BROADBAND Leadership Act

2/6/2025, 9:45 PM

Barriers and Regulatory Obstacles Avoids Deployment of Broadband Access and Needs Deregulatory Leadership Act or the BROADBAND Leadership Act

This bill limits the authority of a state or locality to regulate the placement, construction, or modification of telecommunications service facilities.

States and localities may not discriminate in such regulations among providers of telecommunications services, including based on the technology used to provide services. In addition, states and localities may not regulate in a manner that effectively prohibits the provision or improvement of interstate or intrastate telecommunications services.

However, states and localities may charge reasonable, cost-based fees (1) to review requests to place, construct, or modify telecommunications service facilities; or (2) for the use of property owned or managed by the state or locality for the placement, construction, or modification of those facilities.

States or localities must respond to requests to place, construct, or modify facilities and for other related actions by specified deadlines. Such deadlines may only be tolled by a mutual agreement between the applicant and the state or locality, or in the event that the application is incomplete and requires a supplemental submission. If a decision is not made by the deadline, the request is deemed to be approved. Further, denials of requests must be made in writing, supported by evidence, and promptly released to the public.

A person adversely affected by an alleged violation of these provisions may petition the courts for expedited review of the actions of the state or locality.

 

Bill 119 HR 278, also known as the Streamlining Siting Processes for Telecommunications Service Facilities Act, aims to make it easier for telecommunications companies to build and expand their infrastructure. The bill proposes amendments to the Communications Act of 1934 in order to simplify the process of siting telecommunications service facilities.

The main goal of the bill is to reduce the bureaucratic hurdles that telecommunications companies face when trying to build new facilities or upgrade existing ones. By streamlining the siting process, the bill aims to make it faster and more cost-effective for companies to deploy new technologies and improve their services.

Some of the key provisions of the bill include requiring local governments to approve or deny siting applications within a certain timeframe, limiting the fees that local governments can charge for siting permits, and establishing a shot clock for the approval process. The bill also includes provisions to protect historic properties and ensure that environmental concerns are taken into account during the siting process. Overall, the Streamlining Siting Processes for Telecommunications Service Facilities Act is aimed at promoting the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure in the United States by making it easier for companies to build and upgrade their facilities. The bill seeks to strike a balance between promoting innovation and protecting the interests of local communities and the environment.
Congress
119

Number
HR - 278

Introduced on
2025-01-09

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

1/9/2025

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Barriers and Regulatory Obstacles Avoids Deployment of Broadband Access and Needs Deregulatory Leadership Act or the BROADBAND Leadership Act

This bill limits the authority of a state or locality to regulate the placement, construction, or modification of telecommunications service facilities.

States and localities may not discriminate in such regulations among providers of telecommunications services, including based on the technology used to provide services. In addition, states and localities may not regulate in a manner that effectively prohibits the provision or improvement of interstate or intrastate telecommunications services.

However, states and localities may charge reasonable, cost-based fees (1) to review requests to place, construct, or modify telecommunications service facilities; or (2) for the use of property owned or managed by the state or locality for the placement, construction, or modification of those facilities.

States or localities must respond to requests to place, construct, or modify facilities and for other related actions by specified deadlines. Such deadlines may only be tolled by a mutual agreement between the applicant and the state or locality, or in the event that the application is incomplete and requires a supplemental submission. If a decision is not made by the deadline, the request is deemed to be approved. Further, denials of requests must be made in writing, supported by evidence, and promptly released to the public.

A person adversely affected by an alleged violation of these provisions may petition the courts for expedited review of the actions of the state or locality.

 

Bill 119 HR 278, also known as the Streamlining Siting Processes for Telecommunications Service Facilities Act, aims to make it easier for telecommunications companies to build and expand their infrastructure. The bill proposes amendments to the Communications Act of 1934 in order to simplify the process of siting telecommunications service facilities.

The main goal of the bill is to reduce the bureaucratic hurdles that telecommunications companies face when trying to build new facilities or upgrade existing ones. By streamlining the siting process, the bill aims to make it faster and more cost-effective for companies to deploy new technologies and improve their services.

Some of the key provisions of the bill include requiring local governments to approve or deny siting applications within a certain timeframe, limiting the fees that local governments can charge for siting permits, and establishing a shot clock for the approval process. The bill also includes provisions to protect historic properties and ensure that environmental concerns are taken into account during the siting process. Overall, the Streamlining Siting Processes for Telecommunications Service Facilities Act is aimed at promoting the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure in the United States by making it easier for companies to build and upgrade their facilities. The bill seeks to strike a balance between promoting innovation and protecting the interests of local communities and the environment.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Communications Act of 1934 to streamline siting processes for telecommunications service facilities, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Science, Technology, Communications

Comments

APPROVED
Sutton Waller
@old_bay_seasoning_daikon_douchi06959
I don't think this is a good idea. It could cause problems for me and others. I hope they reconsider this.

Recent Activity

Latest Summary2/10/2025

Barriers and Regulatory Obstacles Avoids Deployment of Broadband Access and Needs Deregulatory Leadership Act or the BROADBAND Leadership Act

This bill limits the authority of a state or locality to regulate the placement, c...


Latest Action1/9/2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.