The "Standard FEES Act" mandates a uniform fee schedule for processing forms related to communications facilities on federal properties, based on direct agency costs, with exceptions considered for public benefit and broadband expansion.
Gary Palmer
Representative
AL-6
The "Standard FEES Act" aims to create a uniform fee schedule for processing applications to place communications facilities on federal properties. Fees will be based on direct processing costs and must be competitively neutral, with exceptions considered for public benefit and broadband expansion. The General Services Administration will establish the fee schedule, and executive agencies will adopt aligned regulations. Fees collected can only be used for processing these applications.
New 'Standard FEES Act' Aims to Streamline Cell Tower and Broadband Setup on Federal Property
The "Standard Fees to Expedite Evaluation and Streamlining Act," or "Standard FEES Act," is all about making it easier to put up communications equipment – think cell towers and broadband gear – on federal buildings and land. Basically, it's telling the government to create a standard price list for processing the paperwork involved in these projects.
Making Sense of the Setup
The core idea here is efficiency. Right now, different agencies might charge different fees for similar applications, which can be a headache for companies trying to expand service, especially broadband. This bill, amending Section 6409 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, forces the Administrator of General Services to come up with a single, uniform fee schedule. These fees need to be based on the actual cost to the agency for processing the forms (Section 2(a)(1)(A)) and must be "competitively neutral" (Section 2(a)(1)(A)(ii)) – meaning they shouldn't favor big companies over smaller ones.
Real-World Rollout
Imagine a small internet provider trying to bring faster service to a rural area. They need to put equipment on a federal building. Under this new system, they'd know exactly what fees to expect, making the whole process more predictable. No more surprise costs or wildly different charges from one agency to the next. The Administrator has 30 days from the bill's enactment to set this fee schedule (Section 2(a)(3)(A)).
But it's not all rigid. The bill allows for some exceptions to the standard fees. If a project has a clear "public benefit" – like expanding broadband internet access in underserved areas – the fees can be adjusted (Section 2(a)(1)(B)). This is a nod to the fact that better internet access is a big deal these days, for everything from remote work to online classes. The catch? Agencies can only grant these exceptions on a case-by-case basis (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
Where the Money Goes
Importantly, the fees collected can only be used to cover the costs of processing the relevant forms (Section 2(a)(4)(A)). They can't be funneled off to other projects. This is about making the system work better, not creating a new revenue stream for agencies.
The Big Picture
This bill is about cutting red tape and making it simpler to improve communication infrastructure, especially broadband. It fits into the larger push for better internet access across the country. While it seems like a mostly behind-the-scenes change, it could have a real impact on how quickly and efficiently new services are rolled out, particularly in areas that need it most. Executive agencies have 120 days to align their regulations with the Administrator's fee schedule (Section 2(a)(3)(B)).