DIGITAL Applications Act | ChamberLight

PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 1665Government buildings, facilities, and propertyLand use and conservation

DIGITAL Applications Act

INTRO FEB 27· LAST ACTION MAR 17

READING

3MIN

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LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 4 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it could significantly speed up the deployment of internet and cellular services in areas that currently lack them, particularly rural regions where much of the land is federally owned. By moving the permitting process for communications infrastructure onto online platforms, it could cut down on bureaucracy and reduce the time it takes to get approvals for projects like new cell towers or fiber optic lines.

If this bill passes, companies might be able to build essential communication networks more quickly, potentially leading to better and more widespread internet and phone access for communities. If it doesn't pass, the permitting process for these projects would likely continue through existing, possibly less efficient, methods, which could slow down infrastructure development.

KEY PROVISIONS

4AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture must create online portals.

This moves the application process for communications infrastructure permits online.

PROVISION 02

These portals will handle Form 299s for communications use authorizations on public and National Forest System lands.

This focuses the digital transformation on specific permits for essential infrastructure.

PROVISION 03

The agencies have one year from the bill's enactment to establish these online portals.

This sets a clear timeline for implementing the new digital systems.

PROVISION 04

The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information will publish links to these portals on a government website.

This ensures public access and awareness of the new online application systems.

SPONSORSHIP

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COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%

DEM 3 REP 0 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

21 EVENTS

MAR 17

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

SENATE · INTROREFERRAL

MAR 16

Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

HOUSE · FLOOR

MAR 16

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2511-2513)

FLOOR

MAR 16

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1665.

FLOOR

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 1665

Congress119th

StatusPassed House

IntroducedFeb 27, 2025

Last actionMar 17, 2026

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PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 27, 2025

House BillHR 1665Government buildings, facilities, and propertyLand use and conservation

DIGITAL Applications Act

INTRODUCED FEB 27, 2025· LAST ACTION MAR 17, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

3 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 4 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture must create online portals.

This moves the application process for communications infrastructure permits online.

high

These portals will handle Form 299s for communications use authorizations on public and National Forest System lands.

This focuses the digital transformation on specific permits for essential infrastructure.

med

The agencies have one year from the bill's enactment to establish these online portals.

This sets a clear timeline for implementing the new digital systems.

med

The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information will publish links to these portals on a government website.

This ensures public access and awareness of the new online application systems.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act

Secretaries concerned shall each establish an online portal.

Not later than 3 business days after the date on which an online portal has been established

Secretary shall notify the Assistant Secretary of the establishment of such portal.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Form 299: A specific application form used by companies to request permission to build or modify communications facilities on federal land.
Communications Use Authorization: Official permission (like a lease or right-of-way) granted by federal agencies to place or change communication equipment, such as cell towers or internet cables, on public land.
Communications Facility: Equipment or structures used for sending and receiving information, like antennas, cell towers, or fiber optic lines.
Covered Land: Specific federal property where the authorizations apply, including public lands and National Forest System land.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA): A federal agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues and manages federal use of the radio spectrum.

ACTION TIMELINE

21 EVENTS

MAR 17

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 16

Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

FLOOR

MAR 16

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2511-2513)

FLOOR

MAR 16

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1665.

FLOOR

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Committee Referrals

Agriculture CommitteeReferred

Feb 4, 2026

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DIGITAL Applications Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

DIGITAL Applications Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

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