Reducing Barriers for Broadband on Federal Lands Act of 2025
The Reducing Barriers for Broadband on Federal Lands Act of 2025 would exempt certain broadband projects that run through rights-of-way from being treated as major federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and from being considered under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 review. In practice, this aims to speed up approvals for installing wireline or wireless broadband infrastructure (such as copper, fiber, towers, and related buildings or equipment) on federal lands when the work occurs within a designated right-of-way. The bill defines key terms (what counts as a broadband project, a broadband provider, a federal authorization, and a right-of-way) and clarifies that the exemptions apply specifically to projects carried out in a right-of-way, with a definition that excludes portions of the Interstate System. The effect would be to reduce regulatory delays by avoiding the typical NEPA “major federal action” review and NHPA Section 106 process for these projects.
Key Points
- 1NEPA exemption: For broadband projects carried out in a right-of-way, the issuance of a federal authorization would not be considered a major Federal action under NEPA, potentially skipping the full environmental impact statement process.
- 2NHPA exemption: The same broadband projects in a right-of-way would not be considered an “undertaking” under NHPA Section 106, avoiding the typical process to identify and mitigate effects on historic properties.
- 3Definitions: The bill defines “broadband project” (installation of infrastructure enabling high-quality communications), “broadband provider,” “federal authorization” (any required permit, special use authorization, certification, opinion, etc.), and “right-of-way” (area on/under/above a roadway or adjacent land within the grant, excluding parts of the Interstate System).
- 4Scope and intent: The exemptions apply to projects carried out in a right-of-way and are aimed at accelerating broadband deployment on federal lands by reducing procedural delays associated with NEPA and NHPA reviews.
- 5Procedural note: The bill was introduced in the House (H.R. 2298) and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Natural Resources; sponsor is listed as Mr. Fulcher. No further legislative action is specified in the text provided.