Overview
Title
To amend the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 to provide for an application for a Federal easement, right-of-way, or lease with respect to a communications facility installation to be deemed granted if not granted or denied by the specified deadline, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
If the government takes too long to say yes or no to building on its land for communication towers, then this new rule says the builder can go ahead and start anyway. This is meant to make things faster and less complicated for builders.
Summary AI
H. R. 1836, also known as the "GRANTED Act of 2025," proposes changes to the process for obtaining Federal easements, rights-of-way, and leases for communications facilities. It amends the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 by stating that if a government agency doesn't approve or deny an application by the set deadline, the application will automatically be considered granted. The bill specifies when an application is considered complete, influencing when it is deemed approved if no action is taken by the agency. This aims to streamline and expedite the approval process for communications infrastructure projects.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The bill titled "H. R. 1836" aims to amend the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. Its primary focus is to ensure that applications for Federal easements, rights-of-way, or leases related to communications facility installations are automatically approved if not explicitly granted or denied within a specified timeframe. Such measures intend to streamline the process and prevent bureaucratic delays in developing communication infrastructure.
Summary of Significant Issues
A central issue with the bill is the provision allowing automatic approval of applications if an agency does not act by the deadline. While intended to expedite the process, this might inadvertently promote inefficiencies and oversight problems within agencies. There is a concern that applicants might exploit these provisions, leading to unintended approvals with significant legal and regulatory ramifications.
Additionally, the criteria used to define when an application is deemed "complete" or "received" are detailed and somewhat complex. This complexity might lead to confusion and legal disputes between applicants and agencies over the interpretation of these criteria.
The bill lacks specific details regarding the financial implications or budgetary provisions, presenting a risk of inefficient spending or fiscal mismanagement. Also, the term "executive agency" is defined by referencing a different act, which can be challenging for stakeholders and the general public to locate and understand.
Impact on the Public and Specific Stakeholders
Broadly, the bill aims to facilitate quicker deployment of communications infrastructure, potentially benefiting the public by enhancing access to advanced communication services and supporting economic development. However, there are potential drawbacks if the provisions lead to the automatic approval of applications without adequate oversight, possibly resulting in adverse environmental or community impacts.
For government agencies, the bill could impose additional pressure to adhere to deadlines, straining their resources without corresponding increases in budget or staffing. This might lead to choices between rushed reviews or facing the ramifications of automatic approvals.
Applicants or companies in the communications sector might find this bill advantageous, as it proposes a clear deadline for processing applications, providing more predictability in business planning and operations. Nevertheless, they might face challenges due to potential discrepancies in how different agencies interpret the "completion" of applications.
In conclusion, while the bill seeks to address valid concerns about delays in developing communication facilities, its provisions could lead to challenges that must be addressed to ensure its efficient and responsible implementation. The balance between expediency and oversight will be critical to safeguard public interest while fostering infrastructural growth.
Issues
The provision in Section 2 that allows an application to be deemed granted if not addressed by the deadline may lead to potential inefficiencies or oversight issues within executive agencies, as it might encourage applicants to take advantage of agency delays. This could result in unintended approvals of applications due to bureaucratic delays, potentially leading to significant legal and regulatory implications.
Section 2 has complex criteria for when an application is considered complete or received. This complexity might create confusion and potential legal challenges, as applicants and agencies might have differing interpretations of these criteria, leading to disputes over application statuses.
The lack of clarity regarding the definition of 'Granting Remaining Applications Not Treated Efficiently or Delayed' in Section 1 raises ambiguity about the scope and application of the Act, which could cause misunderstandings regarding the Act's intent and coverage.
In Section 1, there is an absence of information regarding the potential financial implications or budget allocations associated with the 'GRANTED Act of 2025', raising concerns about possible wasteful spending due to unclear budgetary provisions.
The term 'executive agency' is defined in Section 2 by referencing another section within a different act, which might not be immediately clear or accessible to all readers, leading to a potential lack of transparency and understanding among stakeholders and the general public.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this Act is titled the "Granting Remaining Applications Not Treated Efficiently or Delayed Act of 2025" or the "GRANTED Act of 2025," which establishes a short name for the legislation.
2. Timely consideration of applications for Federal easements, rights-of-way, and leases Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends a previous law to make sure that if a government agency does not approve or deny a complete application for things like land leases or rights-of-way by a set deadline, the application is automatically approved the next day. An application is considered complete and received when the applicant meets certain requirements and the agency does not request more information within 30 days.