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Accelerating Broadband Permits Act
3/28/2025, 11:55 AM
Summary of Bill S 866
The main goal of the bill is to ensure that applications for communication use, such as radio licenses or spectrum allocations, are processed in a timely manner as required by law. This is important for businesses and individuals who rely on these communications services for their operations.
The bill outlines various measures that executive agencies must take to meet the statutory deadline for processing these applications. This includes implementing new procedures, allocating resources effectively, and providing regular updates on the status of applications. In addition to improving the processing of communication use applications, the bill also includes provisions for other purposes related to communication services. These may include addressing issues such as spectrum management, licensing requirements, and regulatory compliance. Overall, Bill 119 s 866 aims to streamline the process for processing communication use applications within executive agencies, ensuring that businesses and individuals can access these essential services in a timely manner.
Congressional Summary of S 866
Accelerating Broadband Permits Act
This bill makes specified changes to processes for federal review of certain communications and broadband infrastructure projects.
Specifically, the bill 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. (Under current law, executive branch agencies with control over buildings or property may grant such easements, rights-of-way, or leases to entities seeking to install, construct, modify, or maintain communications facilities. Generally, agencies must act on such applications within 270 days.)
Under the bill, agencies must develop controls to ensure accurate tracking of processing times for such applications and take action to address factors contributing to delays as they occur. 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. (These provisions were recommended by the Government Accountability Office in an April 2024 report to Congress entitled Broadband Deployment: Agencies Should Take Steps to Better Meet Deadline for Processing Permits.)
Separately, 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 866
Bipartisan Support of Bill S 866
Total Number of Sponsors
4Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
4Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
2Democrat Cosponsors
1Republican Cosponsors
1Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 866
Primary Policy Focus
Science, Technology, CommunicationsAlternate Title(s) of Bill S 866
Comments
Quincy Fischer
1 year ago
I think this bill is gonna make things better for all of us. It's gonna help speed up the process for getting broadband permits, which means faster internet for everyone. Can't wait to see the positive changes this will bring!
