Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1343
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-21: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act (H.R. 1343) aims to improve oversight and transparency in the federal process for authorizing communications facilities—such as broadband infrastructure—on certain public lands by requiring a tracking plan.
Key Provisions
- Submission Requirement: Within 180 days of enactment, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information (a role in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA) must submit a plan to specific congressional committees.
- Plan Contents:
- A proposed process to track the acceptance, processing, and disposal (final approval or denial) of Form 299 applications for communications use authorizations.
- Methods to give applicants more visibility into their Form 299 status.
- Steps for fastest possible implementation.
- Identification of any barriers to rollout.
- Definitions (key terms simplified):
- Form 299: Standard application form for permissions to build or modify communications facilities on federal lands.
- Communications use authorization: Permissions (e.g., easements, leases) from the Departments of Interior or Agriculture to place facilities on covered lands (public lands managed by agencies like Bureau of Land Management or National Forests).
- Committees: House Energy and Commerce; Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- No direct changes to laws; introduces a one-time planning mandate to enhance tracking under existing processes from the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (which created Form 299).
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: NTIA gains a formalized tracking system; Departments of Interior and Agriculture may see streamlined Form 299 handling, reducing delays in broadband approvals on federal lands (about 700 million acres).
- Citizens and Businesses: Telecom providers and applicants benefit from status updates, potentially speeding broadband expansion to rural or underserved areas on public lands.
- No international relations impact noted.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- NTIA (Assistant Secretary): Responsible for plan development and submission.
- Federal Land Managers: Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation (Interior); U.S. Forest Service (Agriculture)—they process Form 299s.
- Congressional Committees: House Energy and Commerce; Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation—receive and oversee the plan.
- Private Sector: Broadband and communications companies applying for facility placements.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds on existing statutory framework without altering rights or liabilities; promotes administrative efficiency.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; aligns with Congress's oversight of executive agencies.
- Political: Supports national broadband goals by addressing deployment bottlenecks on federal lands, potentially aiding rural connectivity without mandating spending or new regulations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-21: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2026-04-20: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-04-20: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2973)
- 2026-04-20: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2973)
- 2026-04-20: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1343.
- 2026-04-20: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2973-2974)
- 2026-04-20: Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2026-02-04: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 415.
- 2026-02-04: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-485.
- 2026-02-04: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-485.
- 2025-12-03: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.
- 2025-12-03: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-11-18: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2025-11-18: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Bill Versions
- Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act — issued 2026-04-20 — PDF (6 pages)
- Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (4 pages)
- Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act — issued 2026-04-21 — PDF (5 pages)
- Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (8 pages)