# 119-s-3268: Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act

119-s-3268, Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN] (R-TN); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3268
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-3268
- Congress: 119
- Title: Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-11-20
- Sponsor: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN] (R-TN)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## Summary

**Streamlined deployment of broadband and telecommunications facilities in railroad rights-of-way.** This bill would set clear notice and application rules, fixed response and start-time deadlines, and limits on charges when placing or modifying facilities along or across railroad corridors. - Providers: Providers could install facilities where public rights-of-way intersect railroad corridors after a written notification instead of a separate application. Work could begin no earlier than 15 days after notice and no later than 30 days after notice unless both sides agree, and providers cannot be forced to buy extra insurance. - Railroad carriers: Railroad carriers would have to approve or deny complete applications for work inside railroad rights-of-way within 60 days. Denials would be limited to cases that cause substantial interference or safety risks, and compensation to carriers would be limited to actual costs directly incurred. - Regulators and safety oversight: Either party could petition the Federal Communications Commission for relief and the FCC would have exclusive authority to resolve disputes with final orders generally within 90 days. The FCC must issue implementing rules within 1 year, coordinate with the Federal Railroad Administration, and enter a memorandum of understanding on safety within 60 days.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] (D-NM), 2025-11-20T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- State/local notice and no railroad fee: benefit, low. If enacted, the bill would let a provider with State or local permission to place broadband where a public road crosses a railroad send a written notice to the railroad instead of filing a full railroad application. The notice must list location, proposed start date, how long work will take, entry…
- No change to union labor agreements: benefit, low. If enacted, the bill would say that nothing in this section or its rules can create, end, or change any agreement covered by the Railway Labor Act between a railroad and its union.
- Railroad right-of-way application rules: mixed, medium. If enacted, the bill would require a provider to file a written application to place or modify equipment inside a railroad right-of-way. The application would need engineering plans, location, start date, duration, entry and exit points, and contact information. The railroad must approve or deny a…
- FCC rules, petitions, and key definitions: mixed, medium. If enacted, the bill would let railroads and providers ask the FCC to resolve disputes over denials, delays, or compensation. The FCC would be the sole Federal agency for these petitions and generally must issue a final order within 90 days. The FCC could use technical experts and require cost reim…

## Related bills

- 119-s-4744: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
- 119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act
- 119-s-1874: Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-725: Enhancing First Response Act
- 119-s-1746: Quantum LEAP Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-s-3268 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3268)

## Related
- [119-s-4744: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4744)
- [119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3597)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [119-s-1874: Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1874)
- [119-s-725: Enhancing First Response Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-725)
- [119-s-1746: Quantum LEAP Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1746)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3268 (as of 2026-09-10).