Summary

Creates a competitive grant program and advisory council to help local governments speed up review, permitting, and approval of broadband and wireless infrastructure projects so high-speed service can reach unserved and underserved communities faster. Grants may be used for staff, training, software, technology, and other capacity-building to process broadband applications; a Local Broadband Advisory Council must be formed quickly and deliver a report within a year; funding is authorized but no dollar amount or start date is specified.

Key Points

• Creates a competitive federal grant program to help local governments speed up review and permitting for broadband projects.
• Grants may pay for staff, training, software, technology, coordination, and other capacity-building to process broadband applications faster.
• Establishes a Local Broadband Advisory Council to identify local deployment barriers and report recommendations to the Assistant Secretary and Congress within a year.
• Eligibility requires covered entities to apply and show they meet readiness criteria (policies, procedures, fee rules).
• Authorizes funding but does not specify an appropriation amount or an effective date; implementation depends on future appropriations.
• Focuses on accelerating deployment in unserved and underserved rural and low-income communities.
• Includes definitions to clarify terms like covered entity, covered applications, broadband infrastructure, and Assistant Secretary.

Categories & Tags