BEAD FEE Act of 2025

This bill ties federal broadband money to fair, transparent local fees. To get funds from the BEAD program, states and local governments must set any application or right‑of‑way fees for broadband projects so they are neutral, open to the public, and based only on actual, direct, and objectively reasonable costs (for example, processing requests or repairing streets where work happens). The BEAD program is run by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and provides broadband funding to states, territories, and the District of Columbia.

Fees also must be clearly explained to applicants, separating one‑time vs. ongoing charges and whether the work uses existing infrastructure or not. If these standards are not met, the federal government will not release BEAD funds to that state or its localities.

• Who is affected: States, territories, D.C., and their cities/counties seeking BEAD funds; companies building broadband networks.
• What changes: Fees for permits and right‑of‑way must be fair, public, and tied to real costs; fee details must be clearly spelled out.
• When: After the law takes effect, these rules apply before BEAD funds can be awarded.