John Joyce (R-PA)
Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act
A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 51 - 0.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act," aims to amend the Communications Act of 1934. Its primary goal is to streamline how telecommunications or broadband service facilities are placed or modified in public and railroad rights-of-way. It establishes specific notification and application procedures for providers working near or within railroad corridors. The Act also outlines rules for scheduling work, compensation, and the process for petitioning the Commission for relief. Additionally, it mandates the creation of new regulations to ensure efficiency and safety.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
By streamlining the placement of facilities, the bill aims to ease the expansion of broadband services.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Telecommunications providers benefit from streamlined notification processes and reduced costs in public rights-of-way.
- Scored +4
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill streamlines the deployment of broadband facilities by reducing application requirements in public rights-of-way.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Streamlined Deployment in Public Rights-of-Way: For areas where a public right-of-way intersects with a railroad corridor, providers only need to submit a written notification rather than a full application, which can speed up work (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Cost Savings for Providers: In public rights-of-way, providers are not required to pay the railroad carrier for the placement or modification of facilities (Section 2(a)(4)).
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Clearer Denial Processes: If a railroad carrier denies an application to work in its right-of-way, they must provide a specific explanation and identify exactly which safety or infrastructure reasons led to the denial (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Conflict Resolution: The bill establishes a petition process through the Commission, allowing providers to seek relief if they believe a railroad has wrongfully obstructed them or requested excessive payments (Section 2(c)(1)).
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Enhanced Safety and Efficiency through Regulation: The Commission is required to create regulations that ensure railroad safety while providing for more timely placement of facilities during emergency situations (Section 2(e)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Mandatory Costs for Railroad Rights-of-Way: Providers submitting applications to work directly in a railroad's right-of-way must pay compensation equal to the actual costs reasonably and directly incurred by the railroad carrier (Section 2(b)(4)).
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Potential for Financial Burden during Disputes: If the Commission employs experts to help resolve a petition for relief, the party that loses the issue must reimburse the Commission for the cost of those services (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Restrictions on Work Areas: Future regulations may include specific limitations on where a provider can perform work or the types of work they can do to ensure safety and prevent interference with railroad operations (Section 2(e)(2)).
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 business owners be better off under this? — Telecommunications providers benefit from streamlined notification processes and reduced costs in public rights-of-way. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Streamlined broadband deployment can improve connectivity in urban areas where public rights-of-way and railroads intersect.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — By streamlining the placement of facilities, the bill aims to ease the expansion of broadband services.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill streamlines the deployment of broadband facilities by reducing application requirements in public rights-of-way.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires railroad carriers to provide specific explanations for denying service applications.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill streamlines telecommunications deployment within railroad corridors which often serve transit functions.
- 12/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/3/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 51 - 0.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/18/2025
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 11/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
- 2 Cosponsors 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
Jennifer McClellanDemocrat · Virginia
Scott PetersDemocrat · California
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia