Reducing Barriers for Broadband on Federal Lands Act of 2025

The issuance of a Federal authorization with respect to a broadband project carried out in a right-of-way may not be considered a major Federal action under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).

A broadband project carried out in a right-of-way may not be considered an undertaking under section 300320 of title 54, United States Code.

In this section:

The term broadband project means an installation, by a broadband provider on Federal land, of wireline or wireless broadband infrastructure that enables a user to originate and receive high-quality voice, data, graphics, and video telecommunications, including copper lines, fiber optic lines, communications towers, buildings, or other improvements.

The term broadband provider means a provider of wireline or wireless broadband infrastructure that enables a user to originate and receive high-quality voice, data, graphics, and video telecommunications.

The term Federal authorization —

(A) means any authorization required under Federal law with respect to a project; and

(B) includes any permits, special use authorizations, certifications, opinions, or other approvals as may be required under Federal law with respect to a project.

The term right-of-way —

(A) means—

(i) the area on, below, or above a roadway, highway, street, sidewalk, alley, or similar property (whether currently or previously used in such manner); and

(ii) any land immediately adjacent to and contiguous with property described in clause (i) that is within the right-of-way grant; and

(B) does not include a portion of the Interstate System (as such term is defined in section 101(a) of title 23, United States Code).