House Communications Subcommittee Advances GOP Broadband Permitting Package

The House Communications and Technology Subcommittee cleared a raft of GOP-led broadband permitting legislation. The bills would make it easier for internet service providers to cross railroad lines, set shot clocks and fee limits on state and local permitting agencies, and exempt certain projects from environmental and historical reviews, among other things. The legislation approved by the subcommittee would give state and local permitting authorities 90 days to approve or deny requests to modify existing broadband infrastructure, and 150 days to approve or deny requests for new construction. After those windows, the request would be deemed granted.