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Rural Broadband Permitting Efficiency Act of 2018

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 12, 2018
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Technology and Communication

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Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4824) to allow certain State permitting authority to encourage expansion of broadband service to rural communities, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

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H.R. 4824, introduced by John Curtis of Utah, is the Rural Broadband Permitting Efficiency Act of 2018. The bill, which I have cosponsored, provides much-needed efficiency to the broadband permitting process on Federal lands to ensure underserved communities receive this vital utility.

Approximately 40 percent of rural Americans do not have access to broadband internet. Without adequate and consistent internet access, people are unable to effectively communicate, gain access to vital information services, and increasingly participate in the American workforce.

Currently, providers who wish to install broadband infrastructure in existing utility and road rights-of-way on Federal land are frequently required to obtain approval from multiple Federal and State agencies. If the infrastructure crosses Indian Country, the Bureau of Indian Affairs is involved. This cumbersome process also includes extensive environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act.

H.R. 4824 streamlines broadband permitting in existing rights-of-way, saving time and money in broadband deployment. Specifically, this bill authorizes a program to enhance the permitting process for broadband internet projects in each of the Bureau of Land Management's State offices.

H.R. 4824 also authorizes the Bureau and the U.S. Forest Service to enter into agreements with States and Tribes to allow those entities to carry out environmental reviews for broadband projects within existing rights-of-way on Federal land. This coordinated approach should help alleviate unnecessary delays in permit processing and encourage providers and States to pursue broadband deployment projects, particularly in rural areas.

Congressman Curtis should be commended for his work on this bill and his efforts to have it considered by the House today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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