Armstrong proposes bill to study, improve federal broadband permitting

Bipartisan legislation offered by U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) would require both the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to each study any existing barriers to the review of federal broadband permitting.

“Reliable broadband infrastructure is essential for rural states like North Dakota,” Rep. Armstrong said. “In our state, broadband infrastructure often crosses federal lands, requiring federal permits, which can take years to achieve, preventing many rural and tribal communities from getting the broadband access they need. This bill streamlines the permitting process and makes it easier for communities to increase connectivity.”

Rep. Armstrong on May 15 sponsored the Enhancing Administrative Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act, H.R. 3294, alongside original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) to direct the secretaries to develop a plan for providing the staffing necessary to ensure timely review of communications use authorizations, according to the text of the bill.

The studies required by the secretaries under H.R. 3294 would be required to determine if there are programmatic or administrative barriers to the timely review of requests for communications use authorizations; if there are revisions to rules or regulations that could be implemented to improve efficiency with respect to reviewing requests for communications use authorizations; and if there are processes for prioritizing the review of requests for communications use authorizations, the text says. 

“We must ensure the federal government is fully aware of the barriers our local communities face when it comes to accessing broadband,” said Rep. Vasquez. “I’m proud to work with Rep. Armstrong to cut red tape to increase our constituents’ access to broadband.”