WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communication and Technology unanimously advancedCongressman August Pfluger's (TX-11) bipartisan bill to improve transparency and efficiency in the broadband deployment process.
The Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act would require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to submit a comprehensive plan to Congress within 180 days detailing how the agency will track permit applications for deploying broadband on federal lands. This will streamline projects to expand broadband access and help close the digital divide for communities in rural America.
Watch Rep. Pfluger's remarks during the subcommittee markup in support of his legislation HERE or by clicking the image below.
Read his remarks as prepared for delivery below:
I move to strike the last word --- I rise in support of H.R. 1343, Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act.
I am proud to lead this bipartisan, commonsense bill with my colleague Congressman Soto to improve transparency and efficiency in the broadband deployment process.
This bill, which passed unanimously on the House Floor last Congress, would require the NTIA to submit a comprehensive plan to Congress detailing how it will track permit applications to deploy on federal lands.
This transparency is essential to streamline the process for accessing easements and rights-of-way to build and maintain telecommunications infrastructure.
At the last hearing we had on this issue, we heard several detailed examples from providers across the telecommunications spectrum outlining the urgent need for this legislation. They shared repeated stories of crews that were prepared to act with infrastructure that was forward deployed and ready to go, only to be left waiting for permits for an extraordinary amount of time.
One witness testified that more than 600 locations could not be served due to delays in permit approvals, even though everything else was ready to be deployed, forcing the providers to walk. Another described an example in which permits have been delayed for two and a half years just to progress from one stage of the approval process to the next, and the company is still awaiting approval.
These are not isolated incidents. They are just a few examples of the many challenges providers nationwide are experiencing. Passing the Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act would be a crucial step toward fixing this process and closing the digital divide, creating a more connected future for all Americans.
I urge my Republican and Democrat colleagues to support this legislation. Americans cannot afford to be left behind any longer.
