The bill in question, titled "Standard Fees to Expedite Evaluation and Streamlining Act," is designed to amend the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. Its primary goal is to establish a uniform fee schedule for processing forms related to the placement of communications facilities on federal property. This change seeks to create a standardized approach to handling such applications and ensure fairness and transparency in the process.

General Summary of the Bill

The proposed legislation mandates the Administrator of General Services to create a consistent fee structure, which federal agencies must adopt. These fees are intended to cover the processing costs of forms necessary for placing communications installations on federal buildings and properties. The bill emphasizes that the fees should be competitively neutral and consider public benefits, like expanding broadband access. Additionally, this bill authorizes the establishment of exceptions to the fee schedule when beneficial to the public or specific communication aims.

Summary of Significant Issues

One of the critical issues highlighted in the bill concerns the complexity of its language. The terminology used may not be easily understood by the general public, potentially leading to confusion about the bill's intentions and implications. This complexity can obscure the bill's goals and hamper transparency.

Another notable concern is the provision allowing the Administrator of General Services to set exceptions for broadband expansion. This clause is somewhat vague and may lead to subjective interpretations, resulting in potential favoritism or inconsistent rule application. Furthermore, the criteria for setting fees are not distinctly defined, which could cause transparency issues and discrepancies between agencies.

Additionally, the bill mandates that collected fees be available only through appropriations by Congress. This procedural requirement might cause delays in fund utilization, affecting the timeliness of form processing. Finally, the bill sets a tight deadline of 30 days for the fee schedule's establishment, a timeframe that may be challenging given the task's complexity.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

The bill aims to streamline the process for putting communications facilities on federal property, which theoretically benefits the public by improving access to communication services. Standardizing fees could make the process more predictable and transparent for businesses and government agencies.

However, the bill's complexity and potential for subjective interpretation might disadvantage smaller companies unfamiliar with legislative or regulatory terms, making it challenging for them to compete fairly. Larger entities, possibly with more resources to interpret or influence these regulations, might find ways to gain favorable terms, especially through the exceptions aimed at expanding broadband.

For federal agencies, the bill imposes additional administrative tasks to align with the new fee schedule, which might require training or resources adaptation. This requirement could strain resources, especially if the appropriations process delays the release of funds needed to implement the bill's provisions effectively.

In summary, while the bill seeks to create a fair and standard approach to handling applications for communications facilities on federal properties, its broad impact could vary. It may streamline processes for some stakeholders but create hurdles for others, especially if issues of complexity, interpretation, and implementation aren't adequately addressed.