Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1681
- 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
- 2026-06-11T05:06:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act (H.R. 1681) aims to speed up the review process for requests to place or modify communications facilities—such as cell towers or broadband equipment—on certain federal lands by creating an oversight group to ensure federal agencies prioritize these requests.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Interagency Strike Force: Within 180 days of enactment, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information must create a "strike force" to oversee federal land management agencies.
- Membership:
- Assistant Secretary (chair).
- Heads of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service.
- Designees from Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior (excluding chiefs of Forest Service and BLM).
- Duties:
- Hold regular calls to enforce prioritization of "communications use authorizations" (easements, rights-of-way, leases, or licenses for communications facilities on public lands or National Forest System lands).
- Set clear, achievable goals for review timelines.
- Track progress and hold agencies accountable, including their regional/district/field offices ("organizational units").
- Reporting Requirement: Within 270 days, the Assistant Secretary must report to specified congressional committees on the strike force's effectiveness.
- Scope: Applies to BLM-managed public lands and Forest Service-managed National Forest System lands.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new mandatory interagency strike force with enforcement duties, which did not previously exist.
- Requires agencies to prioritize communications use authorization reviews, potentially shifting resources from other land use permits.
- No direct amendments to prior laws, but builds on definitions from the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 and Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: BLM and Forest Service must expedite reviews, possibly reducing backlogs but increasing administrative workload; promotes interagency coordination.
- Citizens: Faster broadband deployment on federal lands could improve internet access in rural or remote areas, aiding connectivity for homes, businesses, and emergency services.
- Telecom Industry: Quicker approvals for infrastructure, lowering deployment costs and timelines.
- No direct international relations impact.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Department of Commerce (NTIA), Department of the Interior (BLM), Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).
- Telecommunications Providers: Companies seeking permits for facilities.
- Congressional Committees: Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, Commerce/Science/Transportation, Environment/Public Works, Agriculture (House/Senate).
- Rural/Remote Communities: Indirect beneficiaries of improved broadband.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Enhances administrative efficiency under existing land management laws; "communications use authorizations" must primarily support communications (not other purposes).
- Constitutional: Supports Commerce Clause authority over interstate communications infrastructure.
- Political: Promotes broadband expansion as a national priority, with bipartisan potential in infrastructure debates; includes accountability measures to prevent delays.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 384 - 9 (Roll no. 125). (text: CR H2971-2972) (Roll call 125)
- 2026-04-20: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 384 - 9 (Roll no. 125). (text: CR H2971-2972) (Roll call 125)
- 2026-04-20: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2978-2979)
- 2026-04-20: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- 2026-04-20: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1681.
- 2026-04-20: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2971-2973)
- 2026-04-20: Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2026-03-26: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 494.
- 2026-03-26: Committee on Agriculture discharged.
- 2026-03-26: Committee on Agriculture discharged.
- 2026-03-26: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-439, Part II.
- 2026-03-26: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-439, Part II.
- 2026-01-12: Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-439, Part I.
Bill Versions
- Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act — issued 2026-04-20 — PDF (8 pages)
- Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (6 pages)
- Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act — issued 2026-04-21 — PDF (6 pages)
- Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (8 pages)