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119-hr-2975119th CongressWALLET

Broadband Incentives for Communities Act

Sponsored By: Representative Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]

Introduced

Summary

Speeding local zoning and permitting to accelerate broadband buildout. This bill would create a competitive grant program to help state, local, and Tribal governments process zoning and permitting applications faster so fiber and 5G projects can be built sooner.

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  • Families and communities: Faster approvals in participating jurisdictions would help bring broadband to underserved rural and low-income areas and build on the $42.5 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act broadband funds.
  • Local governments and Tribal entities: Grants would fund hiring, training, and technology to improve permit review. Eligible jurisdictions must adopt written policies for efficient reviews and set fees that are uniform and tied to actual, objectively reasonable costs.
  • Broadband providers and builders: Covered jurisdictions would use expedited processes and policies that allow techniques like micro-trenching and reuse of existing infrastructure, shortening deployment timelines.
  • Stakeholders: The bill would create a Local Broadband Advisory Council of industry, infrastructure providers, and local officials to develop solutions and deliver a report within one year.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Grants to speed local broadband permits

The bill would set up competitive grants for local and Tribal governments to speed zoning and permit reviews for broadband. The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information would run the program. Applicants would need to show they are ready, use efficient, federally compliant review processes, allow methods like micro-trenching, and limit or publish permit fees. Grant money could pay for staff hiring and training, plus software, technology, and equipment, including for remote processing. The bill would also define who can apply and which permit types qualify.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]

TX • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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