This bill makes it easier for internet and telecommunications companies to build and upgrade their networks by limiting how much states and local governments can regulate them. Right now, cities and states can set their own rules about where and how companies place cables, towers, and other equipment. This bill says states and localities can't play favorites between different companies or technologies—they have to treat all providers the same way. They also can't make rules that basically block companies from providing or improving internet and phone services.

States and localities can still charge reasonable fees to review construction requests and for using public property, but they have to make decisions quickly. If they don't approve or deny a request within a set deadline, it's automatically approved. When they do deny something, they have to put their decision in writing, explain their reasoning with solid evidence, and make it public the same day. If a company thinks a state or local government is being unfair, they can take it to court, and the court has to handle it fast.

The goal is to speed up broadband expansion by removing what the bill sees as unnecessary red tape at the local level. However, this means states and cities lose some control over how telecommunications infrastructure gets built in their communities, which could affect things like where towers go or how construction impacts neighborhoods.

BROADBAND Leadership Act

Griffith, H. Morgan

Barriers and Regulatory Obstacles Avoids Deployment of Broadband Access and Needs Deregulatory Leadership Act or the BROADBAND Leadership Act This bill limits the authority of a state or locality to regulate the placement, construction, or modification of telecommunications service facilities. States and localities may not discriminate in such regulations among providers of functionally equivalent services, including based on the technology used to provide services. In addition, they may not regulate in a manner that effectively prohibits the provision or improvement of interstate or intrastate telecommunications services. However, states and localities may charge reasonable, cost-based fees for (1) reviewing requests to place, construct, or modify telecommunications service facilities; or (2) using property owned or managed by the state or locality for placing, constructing, or modifying those facilities. Additionally, states or localities must respond to requests for placing, constructing, or modifying facilities and for other actions related to those facilities by specified deadlines. If a decision is not made by the deadline, the request is deemed to be approved. Further, denials of requests must be (1) written, (2) supported by substantial evidence, and (3) publicly released on the same day the decision is made. An adversely affected person may petition the courts to review the actions of a state or locality, and the courts must review in an expedited manner.