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PLAN for Broadband Act
3/28/2025, 11:54 AM
Summary of Bill S 323
The National Strategy will focus on identifying gaps and redundancies in existing federal broadband programs, as well as opportunities for collaboration and coordination. It will also prioritize areas where federal investment in broadband infrastructure is most needed, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
Additionally, the bill requires the Assistant Secretary to consult with a wide range of stakeholders, including federal agencies, state and local governments, tribal entities, and industry representatives, in developing the National Strategy. This collaborative approach is intended to ensure that the Strategy reflects the diverse needs and perspectives of all stakeholders involved in expanding broadband access across the country. Overall, Bill 119 s 323 seeks to streamline federal efforts to expand broadband access and bridge the digital divide, ultimately improving connectivity and economic opportunities for all Americans.
Congressional Summary of S 323
Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act or the PLAN for Broadband Act
This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to develop and implement a national strategy to improve the coordination and management of federal broadband programs and agency consideration of applications to build or maintain broadband infrastructure on federal property.
The NTIA must also develop and publish for public comment a plan for the implementation of the national strategy. Among other requirements, the implementation plan must establish, for federal broadband programs that are not technologically neutral (i.e., programs that involve a preference for certain broadband technologies), a ceiling on the amount of funding that may be awarded to support the provision of broadband service to a single location.
The bill also requires executive branch agencies to identify and address factors that contribute to delays in their review of applications for easements, rights-of-way, or leases related to communications infrastructure projects on federal property. (Under current law, agencies are generally required to act on such applications within 270 days.) Agencies must also establish methods to alert employees when the agency is at risk of failing to meet the 270-day deadline with respect to a particular application.
Finally, the bill lowers the cost threshold for certain broadband infrastructure projects to qualify as covered projects under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act from $200 million to $5 million. Such projects qualify for expedited federal environmental review.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill S 323
Bipartisan Support of Bill S 323
Total Number of Sponsors
4Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
4Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
2Democrat Cosponsors
2Republican Cosponsors
0Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 323
Primary Policy Focus
Science, Technology, CommunicationsAlternate Title(s) of Bill S 323
Comments
Thiago Strauss
10 months ago
I don't see the point of this bill. It won't make a difference.
