# Understanding the Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act

This bill is about getting the federal government to move cell towers and internet equipment applications online. Right now, when companies want to install communications equipment like cell towers or fiber optic cables on public lands or national forests, they have to submit a form called a "Form 299" to the Department of Interior or the Department of Agriculture. The bill requires these departments to create online portals where companies can submit, track, and manage these applications digitally instead of doing it through paper or in-person processes.

The practical effect is that the bill asks the Commerce Department to investigate what's stopping Interior and Agriculture from setting up these online systems and report back to Congress every 60 days. The report needs to explain whether these departments have actually created the online portals and, if they haven't, what barriers are in the way. Once a department does set up an online portal, they have to notify the Commerce Department within three business days, and the reporting requirement stops for that department.

For everyday people, this matters because faster permitting for communications infrastructure could mean quicker deployment of cell towers and broadband internet to underserved areas. Right now, the slow paper-based process can delay rural broadband expansion and 5G network buildout. By pushing the government toward digital systems, this bill aims to speed up the process so companies can get approvals faster and invest in expanding internet access more quickly. The bill doesn't force anything to happen immediately—it just requires the government to report on what's blocking progress and create accountability for getting these systems online.

Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act

Miller-Meeks, Mariannette

Facilitating the Deployment of Infrastructure with Greater Internet Transactions And Legacy Applications Act or the Facilitating DIGITAL Applications ActThis bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to periodically report on the development of online portals for the acceptance,&nbsp;processing, and disposal of applications for communications use authorizations. Communications use authorizations are requests for easements, rights-of-way, leases, licenses, or other authorizations to locate or modify a transmitting device, support structure, or other communications facility on public lands or National Forest System land.Specifically, the NTIA must report to Congress about (1) whether the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service have each established a portal, and (2) any barriers to establishing the portals. The NTIA must submit the first report within 90 days of the enactment of the bill and additional reports&nbsp;every 60 days thereafter until the portals are established.Additionally, Interior and the Forest Service must notify the NTIA within three business days of establishing their respective portals.