WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) recently reintroduced the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act, a bill they said is designed to help farmers integrate advanced technology into their operations to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Latta originally introduced the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act in 2018 to establish a task force at the Federal Trade Commission to increase broadband connectivity, which was included in the 2018 Farm Bill.

Kelly’s office told Farm World that Kelly and Latta’s Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act in 2023 directed that same task force established under the 2018 law to increase satellite connectivity. On April 26, 2023, Latta and Kelly previously introduced the bill in the 118th Congress, where it passed the U.S. House by a vote of 409-11.

Kelly’s office added that in this Congress, the new Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act is slightly different because authorization for the task force expired Jan 1, 2025.

As a result, Latta and Kelly reintroduced this year because Kelly amended it to direct the Federal Trade Commission to exclude references to this task force.

“Illinois’ Second District grew from 2,000 to over 4,500 farms strong, and a vast majority of them are family owned,” Kelly said. “They are the backbone of our food supply, with many of them directly providing nutritious foods to our communities. I’m proud to work with Rep. Latta again to introduce the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act to help our farmers maximize yield and profitability. Farmers should have access to agriculture innovation and ingenuity.”

Latta said, “Farmers in Ohio’s 5th District know that in order to continue producing high-yield crops, they need access to 21st century technology. That’s why I’m reintroducing my Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act, which will increase productivity and enhance the farming operations of those in Ohio and across America. The U.S. House overwhelmingly approved my bill last Congress, and I’m hopeful that it will receive the same swift, bipartisan support this Congress.”

Moreover, lawmakers said the bill will expand access to rural broadband so more farmers can use technology that is safer, more efficient, and sustainable. Precision agriculture is the use of cutting-edge innovation like self-driving machinery, drones, and satellite imagery to more efficiently and effectively farm.

“I’ve talked with farmers throughout Ohio’s 5th Congressional District that are utilizing advanced technologies to improve farm productivity and sustainability, and it’s making a big difference,” Latta said. “However, it’s clear that the agricultural community is at a disadvantage, compared to other sectors because they are in rural areas that often have limited access to high-speed internet.

“It’s critical that we close the ‘Digital Divide’ to ensure that the agricultural community can fully utilize this cutting-edge technology,” he added. “I’m glad to see this legislation included in the farm bill compromise that was ironed out between the House and Senate.”

Allison Rivera, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association executive director of government affairs, told Farm World, “The Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act would require the Federal Communications Commission to review their current rules and see if any changes can be made to support precision agriculture.”

But, she added, “As more cattle producers employ technology and use data to support their herds, it’s important for the federal government to keep improving access to digital communications and rural connectivity.”