BROADBAND Leadership Act
BROADBAND Leadership Act
Plain Language Summary
# BROADBAND Leadership Act Summary **What It Would Do:** This bill would limit how much power state and local governments have to regulate where telecommunications companies build or upgrade their infrastructure (like cell towers, fiber optic cables, and internet equipment). The bill prevents states and localities from treating different internet providers unfairly or blocking broadband improvements. However, states and localities could still charge reasonable fees to review requests or use public property. **Who It Affects:** The bill impacts internet and telecommunications companies seeking to expand or improve service, state and local governments that currently oversee these projects, and ultimately the public who may see faster broadband deployment. States and municipalities would lose some regulatory authority over how telecom infrastructure is placed in their communities. **Current Status:** The bill (HR 278) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Rep.
H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House. It has not advanced further at this time.
CRS Official Summary
Barriers and Regulatory Obstacles Avoids Deployment of Broadband Access and Needs Deregulatory Leadership Act or the BROADBAND Leadership ActThis bill limits the authority of a state or locality to regulate the placement, construction, or modification of telecommunications service facilities.States and localities may not discriminate in such regulations among providers of telecommunications services, including based on the technology used to provide services. In addition, states and localities may not regulate in a manner that effectively prohibits the provision or improvement of interstate or intrastate telecommunications services.However, states and localities may charge reasonable, cost-based fees (1) to review requests to place, construct, or modify telecommunications service facilities; or (2) for the use of property owned or managed by the state or locality for the placement, construction, or modification of those facilities.States or localities must respond to requests to place, construct, or modify facilities and for other related actions by specified deadlines. Such deadlines may only be tolled by a mutual agreement between the applicant and the state or locality, or in the event that the application is incomplete and requires a supplemental submission. If a decision is not made by the deadline, the request is deemed to be approved. Further, denials of requests must be made in writing, supported by evidence, and promptly released to the public.A person adversely affected by an alleged violation of these provisions may petition the courts for expedited review of the actions of the state or locality.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.