Landsman Works On Bipartisan Bill to Accelerate Broadband Deployment for Unserved Communities Passes out of Committee

WARREN COUNTY, OH -- A bipartisan bill to help communities get broadband quicker – especially in rural areas – passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

On Monday, Warren County's Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), along with Congressman John Joyce (R-PA-13)and Congressman Scott Peters’ (D-CA-50)introduced the bipartisan Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act – legislation to streamline the permitting process for broadband providers to deploy infrastructure in an area where the public right of way intersects with a private railroad right of way. 

If the broadband company has approval to deploy in the public right of way, this bill lets them simply notify the railroad before proceeding with construction – eliminating an unnecessary and burdensome approval process that increases the costs and delays of broadband infrastructure deployment.

If a broadband provider wants to lay broadband through a private railroad right of way, the bill makes the approval process faster and limits the railroad company from denying the application for irrelevant reasons.

On Tuesday, the Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

According to Landsman,“this bipartisan bill will help get broadband to people all over the country much faster, especially in rural areas, by streamlining processes and removing obstructions. With a $42 billion broadband investment set to be released, this couldn’t come at a better time.”

INCOMPAS's CEO Chip Pickering explained that his members have experienced the significant barrier that railroad crossings pose to broadband deployment firsthand. Delayed permits, some as long as nearly 20 months and unreasonable fees exceeding $40,000 for a single crossing have occurred. 

"The Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act finally addresses this 'wild west' environment by establishing clear timelines, fair compensation rules, and meaningful dispute-resolution processes. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation delivers the regulatory certainty necessary to accelerate broadband deployment and end these costly delays while maintaining strong rail safety standards," Pickering added.

Congressman Joyce noted that rural communities across Pennsylvania, have waited too long for access to affordable, high-speed broadband. 

"I’m proud to work with Congressman Landsman and Congressman Peters to introduce a bipartisan solution that would encourage broadband providers and railroads to reconcile outstanding issues in a timely manner and accelerate broadband deployment along railroad rights of way with safety and efficiency,” Joyce said.

Congressman Peters explained that the passage of this ACT through the Communications and Technology subcommittee, has brought us one step closer to expediting critical infrastructure projects adding that this helps to create reasonable timelines to ensure project efficiency and increases connectivity to meet the national demand.

"Too often, much-needed broadband projects are held up by unnecessary complications and uncertain processes. Yet in the age of technology, it's more important than ever for Americans to get connected as quickly as possible," Peters said. 

"We appreciate the work of Reps. Joyce, Landsman and Peters to streamline wireless deployment for public and railroad rights-of-way. We look forward to continuing to work on the legislation as it heads towards a full Committee markup,” said Kelly Cole, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, CTIA.

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