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119-hr-2298119th CongressWALLET

Reducing Barriers for Broadband on Federal Lands Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]

Introduced

Summary

Exempts certain broadband projects in federal rights-of-way from key environmental and historic preservation reviews to speed construction and upgrades. This applies to wireline and wireless broadband infrastructure installed on federal land within a defined right-of-way and sets out related definitions.

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  • Families and communities: Projects in rights-of-way may reach homes faster because they face fewer NEPA and historic preservation reviews.
  • Broadband providers: Makes it easier to install fiber, copper, towers, buildings, and other broadband improvements on federal rights-of-way by removing those two major review hurdles.
  • Federal agencies and preservation interests: Federal authorizations for these rights-of-way projects may not be treated as a "major Federal action" under NEPA and such projects may not be considered an "undertaking" under the National Historic Preservation Act.
  • Scope note: "Right-of-way" covers areas on, below, or above roads and adjacent land but does not include parts of the Interstate System.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Faster broadband projects on federal land

This bill would let some broadband work on federal land skip certain environmental and historic reviews. It would apply only to projects in a right-of-way along roads, sidewalks, or similar areas. Interstate highway corridors are excluded. Getting a federal permit for these projects would not be treated as a major federal action under environmental law. These projects also would not count as an undertaking under historic-preservation law. The bill defines broadband project, broadband provider, federal authorization, and right-of-way to set the scope. Changes would take effect upon enactment. If enacted, this could cut permit time and costs and speed service upgrades near existing roads.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]

ID • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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