GRANTED Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 1836

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-04: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on 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.

Last Updated

2026-04-01T14:32:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The GRANTED Act of 2025 aims to expedite the approval process for installing communications facilities (such as cell towers or fiber optic lines) on federal lands by amending existing law. It ensures that federal agencies must act promptly on applications for easements, rights-of-way, or leases, with automatic approval if they fail to decide within set deadlines. This is intended to reduce delays in building telecommunications infrastructure.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The bill is officially titled the "Granting Remaining Applications Not Treated Efficiently or Delayed Act of 2025" or "GRANTED Act of 2025."
• Amendment to Existing Law: It modifies Section 6409(b)(3) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (codified at 47 U.S.C. § 1455(b)(3)), which governs applications to executive agencies for rights to use federal property for communications facilities.
• Replaces the term "duly filed" with "complete" to clarify when an application triggers the review process.
• Introduces a deemed grant rule: If an agency does not approve or deny a complete application by the existing deadline (typically 180 days, though not specified in this bill), the application is automatically considered granted the day after the deadline.
• Defines application completeness: An application is deemed complete if the applicant starts the submission process per agency rules and does not receive a written notice from the agency within 30 days identifying missing information. If no notice is sent, completeness is assumed after 30 days.
• Specifies when a complete application is considered "received": On the date all required information is submitted, or the day after the 30-day notice period if no deficiencies are flagged.
• Applicability: The changes apply only to applications received by executive agencies on or after the date the bill is enacted into law.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• From Manual to Automatic Approval: Previously, agencies had discretion to approve, deny, or delay applications without a strict consequence for inaction. This bill adds an automatic "deemed granted" mechanism, forcing timely decisions or default approval.
• Streamlined Completeness Standards: Shifts from requiring a "duly filed" status (which agencies could interpret broadly) to a more applicant-friendly definition of "complete," reducing opportunities for agencies to stall by questioning filings.
• These updates build on the 2012 Act's framework for facilitating communications infrastructure but introduce enforceable timelines to address perceived bureaucratic delays.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Executive agencies (e.g., Department of the Interior or Defense, which manage federal lands) will face increased pressure to process applications quickly, potentially straining resources but promoting efficiency in infrastructure reviews.
• On Citizens: Could lead to faster rollout of broadband and wireless services in rural or underserved areas with federal lands, improving internet access and connectivity for the public.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it may indirectly support U.S. telecommunications competitiveness by accelerating domestic 5G and future network expansions, which could influence global tech standards.
• No broad economic or fiscal effects are outlined, but it targets delays in a sector vital for economic growth.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Communications Providers: Primary beneficiaries, including telecom companies (e.g., Verizon, AT&T) seeking to install facilities on federal property; they gain certainty and speed in approvals.
• Executive Agencies: Entities like the Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service, which must adapt processes to meet deadlines and handle potential deemed grants.
• Federal Land Users: Could include environmental groups or local communities concerned about infrastructure on public lands, as automatic approvals might limit public input or environmental reviews.
• General Public: Indirectly affected through enhanced communications services, particularly in areas where federal lands block traditional deployments.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Introduces a "deemed approval" doctrine in administrative law, similar to mechanisms in environmental permitting (e.g., under the Clean Water Act), which could set precedents for other infrastructure sectors. It clarifies procedural rights for applicants but may lead to litigation if agencies challenge deemed grants on grounds like national security or environmental protection.
• Constitutional Implications: Balances property interests (federal lands as public trust) with private sector needs under the Commerce Clause, potentially raising Fifth Amendment takings concerns if automatic approvals override agency expertise without due process. However, it aligns with Congress's authority to regulate federal property use.
• Political Implications: Reflects bipartisan interest in infrastructure efficiency (introduced by Rep. Obernolte, R-CA), amid pushes for broadband expansion post-COVID. It could politicize agency workloads but neutrally advances the 2012 Act's goals without altering core oversight requirements. Referred to House committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce for review.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-04: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
• 2025-03-04: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
• 2025-03-04: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Granting Remaining Applications Not Treated Efficiently or Delayed Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-04 — PDF (5 pages)