Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act aims to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to streamline the deployment of telecommunications and broadband service facilities. It establishes specific procedures for providers working within public rights-of-way that intersect with railroad corridors. The bill also sets rules for providers seeking to place or modify facilities within the actual rights-of-way of railroad carriers. It defines how notifications and applications should be handled to prevent delays. Additionally, the act creates a petition process for relief through the Commission to resolve disputes between providers and railroad carriers.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
The act facilitates more efficient deployment of broadband services by streamlining the process for providers to use railroad rights-of-way.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Telecommunications and broadband providers benefit from more predictable deployment timelines and limited grounds for application denial.
- Scored +4
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill streamlines the process for telecommunications providers to deploy facilities by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and restricting the reasons for denial by railroad carriers.
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: If a provider has already received authorization from a State or local government, they can simply notify the railroad carrier instead of submitting a full application. This can include work where a public right-of-way intersects with a railroad corridor (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Elimination of Certain Fees: Providers are not required to pay a railroad carrier for the placement or modification of facilities in a public right-of-way (Section 2(b)(4)(A)).
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Strict Denial Criteria: Railroad carriers can only deny applications to use their rights-of-way for specific reasons, such as if the work would substantially interfere with infrastructure or jeopardize the safety of passengers and employees (Section 2(c)(2)(B)).
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Defined Timelines for Decisions: Railroad carriers are required to approve or deny an application within 60 days of receiving a complete application (Section 2(c)(2)(A)).
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Dispute Resolution Mechanism: The bill provides a petition for relief process that allows providers to seek help from the Commission if a railroad carrier wrongfully obstructs or delays work, or requests excessive payment (Section 2(d)(1)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Costs for Railroad Rights-of-Way: While providers don't pay for work in public rights-of-way, they are required to pay railroad carriers compensation equal to the actual costs reasonably and directly incurred for applications regarding the railroad's own rights-of-way (Section 2(c)(4)).
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Potential Costs for Expert Services: If a party loses a petition for relief, they may be required to reimburse the Commission for the costs of experts employed to adjudicate the matter (Section 2(d)(2)(C)(ii)).
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.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The act facilitates more efficient deployment of broadband services by streamlining the process for providers to use railroad rights-of-way.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Telecommunications and broadband providers benefit from more predictable deployment timelines and limited grounds for application denial.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill streamlines the process for telecommunications providers to deploy facilities by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and restricting the reasons for denial by railroad carriers.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes clear timelines and mandatory explanation requirements for railroad carriers when denying broadband applications.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — By streamlining broadband deployment through railroad rights-of-way, the bill supports the modernization of telecommunications infrastructure which often runs alongside transit corridors.
- 11/20/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico