Legislation would set review deadlines, adjust fee rules, and streamline approvals as states begin major BEAD-funded internet projects.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee recently approved a bill that would change how broadband projects are permitted by setting deadlines for state and local decisions and limiting certain application fees. Under the proposal, projects that go beyond those deadlines would be considered approved, and some types of installations—such as work in public rights of way or areas with existing easements—would be exempt from additional reviews under federal environmental and historic preservation laws.
The debate comes as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) begins distributing Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funds, while the administration considers whether future funding could be tied to state artificial-intelligence (AI) regulations.
The committee also advanced several bipartisan measures to improve transparency, create an online permitting portal, and track application progress on federal lands.
“We must also remove other barriers to deployment. Unpredictable timeliness, expensive and sometimes duplicative reviews, and lack of transparency all contribute to deployment delays,” said Committee Chair Brett Guthrie of Kentucky.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For members of Congress as they deliberate broadband policy and seek to expand reliable internet access.
- For officials in the Commerce and Interior Departments as they balance project approvals with stewardship of environmental and cultural resources.
- For Assistant Secretary of Commerce Arielle Roth as she serves as NTIA Administrator.
Sources: Roll Call, Ars Technica
