MOBILE Act

Hozzl · 2024-03-13T20:26:59Z

Explore the details of Senate Bill 1459 MOBILE Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Transportation and Public Works. Stay informed on legislative developments.

3/13/2024, 8:26 PM

Summary of Bill S 1459

The MOBILE Act, also known as Bill 118 s 1459, is a piece of legislation introduced in the United States Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to streamline the process for the deployment of mobile broadband infrastructure, such as cell towers and antennas, in order to improve access to high-speed internet in rural and underserved areas.

The MOBILE Act aims to reduce regulatory barriers and expedite the approval process for the construction of mobile broadband infrastructure. This includes provisions to limit the fees that local governments can charge for permits and access to public rights-of-way, as well as requirements for timely approval of applications for new infrastructure.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to encourage collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sector entities, in order to facilitate the deployment of mobile broadband infrastructure. This includes the establishment of a task force to identify best practices and recommend policies to improve access to high-speed internet in underserved areas. Overall, the MOBILE Act is designed to promote the expansion of mobile broadband infrastructure in order to increase access to high-speed internet for all Americans, particularly those in rural and underserved communities. By reducing regulatory barriers and promoting collaboration, this legislation aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all Americans have access to the benefits of the digital economy.

Congressional Summary of S 1459

Mobility Aids On Board Improve Lives and Empower All Act or the MOBILE Act

This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue regulations related to the accommodations that air carriers and foreign air carriers make for passengers with wheelchairs (including power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, and scooters); DOT must also develop a road map and study the issue.

Specifically, air carriers must publish the dimensions of aircraft cargo holds. An air carrier must offer a full refund to an individual with a disability who is traveling with a wheelchair and cannot fly on the existing aircraft because the cargo hold cannot physically accommodate the wheelchair.

DOT must also

evaluate data on the mishandling of wheelchairs on aircraft (e.g., damages, delays, or loss) and submit a publicly available report to Congress, which must include DOT's plans to address issues in the report;
submit a strategic road map to Congress describing how DOT and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (the Access Board) will establish a research program on the feasibility of main cabin wheelchair restraint systems; and
study, if DOT first determines doing so would be technically feasible, the economic and financial feasibility of air carriers accommodating passengers with wheelchairs in the main cabin during flight.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill S 1459

Bill S 1459 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since May 4, 2023. Bill S 1459 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on May 4, 2023. Bill S 1459's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. as of May 4, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 1459

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 1459

Primary Policy Focus

Transportation and Public Works

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 1459

MOBILE ActMOBILE ActMobility Aids On Board Improve Lives and Empower All ActA bill to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to issue regulations concerning accommodations for powered wheelchairs, and for other purposes.

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