August Pfluger (R-TX)
Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to create a specific plan. This plan must be submitted to appropriate congressional committees within 180 days of the Act's enactment. The goal is to track how Form 299s for communications use authorization are accepted, processed, and disposed of. Additionally, the plan should provide applicants with more transparency regarding the status of their Form 299. Finally, the Assistant Secretary must describe how to implement this plan quickly and identify any potential barriers to doing so.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill explicitly requires a plan to provide applicants with additional transparency regarding the status of their applications.
- Scored +3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill aims to provide more transparency and efficient tracking for communications use authorizations which can assist businesses seeking to deploy facilities.
- Scored +3
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
The bill facilitates the tracking of communications facility authorizations which is a necessary step for broadband deployment.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Transparency for Applicants: The bill requires a plan to provide applicants with more information regarding the status of their Form 299 for communications use authorization (Section 2(a)(1)(B)). This could help individuals or entities seeking authorization know exactly where their application stands.
-
Improved Efficiency in Processing: The plan must include a method to implement the tracking process as expeditiously as possible (Section 2(a)(1)(C)). This focus on speed aims to improve the way communications use authorizations are handled.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Identification of Implementation Barriers: The Assistant Secretary is required to identify potential barriers to implementing the plan (Section 2(a)(2)). These identified barriers could represent obstacles that may delay the intended tracking and transparency improvements.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improved tracking for communications authorizations can indirectly aid in the broader goal of increasing broadband access for all households. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Streamlining the authorization process for communications facilities is essential for expanding broadband connectivity to rural areas. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Enhanced efficiency in communications facility authorizations can assist in infrastructure deployment in populated areas.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill explicitly requires a plan to provide applicants with additional transparency regarding the status of their applications.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill aims to provide more transparency and efficient tracking for communications use authorizations which can assist businesses seeking to deploy facilities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill facilitates the tracking of communications facility authorizations which is a necessary step for broadband deployment.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — By streamlining the tracking of communications use authorizations, the bill supports the deployment of communications infrastructure.
- 4/21/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 4/20/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2973)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2973)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1343.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2973-2974)
- Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2/4/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-485.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 415.
- 12/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/3/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.
- 11/18/2025
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2/13/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Greg LandsmanDemocrat · Ohio
Darren SotoDemocrat · Florida