House BillHR 1731Government buildings, facilities, and propertyUser charges and fees
Standard FEES Act
INTRO FEB 27· LAST ACTION FEB 4
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
2
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Reported, not passed
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
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Voters should care about this bill because it could directly impact the availability and quality of broadband internet and cell phone service in their communities. By standardizing and streamlining the fees associated with placing communication equipment on federal property, the bill aims to reduce administrative hurdles and costs for companies.
If this bill becomes law, it could encourage faster and more widespread deployment of essential communication infrastructure, potentially bringing better internet and cell service to rural and underserved areas. Without this bill, companies might face unpredictable or inconsistent fees and processes across different federal agencies, which could slow down or deter investment in critical infrastructure, ultimately impacting consumers' access to modern communication services.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Requires the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to create a single, uniform schedule of fees for processing applications to place communications facilities on federal property.
This establishes a consistent fee structure across all federal agencies, removing potential inconsistencies and making the process more predictable for companies.
PROVISION 02
Stipulates that these fees must be based on the direct costs incurred by an agency for processing an application and must be competitively neutral.
This ensures fees are fair, transparent, and only cover actual administrative expenses, preventing agencies from overcharging or undercharging without justification.
PROVISION 03
Allows GSA to establish exceptions to the fee schedule, particularly for projects that offer a public benefit, such as expanding broadband internet access.
This provides flexibility to prioritize projects that serve the public good, potentially accelerating the deployment of internet services in underserved areas.
PROVISION 04
Mandates that the heads of all executive agencies must adopt the GSA's uniform fee schedule and any established exceptions by regulation.
This ensures broad compliance and consistent application of the new fee structure across the entire federal government.
PROVISION 05
Specifies that any fees collected by an agency can only be used to cover the costs of processing the forms and are subject to annual appropriation acts.
This ensures that collected fees are directly tied to the administrative purpose for which they were charged and are subject to Congressional oversight.
Voters should care about this bill because it could directly impact the availability and quality of broadband internet and cell phone service in their communities. By standardizing and streamlining the fees associated with placing communication equipment on federal property, the bill aims to reduce administrative hurdles and costs for companies.
If this bill becomes law, it could encourage faster and more widespread deployment of essential communication infrastructure, potentially bringing better internet and cell service to rural and underserved areas. Without this bill, companies might face unpredictable or inconsistent fees and processes across different federal agencies, which could slow down or deter investment in critical infrastructure, ultimately impacting consumers' access to modern communication services.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to create a single, uniform schedule of fees for processing applications to place communications facilities on federal property.
This establishes a consistent fee structure across all federal agencies, removing potential inconsistencies and making the process more predictable for companies.
med
Stipulates that these fees must be based on the direct costs incurred by an agency for processing an application and must be competitively neutral.
This ensures fees are fair, transparent, and only cover actual administrative expenses, preventing agencies from overcharging or undercharging without justification.
high
Allows GSA to establish exceptions to the fee schedule, particularly for projects that offer a public benefit, such as expanding broadband internet access.
This provides flexibility to prioritize projects that serve the public good, potentially accelerating the deployment of internet services in underserved areas.
med
Mandates that the heads of all executive agencies must adopt the GSA's uniform fee schedule and any established exceptions by regulation.
This ensures broad compliance and consistent application of the new fee structure across the entire federal government.
low
Specifies that any fees collected by an agency can only be used to cover the costs of processing the forms and are subject to annual appropriation acts.
This ensures that collected fees are directly tied to the administrative purpose for which they were charged and are subject to Congressional oversight.
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act
Administrator of General Services (GSA) must establish the uniform schedule of fees.
Not later than 120 days after the GSA establishes the fee schedule
Heads of executive agencies must adopt the established fees and exceptions.
GLOSSARY
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Communications facilities
Equipment and structures used for sending and receiving electronic signals, such as cell towers, antennas, and related infrastructure for internet or phone service.
Uniform fee schedule
A single, standard list of prices for specific services (in this case, processing applications) that is applied consistently across all federal agencies.
Executive agency
A part of the executive branch of the U.S. government, such as a department (e.g., Department of Defense) or an independent agency (e.g., General Services Administration).
General Services Administrator (GSA)
The head of the U.S. General Services Administration, an independent agency that manages and supports the basic functioning of federal agencies, including managing federal property.
Broadband internet access service
High-speed internet connection that allows users to access the internet and related services at significantly faster speeds than traditional dial-up connections.
Appropriation Acts
Laws passed by Congress that authorize the government to spend money for specific purposes during a fiscal year.
Competitively neutral
ACTION TIMELINE
9 EVENTS
FEB 4
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-488, Part I.
COMMITTEE
DEC 3, 25
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
COMMITTEE
DEC 3, 25
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.
COMMITTEE
NOV 18, 25
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held