Coastal Broadband Deployment Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2817
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-10: 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.
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-19T13:46:49Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Coastal Broadband Deployment Act (H.R. 2817) aims to speed up the deployment and modification of communications infrastructure, such as broadband facilities, in flood-prone areas by exempting these projects from specific federal environmental and historical reviews. This is intended to facilitate faster access to reliable internet and communication services in coastal or flood-risk regions without unnecessary regulatory delays.
Key Provisions
- Exemption from NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act): Projects qualifying as "covered projects" are not treated as "major Federal actions," meaning they do not require environmental impact statements or similar assessments under NEPA, which generally mandates federal agencies to evaluate potential environmental effects of their actions.
- Exemption from NHPA (National Historic Preservation Act): These projects are not considered "undertakings" under NHPA, avoiding reviews to protect historic or cultural sites.
- Definition of Covered Project: Applies to the deployment or modification of a "communications facility" (e.g., cell towers, antennas, or similar infrastructure as defined in existing federal law) that occurs entirely within a "floodplain" (low-lying areas at risk of flooding, per federal regulations). The project must require approval from or fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- Federal Authorization Scope: Covers any permits, licenses, approvals, or other federal permissions needed for the project.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends application of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4332) and NHPA (54 U.S.C. 300320) by creating categorical exemptions for floodplain-based communications projects, overriding standard review requirements that previously applied to FCC-regulated infrastructure.
- Builds on prior laws like the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, which defines communications facilities, but introduces a new, targeted carve-out for floodplains to reduce bureaucratic hurdles not previously specified.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The FCC and other federal bodies (e.g., those handling environmental or historic reviews) will face reduced workload and faster processing times for approvals, potentially streamlining operations but limiting oversight on environmental or cultural risks.
- On Citizens: Could improve broadband access in flood-prone areas, benefiting rural or coastal communities with better internet for education, work, and emergency communications; however, it may increase risks of unassessed flood damage to infrastructure or nearby properties.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. communications infrastructure could indirectly support national security or disaster response in regions affected by climate-related flooding.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Telecommunications Companies and Providers: Primary beneficiaries, as they can deploy or upgrade facilities (e.g., for 5G or broadband) more quickly without extensive reviews.
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Directly involved in approvals, gaining efficiency in permitting processes.
- Environmental and Preservation Groups: Potentially adversely affected, as reduced reviews could overlook ecological or historical harms in sensitive floodplain areas.
- Local Communities in Floodplains: Residents and businesses in coastal or riverine zones may gain better connectivity but face unmitigated risks from development in high-flood areas.
- Federal Agencies like EPA or Advisory Council on Historic Preservation: Indirectly impacted through bypassed consultations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Creates a narrow exception to landmark environmental laws (NEPA and NHPA), potentially setting a precedent for sector-specific deregulations in infrastructure projects; could face challenges if seen as undermining statutory mandates for public input or risk assessment.
- Constitutional: Aligns with congressional authority to regulate interstate commerce (including communications), but might raise due process concerns if exemptions lead to unaddressed harms without adequate public notice.
- Political: Reflects priorities for infrastructure modernization amid climate change and digital equity debates; introduced by Rep. Bilirakis (R-FL), it targets coastal states vulnerable to flooding, possibly advancing partisan goals for reduced regulation while drawing criticism from environmental advocates for prioritizing speed over sustainability.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-10: 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.
- 2025-04-10: 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.
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Coastal Broadband Deployment Act — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (3 pages)