H.R. 2298

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2298 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2298

To ensure that certain broadband projects are not subject to 
requirements to prepare certain environmental or historical 
preservation reviews, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 24, 2025

Mr. Fulcher introduced the following bill; which was 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

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To ensure that certain broadband projects are not subject to 
requirements to prepare certain environmental or historical 
preservation reviews, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Reducing Barriers for Broadband on 
Federal Lands Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTAIN BROADBAND PROJECTS.

(a) NEPA Exemption.--The issuance of a Federal authorization with 
respect to a broadband project carried out in a right-of-way may not be 
considered a major Federal action under section 102(2)(C) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).
(b) National Historic Preservation Act Exemption.--A broadband 
project carried out in a right-of-way may not be considered an 
undertaking under section 300320 of title 54, United States Code.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Broadband project.--The term ``broadband project'' 
means an installation, by a broadband provider on Federal land, 
of wireline or wireless broadband infrastructure that enables a 
user to originate and receive high-quality voice, data, 
graphics, and video telecommunications, including copper lines, 
fiber optic lines, communications towers, buildings, or other 
improvements.
(2) Broadband provider.--The term ``broadband provider'' 
means a provider of wireline or wireless broadband 
infrastructure that enables a user to originate and receive 
high-quality voice, data, graphics, and video 
telecommunications.
(3) Federal authorization.--The term ``Federal 
authorization''--
(A) means any authorization required under Federal 
law with respect to a project; and
(B) includes any permits, special use 
authorizations, certifications, opinions, or other 
approvals as may be required under Federal law with 
respect to a project.
(4) Right-of-way.--The term ``right-of-way''--
(A) means--
(i) the area on, below, or above a roadway, 
highway, street, sidewalk, alley, or similar 
property (whether currently or previously used 
in such manner); and
(ii) any land immediately adjacent to and 
contiguous with property described in clause 
(i) that is within the right-of-way grant; and
(B) does not include a portion of the Interstate 
System (as such term is defined in section 101(a) of 
title 23, United States Code).
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