Bills · HR 1681
PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 1681Government buildings, facilities, and propertyLand use and conservation
Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act
INTRO FEB 27· LAST ACTION APR 21
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
2
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- One chamber only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 4 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because reliable internet access is crucial for modern life, yet many parts of the U.S., particularly rural areas, still lack it. A major hurdle for expanding broadband can be the lengthy and complex process of getting permits to install equipment on federal lands. By creating a dedicated task force to push federal agencies to speed up these reviews, the bill aims to remove a significant bottleneck.
If this bill becomes law, it could accelerate the deployment of broadband internet, leading to improved access for education, telehealth, and economic opportunities in underserved communities. If it doesn't pass, the current, potentially slow, permit review processes would likely continue, potentially delaying broadband expansion to millions of Americans.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to establish an interagency strike force within 180 days of the bill becoming law.
This creates a new, dedicated government body specifically focused on accelerating broadband infrastructure permitting.
PROVISION 02
Mandates that the strike force ensure federal land management agencies prioritize reviewing requests for communications use authorizations.
This directly targets the core issue of slow permit approvals for broadband equipment on federal lands.
PROVISION 03
Directs the strike force to establish objective and reasonable goals for reviewing these requests and to monitor agencies' progress.
This introduces accountability and measurable targets to ensure federal agencies are effectively speeding up the process.
PROVISION 04
Requires the Assistant Secretary to submit a report to Congress within 270 days on the effectiveness of the strike force.
This provides oversight and transparency, allowing Congress to assess whether the new process is working as intended.
PROVISION 05
Clearly defines the specific 'Federal land management agencies' covered by the bill as the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service.
This ensures that the mandate for prioritized reviews applies to the key agencies responsible for large tracts of federal land.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
R· Colorado
YRS IN OFFICE
1
BILLS LED
26
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 29%
DEM 2 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
33 EVENTSAPR 21
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
APR 20
Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
APR 20
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2971-2973)
APR 20
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1681.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 1681
Congress119th
StatusPassed House
IntroducedFeb 27, 2025
Last actionApr 21, 2026
READER REACTIONS
OVERALL SENTIMENT
No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.
Discussion
Loading comments...
PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS · NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 27, 2025
House BillHR 1681Government buildings, facilities, and propertyLand use and conservation
Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act
INTRODUCED FEB 27, 2025· LAST ACTION APR 21, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
