ACCESS Rural America Act

Tammy Baldwin

Democrat · WI · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Joni Ernst (R-IA)Original· 2026-07-15

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

2026-07-15

Source: Congress.gov

The bill would modify rules that allow rural telephone companies to sell securities without going through the full registration process normally required by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This change would make it easier for smaller telephone companies serving rural areas to raise money by issuing stocks or bonds while still maintaining investor protections. The measure affects rural telecommunications companies and investors who purchase their securities.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 5003 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5003 To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to address registration exemptions for securities of issuers that are rural telephone companies, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 15, 2026 Ms. Baldwin (for herself and Ms. Ernst) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to address registration exemptions for securities of issuers that are rural telephone companies, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Access to Capital Creates Economic Strength and Supports Rural America Act'' or the ``ACCESS Rural America Act''. SEC. 2. EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. Section 12(g)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(I) Any security where-- ``(i) the issuer of the security (or any affiliate or subsidiary of that issuer) is a rural telephone company, as defined in section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153), that provides broadband internet access service, as defined in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation; ``(ii) not later than 120 days after the last day of the previous fiscal year of the issuer of the security, that issuer filed with the Commission a financial summary form that-- ``(I) the issuer also delivered to each holder of record; and ``(II) included-- ``(aa) a summary of the consolidated balance sheet and consolidated income statement of the issuer; ``(bb) subscriber data with respect to broadband internet access service, as defined in subclause (I); and ``(cc) such other financially material information as the Commission determines is necessary and appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors; and ``(iii) as of the last day of the previous fiscal year of the issuer of the security-- ``(I) that issuer, and all of the affiliates and subsidiaries of that issuer, collectively had not more than 100,000 subscribers of broadband internet access service (as defined in clause (i)(I)) in the United States; and ``(II) the security was held of record by-- ``(aa) more than 500 persons that are not accredited investors; and ``(bb) fewer than 2,000 persons.''. <all>

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