§1504 Broadband infrastructure deployment

Summary

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to make rules so each State that gets money under chapter 1 of title 23 follows steps to help install broadband alongside highway projects that start after the rules take effect. The State department of transportation, working with other State agencies, must pick a broadband utility coordinator, set up a way for broadband companies to register, send those companies an annual electronic notice about the State transportation improvement program and extra notices when needed, and coordinate these efforts with statewide telecom, transportation, and land-use plans to reduce repeated digging. If a State allows broadband work in a federal-aid highway right-of-way, the State must not treat existing broadband companies worse than others. Appropriate State agency — a State agency recognized by the State’s executive branch to handle broadband projects. Broadband infrastructure — buried, underground, aerial, wired, or wireless facilities or connections that carry voice, video, data, or graphics. Broadband infrastructure entity — an entity that installs, owns, or operates such infrastructure and provides broadband service as the State requires. State — a State, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This only applies to projects approved on or after the rules take effect. It does not force a State to allow broadband in a highway right-of-way and does not let the Secretary withhold or reserve title 23 funds or approvals.