The bill, "Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act," proposes establishing an interagency strike force to prioritize the review of requests for communications use authorizations on federal lands. It aims to expedite the process by setting goals, conducting periodic calls, and ensuring accountability. The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information will lead the strike force, including members from various federal land management agencies. The bill also includes definitions for terms such as 'communications use,' 'covered land,' and 'organizational unit,' and requires a report on the strike force's effectiveness to be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees within 270 days of the enactment of the Act.
Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act
This bill establishes an interagency strike force to support federal land management agencies' review of requests for communications use authorizations. (A communications use authorization is required to modify or locate communications facilities on public lands.)
The strike force must (1) conduct periodic calls with strike force members to ensure that each agency prioritizes the review of requests for communications use authorizations, (2) establish goals for the review of the requests, and (3) monitor and facilitate agency accountability for meeting the established goals.
The bill specifies that the strike force must include the head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the head of each federal land management agency, and other members designated by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior. The bill also requires the strike force to report to Congress regarding its effectiveness.