# The GRANTED Act of 2023: What It Actually Does

This bill is about speeding up the process for companies to get permission to install communications equipment on federal land. Right now, when a telecom company or internet provider wants to put up cell towers, fiber optic cables, or other communications infrastructure on federal property, they have to apply for permission from the government agency that manages that land. The problem is that these applications can sit in limbo for months or years without a clear yes or no answer, which delays broadband expansion and infrastructure improvements.

The GRANTED Act creates an automatic approval system: if a federal agency doesn't formally approve or reject an application within a specific deadline, the application is automatically considered approved. Think of it like this—if you apply for a permit and the government doesn't respond within the time limit, you get the permit anyway. The bill also clarifies what counts as a "complete" application. An application is considered complete if the company has submitted everything the agency asked for, or if the agency doesn't tell the company what's missing within 30 days. This prevents agencies from dragging out the process by claiming applications are incomplete without clearly explaining what's needed.

The practical effect is that telecom companies and internet service providers will face less bureaucratic delay when trying to expand broadband networks, especially in rural areas. This could speed up 5G deployment, fiber optic installation, and other communications infrastructure projects. For everyday people, this might mean faster internet access and better cell phone coverage could arrive sooner in underserved areas. However, critics might worry that automatic approval could bypass important environmental or safety reviews, though the bill still allows agencies to deny applications—they just have to do it within the deadline rather than letting applications languish indefinitely.

GRANTED Act of 2023

Obernolte, Jay

Granting Remaining Applications Not Treated Efficiently or Delayed Act of 2023 or the GRANTED Act of 2023 This bill provides for the automatic approval of complete applications for easements, rights-of-way, or leases to install, construct, modify, or maintain communications facilities on federal property if the applicable agency fails to approve or deny the application within the 270-day time frame that applies under current law. The bill also establishes criteria for determining when an application is considered complete.