CONTACT: Christianné Allen, Christianne.Allen@mail.house.gov
CONTACT: Marisa Melton, Marisa.Melton@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Russ Fulcher (Idaho-01) reintroduced H.R. 2298, the Reducing Barriers for Broadband on Federal Lands Act, to expand broadband access for rural communities by easing the regulatory challenges currently hindering infrastructure projects on federal lands.
Specifically, the legislation will help close the digital divide in rural America and support the development of infrastructure that can unlock economic opportunities for communities left behind by traditional broadband providers.
"Broadband is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity," said Congressman Fulcher. "Yet, rural communities across Idaho and the West continue to struggle with access to reliable connectivity, impacting essential services such as telemedicine, online education, and remote work. With over 61% of Idaho’s land under federal control, removing unnecessary barriers that prevent broadband development on federal land is essential to ensure that no Idaho community is left behind in today's digital age."
Bill Background
The Reducing Barriers for Broadband on Federal Lands Act will streamline the regulatory process for broadband infrastructure projects on federal lands by providing a categorical exclusion from additional National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) reviews for lands that have already been disturbed and reviewed. This change will speed up the deployment of broadband in rural areas by reducing unnecessary delays and administrative costs.
###