American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2289

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-04-15: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 532.

Last Updated

2026-04-21T21:41:23Z

AI-Generated Summary

American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 (H.R. 2289)

Purpose

The legislation aims to speed up the permitting and approval processes for building, modifying, and deploying broadband, wireless, wireline, and cable communications infrastructure across the U.S. It reduces regulatory delays by setting firm deadlines for state, local, and federal reviews, limiting discriminatory practices, and exempting many projects from lengthy environmental and historic preservation reviews.

Key Provisions

• Title I: State and Local Siting Processes
• Preserves local zoning authority but bans discrimination among providers or technologies.
• Sets strict "shot clock" timelines (60-150 days, depending on facility type and use of existing structures) for approving wireless and wireline facility requests; requests are deemed granted if deadlines are missed.
• Allows tolling (pausing) only for incomplete applications (with specific notice requirements) or mutual agreement (up to 30 days).
• Denials must be written, evidence-based, and public; fees must be reasonable and nondiscriminatory.
• Expands "eligible facilities requests" (under prior law) to include wireline modifications and resiliency upgrades.

• Title II: Cable
• Requires franchising authorities (often local governments) to approve/deny new cable franchises within 120 days (deemed granted if missed).
• Similar timelines and rules for cable equipment placement/construction.
• Makes franchises perpetual (no automatic expiration or renewal); terminable only for cause (e.g., willful violation after cure opportunity) or by operator request.
• Eases system sales/transfers without franchising authority approval if buyer accepts terms.

• Title III: Environmental and Historic Preservation Reviews
• Exempts many covered projects (e.g., small wireless facilities, collocations on existing structures, disaster recovery builds, floodplain/brownfield deployments) from NEPA (requires environmental impact statements for major federal actions) and NHPA (requires review for effects on historic sites).
• Creates presumption of tribal consultation compliance if FCC forms are submitted and tribes don't respond in 45 days.
• Exempts certain federal easements/rights-of-way for communications on federal property.

• Title IV: Other Matters
• Adds timelines and deemed grant rules for federal agencies processing easements/leases (90 days).
• Requires a report on local fees for broadband infrastructure funded by federal grants.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Tightens Timelines: Replaces vague prior "reasonable time" standards with mandatory deadlines across Communications Act sections 332, 253, 6409, and cable provisions; introduces "deemed approved/granted" mechanisms.
• Expands Exemptions: Broadens Section 6409 "eligible facilities" to wireline and resiliency; adds NEPA/NHPA exemptions for dozens of project types previously requiring review.
• Alters Cable Franchises: Eliminates renewal processes and fixed terms; limits revocation to strict "for cause" standards with FCC/court review.
• FCC Authority: Makes FCC rules/interpretations binding on courts; requires FCC to issue implementing rules within 180 days.
• Applies Retroactively: Many provisions cover pending requests/applications.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Federal agencies (e.g., FCC, land managers) face faster processing mandates; state/local governments lose flexibility, risk automatic approvals and lawsuits.
• Citizens: Quicker broadband/wireless expansion could improve internet access, especially in rural/underserved areas, but may increase facilities in communities with less local input on aesthetics or environment.
• No Direct International Relations Impact: Focuses on domestic infrastructure.
• Providers: Reduced delays lower costs, accelerate 5G/broadband rollout.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Telecommunications Providers (wireless carriers, cable operators, broadband firms): Primary beneficiaries via streamlined approvals.
• State/Local Governments and Franchising Authorities: Restricted authority, mandatory timelines, potential liability for missed deadlines.
• Federal Agencies (FCC, executive agencies managing federal lands): Enhanced oversight and processing duties.
• Citizens and Communities: Gain better service; some may oppose unchecked builds.
• Indian Tribes: Streamlined consultations with presumptions of compliance.
• Environmental/Historic Groups: Fewer reviews for certain projects.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Provides expedited judicial review (30 days to file, fast-tracked hearings); FCC preemption power over violating local laws; "deemed granted" clauses shift power from regulators to applicants.
• Constitutional: Reinforces federal preemption over local zoning under Commerce Clause but preserves core local authority (e.g., safety/aesthetics), potentially testing 10th Amendment limits on state police powers.
• Political: Pro-business reform favoring infrastructure expansion (e.g., for 5G); could spark debates on local control vs. national broadband goals; no partisan markers in text, but backed by industry sponsors.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

Cosponsors (14)

Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12], Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12], Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13], Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-04-15: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 532.
• 2026-04-15: Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
• 2026-04-15: Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
• 2026-04-15: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-614, Part I.
• 2026-04-15: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-614, Part I.
• 2025-12-03: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 24.
• 2025-12-03: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-11-18: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 12.
• 2025-11-18: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-03-24: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
• 2025-03-24: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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.
• 2025-03-24: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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.
• 2025-03-24: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Proportional Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act — issued 2025-03-24 — PDF (3 pages)
• American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 — issued 2026-04-15 — PDF (100 pages)