John Thune (R-SD)
Accelerating Broadband Permits Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text: CR S1581)
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 Accelerating Broadband Permits Act aims to require executive agencies to better meet statutory deadlines for processing communications use applications. It mandates that agencies develop data controls to accurately track application processing times. Agencies must also analyze and address factors causing delays and submit annual reports on these factors to specific Congressional committees. Additionally, agencies are required to create a method to alert staff when an application is at risk of missing the 270-day deadline. Finally, the bill amends existing law regarding broadband infrastructure projects.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +3
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
The bill aims to accelerate the deployment of broadband infrastructure by improving the efficiency of the application processing timeline.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates annual reports to Congressional committees regarding factors causing delays in application processing.
- Scored +2
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill's focus on accelerating broadband infrastructure helps facilitate more efficient service deployment in rural areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Accountability for Agency Delays: By requiring agencies to develop data controls to track processing times, the bill ensures that delays are accurately recorded (Section 2, SEC. 2 (i)).
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Proactive Problem Solving: Agencies are required to analyze and take action on factors that contribute to delays in processing applications, which could help prevent future bottlenecks (Section 2, SEC. 2 (ii)).
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Increased Transparency: The requirement for agencies to provide an annual report on delay factors to various Congressional committees provides oversight on how delays are being handled (Section 2, SEC. 2 (ii)(III)).
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Early Warning System for Deadlines: The mandate to establish a method for alerting staff to applications at risk of failing the 270-day deadline helps ensure applications are processed more timely (Section 2, SEC. 2 (iii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are mentioned in the provided text.
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 people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill's focus on accelerating broadband infrastructure helps facilitate more efficient service deployment in rural areas. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Faster broadband deployment can help close the digital divide that often impacts low-income communities. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Improved broadband infrastructure timelines can assist in the deployment of high-speed internet services in populated areas.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Streamlining the permit process for broadband infrastructure can reduce barriers for businesses entering or expanding in the telecommunications sector. Is this likely to create jobs? — By accelerating the processing of broadband applications, the bill facilitates faster deployment of infrastructure which supports economic activity.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill aims to accelerate the deployment of broadband infrastructure by improving the efficiency of the application processing timeline.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates annual reports to Congressional committees regarding factors causing delays in application processing.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill streamlines the regulatory environment for broadband infrastructure projects.
- 3/5/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text: CR S1581)
- 2 Cosponsors 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.
John BarrassoRepublican · Wyoming
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico