Several Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee are working to expand broadband services for rural Americans, including U.S. Reps. Mimi Walters of California, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Committee Chairman Greg Walden of Oregon, and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.
For instance, members recently introduced House bills that stand to benefit rural Americans who need broadband access for high-speed internet services that allow for telecommuting, telemedicine services, online education, and entertainment, and two lawmakers used the power of the pen to advocate for 21st century rural broadband infrastructure.
Rep. Walters on Jan. 16 introduced the Communications Facilities Deployment on Federal Property Act of 2018, H.R. 4795, which would promote and speed the building of communications facilities on federal property via streamlined and/or improved approval processes, application forms, contracts (such as leases) and fee guidelines, according to a bill summary provided by the Energy and Commerce Committee.
The proposal awaits consideration by both the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
On the same day, Rep. Kinzinger introduced the Streamlining and Expediting Approval for Communications Technologies Act, H.R. 4802, another bill aimed at enhancing how federal agencies review and approve applications for installing communications technology on federally owned lands.
The congressman’s office said the legislation, which could become part of an infrastructure bill in Congress, aims to make processes more efficient. “I am dedicated to working with my colleagues on improving infrastructure across the United States,” Kinzinger said. “Our effort must include provisions to enhance access to broadband services, especially in rural areas.”
“Public and private investment in broadband are critical, and the government must not impede these efforts,” Kinzinger added.
H.R. 4802 would require the senior real property officer of covered agencies to track, record and report on specified data contained in the applications submitted for locating or modifying communications facilities located on each agency’s federal land, according to an Energy and Commerce Committee summary. The data would include how many applications were submitted, how many were approved or denied, and how much money an agency spent reviewing applications, the summary said.
In addition, Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) introduced the Inventory of Assets for Communications of Facilities Act of 2018, H.R. 4798. The measure would create a federal registry of assets that could be leased and used to install broadband infrastructure. The inventory would improve coordination between federal, state, local governments and carriers, Collins’ office said.
“Right now, there are far too many barriers deterring broadband companies from expanding in rural communities,” said Rep. Blackburn, who chairs the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, in the statement accompanying the bill summaries. “It’s expensive, time-consuming, and complicated.”
“That’s why it’s so important this first round of bills is tackling the issues head on — we’re simplifying federal permits and requirements, and cleaning up redundant and confusing processes,”
Blackburn added. “After all, we need to be making it easier, not harder, to expand broadband connectivity to all Americans.”
H.R. 4802 is pending before the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure; Oversight and Government Reform; and Energy and Commerce.
Along with Rep. Walden, Blackburn also published a Jan. 16 op-ed on Medium.com supporting broadband expansion, pointing out that “The internet is an easy thing to take for granted, when you have it.”
But it’s not that easy for everyone, the lawmakers wrote. “Despite how ubiquitous it seems in some parts of the country, 39 percent of Americans living in rural areas, or approximately 23 million people, lack sufficient access to high-speed broadband,” wrote Walden and Blackburn. “That means a sizeable portion of the U.S., including in our districts in Oregon and Tennessee, is missing out on a transformative and necessary part of today’s economy.”
The members of Congress also noted that legislation will be rolled out “in three buckets: removing barriers to infrastructure buildout, supporting innovation, and strengthening the public safety benefits that come with access to broadband internet.”
The committee leaders also expressed their desire for a bipartisan process.
“We want to incorporate a range of ideas and have conversations with both sides of the aisle,” they wrote. “With an issue as important as broadband infrastructure, we also hope to work closely on our shared goals with the other House committees who can help build a bigger legislative package that reflects President Trump’s vision for a new era in American competitiveness.”
Allowing rural America to fall behind is not an option, they said.