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S4448119th CongressWALLET

Accelerating Broadband Permits Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Thune, John [R-SD]

In Committee

Summary

Transparency and accountability for broadband buildouts. This bill creates public BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) progress dashboards, a federal permit-tracking tool for subgrantees, strengthened data controls and alerts for 6409(b)(3) communications application timelines, and new National Environmental Policy Act review rules for large broadband projects.

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  • Families and households will get clearer public data showing where BEAD grant money has been spent and where service is available and actually used, making it easier to spot gaps in deployment.
  • BEAD-eligible entities, local governments, and providers gain a tracking tool that identifies applicable federal permits for each subgrantee and monitors progress, plus alerts to flag at-risk applications so projects can better meet the 270-day processing deadline.
  • Federal agencies and project planners must put data controls in place within 90 days, analyze and report delay factors annually to Congress, and treat projects likely to cost over $5 million as candidates for NEPA review to improve oversight and environmental consideration.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Faster tracking of permit application delays

If enacted, the Assistant Secretary would require data controls within 90 days to ensure agencies can accurately track processing time for communications use applications. The bill would also require analyzing delay factors, taking corrective actions, and sending an annual report to four congressional committees. Within 90 days, the Assistant Secretary would also set up a method to alert staff when an application risks missing the 270-day deadline.

Public BEAD progress dashboard

If enacted, the Assistant Secretary would publish a public dashboard for each BEAD eligible entity. The dashboard would show how much BEAD grant money each entity has spent. It would also show how many locations got broadband service with those funds and how many of those locations are using the service. This requirement would take effect upon enactment.

NEPA review for large broadband builds

If enacted, projects that build broadband infrastructure and are likely to require more than $5,000,000 in total investment would meet the criterion for NEPA applicability. That means such projects would be treated as subject to NEPA review. This could extend review timelines and raise compliance costs for developers and grantees, while increasing environmental review protections for affected communities. This change would take effect upon enactment.

Tool to track federal permits

If enacted, the Assistant Secretary would create a centralized tool to help each BEAD eligible entity identify which Federal permits each subgrantee needs. The tool would also let eligible entities monitor each subgrantee's progress toward getting those permits. This provision would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Thune, John [R-SD]

SD • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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