I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7461 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 26, 2024 Mr. Van Drew introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit providers of broadband internet access service from charging consumers above certain amounts for certain equipment.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Broadband Equipment Rental Reform Act . 2. Prohibition on charging consumers above certain amounts for certain rented equipment Section 642 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 562 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: (d) Prohibition on charging consumers above certain amounts for certain equipment A provider of fixed broadband internet access service that enters into a contract with a consumer after the date of the enactment of this paragraph for the provision of such service may not charge the consumer for renting, leasing, or otherwise providing to the consumer equipment (such as a router or modem) employed on the premises of the consumer for the provision of such service, if the consumer has paid to the provider through monthly rental fees the price offered to the consumer by the provider (at the time the contract was entered into) for purchasing the equipment from the provider. .