Overview
Title
An Act To require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to submit to Congress a plan for the Assistant Secretary to track the acceptance, processing, and disposal of certain Form 299s, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The "Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act" wants a special helper in the government to make a plan to keep track of special forms used for building communication tools on public lands, like forests and parks. This plan would help people know what's happening with their requests and make sure everything is clear and fair.
Summary AI
H. R. 3343, also known as the "Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act," mandates the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to formulate and present a plan to Congress. This plan is aimed at monitoring how Form 299s, which authorize communications facility use on public lands, are accepted, processed, and completed. The bill also seeks to provide applicants with more transparency regarding the status of their Form 299 applications. Various committees such as the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate's Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee are identified as the appropriate congressional committees for reviewing this plan.
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AnalysisAI
The "Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act" is a legislative proposal aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of processing Form 299s, which are related to the authorization of communications facilities on public lands. Under this act, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information would be required to develop and submit a plan to Congress within 180 days. The plan should outline methods to track the acceptance, processing, and eventual disposal of Form 299s, improving how these forms are handled when used to authorize communications infrastructure such as antennas and towers on federally managed lands.
General Summary of the Bill
The bill mandates the creation of a plan to better manage and track Form 299, a paperwork requirement for placing communication facilities on public lands. The use of Form 299 plays a crucial role in expanding broadband infrastructure, which is essential for enhancing communication networks across the country. By specifying the definitions of key terms like "communications use authorization" and "covered land," the bill lays out a framework for how these processes are expected to be managed. Additionally, it addresses barriers to implementation, tasking the Assistant Secretary with identifying these hurdles to more effectively roll out the plan.
Summary of Significant Issues
One significant issue with the bill is the absence of clear consequences if the Assistant Secretary of Commerce fails to submit the required plan within the 180-day timeframe. This omission might undermine accountability and transparency efforts. Furthermore, "covered land" is defined expansively to include various types of public lands, creating potential jurisdictional and administrative challenges, as multiple federal agencies oversee these lands. Lastly, while potential barriers to implementing the plan are to be identified, the bill does not mandate specific solutions to overcome these barriers, potentially stalling progress.
Potential Impact on the Public
For the general public, the enhanced management of Form 299 could mean more efficient deployment of broadband infrastructure. This improvement could result in better internet access, particularly in underserved or rural areas, contributing to closing the digital divide. The impact on local communities could be substantial, offering more opportunities for education, business, and communication.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For federal agencies, the bill presents both challenges and opportunities. The need to coordinate efforts across agencies managing different types of public lands might lead to more streamlined processes but could require significant inter-agency collaboration. Communication companies may benefit from the plan’s emphasis on greater transparency and efficiency, potentially leading to faster project approvals and reduced bureaucratic delays. However, these companies also face uncertainties regarding how barriers will be addressed, which could impact investment and deployment strategies.
Overall, this bill, if implemented effectively, has the potential to improve the deployment of communication facilities on public lands, offering broad benefits to society, but it calls for careful attention to coordination and problem-solving among involved stakeholders.
Issues
The bill mandates the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to track Form 299s but does not specify the consequences of failing to submit the required plan to Congress within the stipulated 180 days. This could affect the accountability and transparency of the process. (Section 2(a))
The definition of 'covered land' extends to public lands and National Forest System land, which involves multiple federal agencies. There could be jurisdictional and administrative challenges when implementing a comprehensive tracking plan across these diverse lands. (Section 2(b)(6))
There is a lack of clarity on what specific barriers might impede the implementation of the plan, as the bill only requires the Assistant Secretary to identify these potential barriers without providing solutions. This could hinder the effective execution and oversight of the initiative. (Section 2(a)(2))
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 the bill states that it can be called the “Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act.”
2. Plan for Assistant Secretary to track the acceptance, processing, and disposal of certain Form 299s Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to create a plan within 180 days to track and enhance the transparency of handling Form 299, which is related to communications use, like installing antennas or towers, on public lands. It also defines key terms like "Assistant Secretary," "communications use authorization," and "covered land," and outlines potential barriers to implementing the plan.