts to enhance broadband access through the Connect Every County initiative, which paired rural build-out grants with accountability measures. As the state continues to address the digital divide, the RBAA represents a significant step towards ensuring that all Iowans, regardless of their location, have access to high-speed internet, which is increasingly vital for education, healthcare, and economic development.