New bill out today as part of a larger set of broadband infrastructure bills, the result of some of the NANOG community's conversations with House staffers (and likely other 3rd parties influence): H.R. ____, “Promoting Exchanges for Enhanced Routing of Information So Networks are Great (PEERING) Act,” sponsored by Representative Billy Long (MO-07) • Internet Exchanges (or peering centers) are the physical locations where networks come together, and where content providers cache content closer to end users to increase speed and efficiency of networks. • The bill would authorize a matching a grant program through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to promote peering centers where none exist, or to help an existing one expand if it is the only such facility in a core-based statistical area. • The bill would also authorize eligible recipients under the Universal Service Fund’s E-Rate program (schools and libraries) and Telehealth program to use such funds to contract with a broadband provider to obtain a connection to a peering facility, or to pay costs of maintaining a point of presence at a peering facility.