Bills · HR 1975
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 1975Science, Technology, Communications
BEAD FEE Act of 2025
INTRO MAR 10· LAST ACTION MAR 10
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
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- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it directly impacts the speed and cost of bringing high-speed internet to communities that lack it, especially in rural and underserved areas. High or unpredictable fees charged by local governments can act as a significant barrier for broadband companies, making it more expensive or even unprofitable to extend their networks.
If this bill becomes law, it could accelerate broadband deployment by removing some of these financial and bureaucratic hurdles, potentially bringing internet access to more homes and businesses sooner. If it doesn't pass, local governments would continue to have full discretion over their fee structures, which some argue could slow down the use of federal broadband expansion funds and delay internet access for many Americans.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires states and local governments to streamline fees related to broadband infrastructure in order to receive most BEAD grant funds.
This ties federal funding directly to local regulatory practices, incentivizing states and localities to simplify and reduce barriers to broadband deployment.
PROVISION 02
Stipulates that any permissible fees must be competitively neutral, technology neutral, nondiscriminatory, and publicly disclosed.
These requirements aim to ensure fairness and transparency in local fee structures, preventing preferential treatment or hidden costs.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that fees must be calculated based on actual and direct costs, such as for reviewing requests or repairing infrastructure, and must be objectively reasonable.
This prevents local governments from charging excessive fees that are not directly related to their administrative or infrastructure maintenance expenses.
PROVISION 04
Requires that fees be described to requesting parties in a way that distinguishes between nonrecurring and recurring fees, and between existing and new infrastructure use.
This provision increases clarity for broadband providers, allowing them to better understand and budget for deployment costs.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Georgia
YRS IN OFFICE
11
BILLS LED
22
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAR 10
Introduced in House
MAR 10
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 1975
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMar 10, 2025
Last actionMar 10, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 10, 2025
House BillHR 1975Science, Technology, Communications
BEAD FEE Act of 2025
INTRODUCED MAR 10, 2025· LAST ACTION MAR 10, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
