PLAN for Broadband Act
PLAN for Broadband Act
Plain Language Summary
# PLAN for Broadband Act Summary **What the Bill Does:** The PLAN for Broadband Act would require the federal government to create a coordinated national strategy for broadband development. Currently, multiple federal agencies run separate broadband programs without much coordination. This bill directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to develop a unified plan, publish it for public feedback, and ensure federal agencies work together more effectively. The bill also aims to speed up the process for companies applying to build broadband infrastructure on federal land by identifying and removing bureaucratic delays. **Key Provisions and Who It Affects:** The bill includes limits on how much federal money can go to support broadband at any single location, particularly for programs that favor certain technologies over others.
This affects broadband companies seeking federal funding, federal agencies managing broadband programs, and ultimately rural and underserved communities hoping to gain internet access. By streamlining coordination and reducing approval delays, the bill is intended to help get broadband infrastructure built faster across the country. **Current Status:** The bill (S. 323) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act or the PLAN for Broadband ActThis bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to develop and implement a national strategy to improve the coordination and management of federal broadband programs and agency consideration of applications to build or maintain broadband infrastructure on federal property. The NTIA must also develop and publish for public comment a plan for the implementation of the national strategy. Among other requirements, the implementation plan must establish, for federal broadband programs that are not technologically neutral (i.e., programs that involve a preference for certain broadband technologies), a ceiling on the amount of funding that may be awarded to support the provision of broadband service to a single location. The bill also requires executive branch agencies to identify and address factors that contribute to delays in their review of applications for easements, rights-of-way, or leases related to communications infrastructure projects on federal property. (Under current law, agencies are generally required to act on such applications within 270 days.) Agencies must also establish methods to alert employees when the agency is at risk of failing to meet the 270-day deadline with respect to a particular application. Finally, the bill lowers the cost threshold for certain broadband infrastructure projects to qualify as covered projects under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act from $200 million to $5 million. Such projects qualify for expedited federal environmental review.
Latest Action
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.