Bill · H.R. 5273· House(119-HR-5273)
Broadband Competition and Efficient Deployment Act
- Introduced
- 9/10/2025
- Last activity
- 9/10/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- John Joyce
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Broadband Competition and Efficient Deployment Act aims to change how certain telecommunications projects are handled. It specifies that projects involving the collocation of telecommunications service facilities are exempt from specific review requirements. Specifically, these projects would not be considered a major Federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Additionally, they would not be considered an undertaking under the National Historic Preservation Act. The bill applies to covered projects requiring permits or approvals from the Federal Communications Commission.
Yes
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+4
The bill facilitates faster deployment of telecommunications infrastructure by exempting projects from NEPA and NHPA reviews.
Would people in cities be better off under this?+2
The streamlining of infrastructure deployment may lead to faster telecommunications service upgrades in urban areas.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+2
The bill eases the regulatory hurdles for placing telecommunications facilities on existing infrastructure.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-6
The bill exempts telecommunications projects from environmental reviews required by NEPA.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?-3
The bill bypasses National Historic Preservation Act requirements which often protect tribal lands and cultural resources.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Streamlined Deployment of Telecommunications: By exempting covered projects from certain environmental and historical reviews, the bill may facilitate the placement, construction, or modification of telecommunications service facilities on eligible support infrastructure (Section 2(a) and 2(b)).
-
Reduced Regulatory Burdens for Projects: The bill removes the requirement to treat federal authorizations as major Federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Section 2(a)).
-
Removal of Historical Preservation Requirements: The bill ensures that a covered project is not considered an undertaking under the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Reduced Environmental Oversight: The bill prevents certain projects from being considered a major Federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Section 2(a)), which could impact environmental review processes.
-
Reduced Historical Preservation Oversight: The bill prevents covered projects from being considered an undertaking under the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 2(b)), which may affect how historical preservation is addressed.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-6
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Urban Residents+2Good For Native Americans-3
- 9/10/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House