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119-s-4561119th CongressWALLET

CLOSE THE GAP Act

Sponsored By: Senator Barrasso, John [R-WY]

In Committee

Summary

Would streamline and speed federal permitting to get broadband on Federal land faster. The bill would create uniform, technology‑neutral rules, online portals, and annual cost‑recovery fees to make permit decisions more predictable while preserving core environmental review safeguards.

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  • Families and communities: Could bring internet to unserved places sooner by pushing agencies to use FCC location data and to prioritize communications projects for right‑of‑way use.
  • Broadband companies and investors: Would provide a single online application portal and require agencies to accept an electronic SF‑299. It would also require public tracking of approvals and denials, allow annual fees tied only to processing and construction oversight costs, and set minimum lease terms of at least 30 years.
  • Federal land managers and regulators: Would force standardized processes across agencies, create a Federal Land Management Agency Working Group to coordinate reviews, require uniform data collection and a joint report to Congress, and establish a NEPA fast‑track exclusion for certain safety‑focused upgrades to existing facilities.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Faster federal permits and portals

If enacted, agencies would have one year to adopt uniform permit rules for communications on Federal land. If enacted, agencies would set up online portals that accept an electronic SF-299 within one year. If enacted, agencies would post application counts and processing times, give written denial reasons, and allow a chance to fix or appeal. If enacted, leases for communications sites would be at least 30 years. If enacted, a Federal land working group would meet and use FCC broadband location data to target unserved places.

Priority for communications construction projects

If enacted, the bill would redefine "communications project" as construction at a communications site. If enacted, communications projects could get FAST Act prioritization regardless of total investment amount. If enacted, other types of projects would still need likely investment over $200,000,000 to meet the same prioritization test.

Changes to wireless modification rules

If enacted, the bill would remove paragraph (3) from Section 6409(a) of that 2012 law. If enacted, that statutory change would alter the rules that apply to wireless facility owners and applicants. If enacted, the change could make permitting less certain or more costly for owners of wireless facilities.

Faster approvals, fewer environmental reviews

If enacted, the bill would bar NEPA review for communications equipment placed on existing infrastructure or on Federal land already studied. If enacted, agencies would not have to reinitiate NEPA consultations for previously analyzed land even if new information arises. If enacted, within 30 days agencies must adopt a categorical exclusion for safety and reliability upgrades to existing communications facilities.

New permit fee accounts for agencies

If enacted, each land agency would get a special Treasury account for fees tied to communications permits. If enacted, fees would be set annually and only cover documented processing and construction oversight costs. If enacted, agencies could collect and spend those fees only to the extent Congress provides money in advance. If enacted, account money could pay for permitting, training, site access, and planning to speed reviews.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Barrasso, John [R-WY]

WY • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 6/9/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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