H.R. 2289: Proportional Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act

This bill, known as the Proportional Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act, proposes changes to the process of deploying wireless facilities to simplify and expedite certain regulatory requirements. The bill amends existing laws regarding federal authorizations for eligible facilities requests under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. Specifically, it states:

Exemption from Environmental and Historical Reviews

• The bill stipulates that an eligible facilities request will not be classified as a "major federal action" under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This means that such requests will not need to undergo the detailed environmental reviews typically required for major federal actions.
• Additionally, eligible facilities requests will not be regarded as "undertakings" under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Consequently, these requests will be exempt from historical preservation reviews that are generally required to assess the impact on historic sites.

Definitions

The bill defines "federal authorization" in this context as any permission needed under federal law to proceed with an eligible facilities request. This includes permits, certifications, and any approvals required by federal law.

Impact on Wireless Facility Deployment

The primary aim of this legislation is to streamline the process of deploying wireless facilities, which could potentially speed up the expansion of broadband services. By removing certain regulatory hurdles, proponents argue that the deployment of new broadband infrastructure can proceed more quickly, especially in areas that may be underserved.

Implementation

If passed, these changes would apply to requests deemed eligible under the specified section of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act. This could facilitate increased construction and deployment of new wireless infrastructure across the country.

Relevant Companies

• T (AT&T Inc.) - As a major telecommunications provider, AT&T may benefit from streamlined regulations that allow faster deployment of wireless technologies.
• VZ (Verizon Communications Inc.) - Verizon could potentially see reduced delays in expanding its network infrastructure due to the exemptions outlined in the bill.
• CMCSA (Comcast Corporation) - Comcast, which provides broadband services, may experience an easier process for deploying necessary infrastructure in new areas.
• DISH (DISH Network Corporation) - As a provider of telecommunications services, DISH could also benefit from quicker authorization for infrastructure projects.