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119-s-323119th CongressWALLET

PLAN for Broadband Act

Sponsored By: Senator Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

In Committee

Summary

A national strategy to synchronize federal broadband programs is required, directing NTIA to coordinate funding, streamline permitting on federal land, and tighten program reporting while lowering the NEPA review threshold to $5 million for broadband projects.

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  • Families and households: Aims to expand high-speed, affordable service by reducing duplicate funding and using the Deployment Locations Map to target unserved locations.
  • Federal agencies and permit applicants: Requires agencies to identify delay causes, alert staff when a 270-day review is at risk, and coordinate common permitting policies to speed projects on federal property.
  • Tribal, state, and local program managers: Forces clearer roles, shared data, fraud-prevention steps, and a plan to set a maximum per-location subsidy for certain programs while allowing consideration for high-cost and Tribal areas.

*Includes GAO study, periodic briefings, and reporting requirements to track progress and accountability while preserving existing FCC authority over broadband internet access service.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

National broadband coordination plan

If enacted, the Assistant Secretary would have to deliver a National Strategy to Synchronize Federal Broadband Programs within 1 year. The Strategy would list federal and relevant state, local, and Tribal broadband programs, set roles and performance measures, and recommend a maximum subsidy per single location while allowing higher amounts for high-cost and Tribal areas. The Assistant Secretary would also have to submit an Implementation Plan within 120 days of the Strategy, require use of the Deployment Locations Map for awards, and include fraud prevention and accountability steps. The draft Implementation Plan would be open for at least 60 days of public comment.

Agency reports on deployment data

If enacted, each covered agency would have to report to the Assistant Secretary and Congress within 60 days after enactment about steps taken since May 15, 2023 to submit data to the Deployment Locations Map. Each report would say how complete and timely the agency's data submissions are and list outstanding challenges with those submissions. The reports aim to improve mapping so awards avoid already-served locations.

GAO study of broadband coordination

If enacted, the Government Accountability Office would study the Strategy and Implementation Plan not later than 1 year after the Plan is submitted. The GAO study would look at how well federal programs are coordinated, check performance goals, and identify awards made in areas already served or awards duplicative with state, local, or Tribal programs. GAO would report findings and suggest program changes to Congress.

Faster permit tracking and reports

If enacted, agencies that process certain communications permit applications would have to improve their processing-time tracking and data quality. Agencies would analyze delay factors as they occur, send an annual report on delays to relevant Congressional committees, and implement a method to alert staff to applications at risk of missing the 270-day deadline. The changes aim to shorten permit delays and speed deployment.

NEPA threshold for broadband projects

If enacted, the bill would set a $5,000,000 investment threshold so that any broadband construction project subject to NEPA and likely to cost more than $5 million would meet the NEPA project-cost trigger. This would apply to federal, state, local, Tribal, and private sponsors seeking permits or funding. Project sponsors could see more projects require environmental review and face longer permitting timelines.

No government broadband regulation power

If enacted, the bill would state that nothing in the Act grants federal, state, local, or Tribal governments authority to regulate broadband internet access service. The provision would preserve current limits on who can make rules about broadband service.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

MS • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 1/29/2025

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 1/29/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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