Bill · H.R. 1975· House(119-HR-1975)
BEAD FEE Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/10/2025
- Last activity
- 3/10/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Rick Allen
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Broadband Expansion And Deployment Fee Equity and Efficiency Act of 2025," seeks to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It aims to require States and their political subdivisions to streamline certain fees related to broadband infrastructure. To receive grant funds under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, these entities must follow specific fee guidelines. The bill limits the types of fees that can be charged for authorizing or using rights-of-way for broadband service. This is intended to ensure fees are based on actual, reasonable, and direct costs.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+7
The bill directly facilitates the expansion of broadband infrastructure by regulating and streamlining associated fees.
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
Broadband providers benefit from streamlined, predictable, and reasonable infrastructure fees.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The bill promotes broadband expansion, which is critical for connectivity in rural areas.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-3
The bill restricts the autonomy of states and political subdivisions regarding how they charge fees for broadband infrastructure.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Requirement for Fair Fees: The bill ensures that any fees charged for broadband infrastructure requests must be competitively neutral, technology neutral, and nondiscriminatory (Section 2). This could prevent certain providers from being unfairly targeted or disadvantaged.
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Cost Transparency: Entities must publicly disclose their fees (Section 2). This allows for greater transparency regarding how much people or companies are being charged for infrastructure access.
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Prevention of Excessive Charges: Fees must be calculated based on actual and direct costs and must use only costs that are objectively reasonable (Section 2). This protects against entities charging arbitrary or inflated prices for the review, processing, or repair of infrastructure.
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Clear Fee Structures: The bill requires that fees distinguish between nonrecurring fees and recurring fees, as well as the use of existing infrastructure versus new locations (Section 2). This provides clarity for those requesting to place or modify broadband services.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Risk to Funding for Localities: If a State or a political subdivision does not comply with these specific fee requirements, the Assistant Secretary may not make available grant funds under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (Section 2). This could result in a loss of grant money for the community.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power+4Increase States Rights-3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+3
- 3/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House