BROADBAND Leadership Act Barriers and Regulatory Obstacles Avoids Deployment of Broadband Access and Needs Deregulatory Leadership Act
If enacted, HB 3295 would have considerable implications for state laws governing telecommunications. It would prohibit state and local regulations that prohibit or effectively prohibit the provision of telecommunications services, thereby enabling quicker deployment of infrastructure. The bill outlines specific timeframes for local governments to approve requests for infrastructure development, specifying deadlines of 90 days for certain setups and 150 days for others. This could significantly expedite broadband expansion and enhance service delivery across the United States.
House Bill 3295, referred to as the Broadband Leadership Act, aims to amend the Communications Act of 1934 by streamlining the processes for siting telecommunications service facilities. The primary objective is to eliminate barriers at the state and local levels that may hinder the deployment of broadband services. This is particularly significant as it seeks to ensure that telecommunications companies can operate more efficiently, potentially increasing broadband access across various regions, especially underserved ones.
Though the bill is designed to promote broadband access, it may encounter opposition from local governments concerned about losing regulatory authority over telecommunications infrastructure within their jurisdictions. Critics argue that such preemption could diminish local control and undermine the ability to address community-specific needs, such as public safety and local economic development. Furthermore, details regarding fees charged by local entities for the use of public rights-of-way remain a contentious point, as these could affect the local economy and ensure fair compensation for municipalities.