Bill > HR3557

This bill, the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2023, aims to streamline federal, state, and local permitting and regulatory reviews to expedite the deployment of communications facilities. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Preserving local zoning authority for personal wireless service facilities while establishing timeframes and limitations on state and local governments' ability to deny requests to place, construct, or modify such facilities. 2. Prohibiting states or local governments from barring the ability of any entity to provide, improve, or enhance the provision of any interstate or intrastate telecommunications service, and establishing timelines and parameters for reviewing requests to place, construct, or modify telecommunications service facilities. 3. Streamlining the process for modifying existing wireless and telecommunications service facilities, including establishing deemed approval timelines and limitations on documentation requirements. 4. Updating the cable franchise process, including eliminating the need for franchise renewals and establishing timelines and procedures for cable operators to request modifications to franchise requirements. 5. Exempting certain communications projects from environmental and historic preservation reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act. 6. Addressing the timely consideration of applications for federal easements, rights-of-way, and leases, and streamlining certain fees relating to broadband infrastructure deployed using grant funds. The bill aims to facilitate the deployment of broadband and communications infrastructure across the country by reducing regulatory barriers and streamlining administrative processes.