Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1588
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-04: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-486, Part I.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:41:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act (H.R. 1588) aims to improve the efficiency of federal permitting processes for communications infrastructure on public lands. It requires reporting on obstacles to creating online systems for handling applications (known as Form 299) that allow companies to build or modify facilities like cell towers or broadband equipment on lands managed by the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture.
Key Provisions
- Reporting Requirement: The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information must submit reports to specific congressional committees. The first report is due 90 days after the law's enactment, with follow-up reports every 60 days until the relevant departments confirm they have established online portals.
- Report Content: Each report must describe:
- Whether the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture (or their departments) have set up online portals to accept, process, and approve Form 299 applications for communications use authorizations.
- Any barriers (such as technical, legal, or resource issues) preventing the creation of these portals.
- Notification Process: Once an online portal is established, the relevant Secretary must notify the Assistant Secretary within 3 business days.
- Definitions: The bill defines key terms to clarify scope, including:
- Covered land: Public lands managed by the Interior Department and National Forest System lands managed by the Agriculture Department (via the Forest Service).
- Communications use authorization: Permissions like easements or leases to place or operate communications facilities (e.g., antennas or cables) on these lands.
- Form 299: A standard application form created under a 2012 law for these authorizations.
- Appropriate congressional committees: Four committees in the House and Senate overseeing energy, commerce, natural resources, and public works.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill does not directly amend prior laws but builds on the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, which introduced Form 299 to streamline communications facility approvals on federal lands. It introduces a new oversight mechanism—mandatory reporting—to push federal agencies toward digital modernization, potentially reducing reliance on paper-based or manual processing without altering the underlying authorization rules.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture may face pressure to invest in technology and resources for online portals, leading to faster internal processing of applications. The Assistant Secretary of Commerce gains a formal role in monitoring progress, which could improve inter-agency coordination.
- On Citizens and Businesses: Telecommunications companies and broadband providers could benefit from quicker approvals, accelerating the deployment of internet infrastructure in rural or underserved areas on federal lands. This may enhance access to reliable communications for the public without direct costs to individuals.
- On International Relations: No apparent impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic land management and infrastructure.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Telecommunications and Broadband Providers: Primary beneficiaries, as they submit Form 299 applications to expand networks on federal lands.
- Federal Agencies: Departments of the Interior (managing public lands) and Agriculture (via the Forest Service for national forests), required to develop and notify about online portals; and the Department of Commerce's Assistant Secretary, tasked with reporting.
- Congressional Committees: The specified House and Senate committees (Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Environment and Public Works) receive reports and oversee implementation.
- Rural and Underserved Communities: Indirectly affected through potential improvements in internet access on or near federal lands.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill enforces administrative efficiency without creating new rights or liabilities; it relies on existing authorities under the 2012 law. Barriers identified in reports could lead to future legislation addressing specific issues like funding or regulations.
- Constitutional: No significant concerns, as it involves congressional oversight of executive branch agencies, which is standard under Article I powers. It promotes public interest in infrastructure without infringing on property rights or due process.
- Political: This bipartisan bill (introduced by representatives from both parties) highlights a focus on modernizing federal bureaucracy to support broadband expansion, a priority amid ongoing debates on digital equity and rural development. It could set a precedent for digitizing other permitting processes across government.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-04: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-486, Part I.
- 2026-02-04: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-486, Part I.
- 2025-12-03: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 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
- 2025-02-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
- 2025-02-26: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-26: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-26: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Facilitating the Deployment of Infrastructure with Greater Internet Transactions And Legacy Applications Act — issued 2025-02-26 — PDF (5 pages)