This bill mandates improved tracking and timely processing for communications use applications while establishing a minimum cost threshold for broadband projects subject to major project review under NEPA.
John Thune
Senator
SD
The Accelerating Broadband Permits Act aims to speed up the deployment of broadband infrastructure by improving how federal agencies track and manage communications use applications. It mandates better data collection and requires agencies to analyze and report on any delays that cause applications to miss established processing deadlines. Furthermore, the bill updates the definition of a "major project" for broadband infrastructure to include projects over $5 million that require National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review.
Federal Agencies Must Now Track, Report, and Fix Broadband Permit Delays Under New Act
This bill, the Accelerating Broadband Permits Act, is all about getting high-speed internet infrastructure built faster by forcing the federal government to clean up its paperwork act. It focuses on two main things: making agencies track how long they take to approve permits for communications uses and updating the definition of what counts as a "major project" for broadband funding.
The Bureaucracy Gets a Stopwatch
Section 2 tackles the notorious delays in getting permits for things like installing new antennas or running fiber lines. Agencies that deal with these "communications use applications"—which are already supposed to be processed within 270 days—now have to maintain accurate and complete data on every application’s processing time. Think of it as a mandatory time clock for government paperwork. If an application starts dragging, the agency must immediately analyze why the delay is happening, take steps to fix the problem, and then report all the details to several key Congressional committees every year (Section 2). On top of that, agencies must set up an internal alert system to warn staff when an application is about to blow past that 270-day deadline. This is a direct attempt to force accountability and transparency on the administrative side of infrastructure buildout.
What This Means for Your Internet Speed
If you live in a rural area or a community where broadband access is still spotty, this tracking system matters. The goal is to eliminate the bureaucratic bottlenecks that can delay a new cell tower or fiber installation by months or even years. Faster permit approvals should theoretically lead to quicker deployment of new internet services. For the agencies themselves, however, this means a new administrative burden—they have to dedicate resources to the tracking, analysis, and annual reporting. But, hey, if it gets the job done and speeds up broadband access, most people will consider that a fair trade.
Defining a 'Major Project' Just Got Pricier
Section 3 updates the definition of a "major project" under the FAST Act, which governs how large infrastructure projects are reviewed. Previously, the definition was vague for broadband. Now, any broadband project that costs more than $5 million and requires a review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is automatically classified as a major project (Section 3). This is a significant change because being classified as a major project usually triggers more detailed environmental and planning oversight. For a company planning a five-mile fiber run that hits this cost threshold, it means they are automatically subject to more rigorous environmental review.
This $5 million trigger point creates a clearer standard for oversight: if you’re building something big and expensive that impacts the environment, you’re definitely getting the full regulatory review. While the intent of the bill is acceleration, this specific provision could potentially increase the administrative complexity and review time for those specific, large builds, ensuring that environmental concerns aren't overlooked simply because the project involves internet cables instead of highways.