Sponsors (3)
The bill increases transparency and nudges agencies toward standardized online portals that could speed communications siting, but it imposes recurring reporting burdens, may not ensure portals are built, and could divert agency resources from other permitting work.
Rural communities and utilities/energy companies will face reduced processing time and paperwork when siting communications infrastructure on public and National Forest lands if standardized online portals are adopted.
Congress and stakeholders will get faster visibility through regular 60‑day reports, which could accelerate agency action to establish portals by creating accountability.
Applicants (small-business owners and utilities) will have clearer information about whether Interior and the Forest Service have online portals, making it easier to know how and where to submit applications.
Small businesses and utilities may still face permitting delays because the reporting requirement does not compel agencies to actually build online portals.
State governments and rural communities could experience delays in other land-management permitting if agencies reallocate staff/time to meet the new reporting and oversight demands.
Federal employees (Assistant Secretary and Commerce staff) will incur additional administrative burden from producing reports every 60 days.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires Commerce to report every 60 days on barriers to establishing online portals to accept and process Form 299 for public and National Forest lands, starting with an initial report within 90 days of enactment.
Official title: To require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to report to Congress on any barriers to establishing online portals to accept, process, and dispose of certain Form 299s, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 26, 2025 by Mariannette Miller-Meeks · Last progress February 26, 2025
Requires the Commerce Department's Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information to report on barriers to creating online portals that accept, process, and dispose of Form 299 (communications use authorization applications) for public lands managed by the Department of the Interior and National Forest System lands managed by the Forest Service. The Assistant Secretary must deliver an initial report within 90 days of enactment and then every 60 days until each relevant Secretary notifies that a portal has been established.