American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
In Committee
Summary
Would speed up broadband and cell-site deployments by imposing strict local review deadlines and expanding an expedited approval rule to wireline projects. It would set firm approval clocks, narrow some environmental and historic preservation reviews for defined projects, and limit the fees and conditions local authorities can require.
Show full summary
- States and local governments would keep general zoning authority but face tight deadlines and new evidence rules when denying requests. Decisions could be required in as few as 60 days and as long as 150 days depending on the type of request, and missed deadlines are treated as approvals.
- Wireless, wireline, and cable providers would gain faster paths to modify existing facilities. Eligible wireless or wireline changes would be deemed approved after 60 days if not acted on, and cable franchise requests would be deemed granted after 120 days.
- Indian Tribes and environmental reviewers would see shortened windows and limited review for many enumerated “covered projects.” The bill creates a 45-day presumption for tribal responses to certain consultation forms and lists covered project types including small facilities and disaster recovery.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Cable franchise rules and protections
If enacted, the bill would require franchising authorities to decide new franchise or modification requests within 120 days or the request is treated as granted. Cable franchises would remain in effect until revoked under strict, for-cause rules and operators could seek to remove or change franchise requirements for good cause. The bill would limit revocations, allow appeals and stays, require fair market value if an authority acquires ownership after revocation, and require 15 days' notice before certain transfers.
Faster permit deadlines and enforcement
If enacted, the bill would set firm review deadlines and "deemed approved" rules for many communications permit requests. It would expand 60-day deemed approval rules, require 90- or 150-day decisions in many cases, and set 120-day rules for some franchise actions. The bill would limit how and when governments can toll those deadlines and require fast, written denials with evidence. It would also allow expedited court review within short windows to enforce missed deadlines and let cable operators make emergency repairs with prompt notice.
Limits on local rules and RF-based bans
If enacted, the bill would bar state and local rules that pick winners by technology or favor certain providers when siting telecom facilities. It would also stop state or local restrictions based on radiofrequency emissions where equipment meets FCC RF rules. The bill would prevent exclusive or preferential use of sites and would bar local rules that effectively stop wireless improvements, while preserving the FCC's NEPA responsibilities.
Shorter environmental and tribal reviews
If enacted, Federal authorizations for many covered communications projects would not be treated as a "major Federal action" under NEPA and would not be an "undertaking" under the historic-preservation law. The bill would also create a 45-day presumption that a Tribe has waived review if it does not act on a complete FCC Form 620 or 621, though the Tribe could rebut that presumption with specific facts.
Which projects get fast treatment
If enacted, the bill would define which work counts as a "covered project" and set size and location limits for fast treatment. New small rights-of-way facilities could not be taller than 50 feet or 10 feet taller than nearby structures, and site expansions would generally be limited to 30 feet. The bill also defines eligible support infrastructure, covered easements, small wireless facilities, and wireline backhaul facilities for streamlined rules.
Fair fees and fee reporting for projects
If enacted, the bill would limit what fees state and local governments may charge for reviewing communications siting requests. Fees would have to be neutral, publicly disclosed, and based only on actual, objectively reasonable costs; such fees would not count as franchise fees. The bill would also require a report within 180 days listing fees charged to projects using certain federal broadband grants and flagging fees that do not meet the standards.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
GA • R
Cosponsors
Crenshaw
TX • R
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Allen
GA • R
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]
VA • R
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Latta
OH • R
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]
IN • R
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7]
SC • R
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
TX • R
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Goldman (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]
FL • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Obernolte
CA • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Balderson
OH • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Bilirakis
FL • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Joyce (PA)
PA • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]
TN • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov