What does Preamble of CLOSE THE GAP Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To modernize and streamline the permitting process for broadband infrastructure on Federal land, and for other purposes,' aims to modernize and streamline the permitting process for broadband infrastructure on Federal land.

What does SHORT TITLE. of CLOSE THE GAP Act do?

This bill is formally titled the ``Closing Long Overdue Streamlining Encumbrances To Help Expeditiously Generate Approved Permits Act'' or the ``CLOSE THE GAP Act''.

What does DEFINITIONS. of CLOSE THE GAP Act do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. "Communications facility" and "communications use" are defined by reference to section 8705(a) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. A "communications use authorization" is an easement, right-of-way, lease, license, or other authorization for a communications facility on Federal land. "Cost recovery fee" refers to fees collected by Federal land management agencies related to applications or occupancy for communications use authorizations. "Federal land management agency" includes the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Forest Service. "Secretary concerned" refers to the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, depending on the Federal land involved. "Standard Form 299" is a form developed by the Administrator of General Services, or any successor form.

What does PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS FOR STREAMLINING PURPOSES. of CLOSE THE GAP Act do?

This section requires the Secretary concerned to promulgate regulations within one year of enactment to streamline the process for locating or modifying communications facilities on covered land. The regulations must ensure a uniform and standardized process, consider applications on a competitively neutral, technology neutral, and nondiscriminatory basis, and base cost recovery fees on actual processing costs. The regulations must include procedures for tracking applications, including public reporting of received, approved, and denied applications, and provide applicants with written denial reasons and appeal opportunities. Leases for communications facilities on covered land must have minimum terms of not less than 30 years. The Secretary must consider conducting discrete reviews simultaneously and eliminating overlapping requirements among organizational units. The Secretary is responsible for communicating the regulations to organizational units and ensuring their compliance. This section does not grant any new leasing or real property authorities to executive agencies or organizational units. Actions taken under this section do not affect prior decisions regarding the sale, disposal, or redevelopment of Federal real property. Agreements entered into under this section do not obligate the Federal Government to retain real property that could otherwise be deemed excess or surplus.

What does DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE PROCESSING OF of CLOSE THE GAP Act do?

This section defines "applicable deadline" as the deadline established by section 6409(b)(3)(A) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. Within one year of the Act's enactment, the relevant Secretaries must establish standardized procedures for tracking data related to broadband project permit applications on Federal land. The data to be tracked includes the number of pending, approved, denied, and withdrawn applications, both before and after the applicable deadline, as well as average processing times and delays in approval. One year after establishing the data collection procedures, the Secretaries must submit a report to specified Senate and House committees. The report must describe and analyze the collected data, including factors causing delays in broadband project permit approvals. The report must also provide recommendations to accelerate broadband project permitting on Federal land.

What does ONLINE TRACKING OF APPLICATION PROGRESS. of CLOSE THE GAP Act do?

This section expresses the sense of Congress that communications projects, as defined in the FAST Act, should be considered a high priority due to their increased regional or national economic significance. Section 41001 of the FAST Act is amended to define 'communications project' as any construction project carried out at a communications site. The definition of 'communications project' incorporates terms like 'communications facility,' 'communications site,' 'communications use,' 'Federal land,' and 'Federal land management agency,' referencing definitions from the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. Paragraph (7)(A) of Section 41001 is amended to include 'communications projects' after 'carbon capture' and modifies the investment threshold for communications projects to 'any amount' while maintaining a $200,000,000 threshold for other activities.

What does IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY ON FEDERAL LAND. of CLOSE THE GAP Act do?

This section directs the Secretary concerned to instruct the head of each Federal land management agency to streamline environmental reviews for projects related to existing communications facilities. The streamlined review can be achieved either by establishing a new categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or by adopting an existing categorical exclusion from another agency. Eligible projects involve improvements to communications facilities that enhance public safety on Federal land, including backup power, infrastructure improvements, and more reliable connections.

What does PREVIOUSLY ANALYZED FEDERAL LAND. of CLOSE THE GAP Act do?

This section exempts certain communications use authorizations on Federal land from review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and related regulations. The exemption applies if the communications equipment is located in or on existing infrastructure, or if the facility is located on previously analyzed Federal land. The Secretary concerned is not required to reinitiate consultation under the National Environmental Policy Act or related regulations for applications on previously analyzed Federal land, even if new information becomes available.

What does WIRELESS FACILITY MODIFICATIONS. of CLOSE THE GAP Act do?

This section modifies Section 6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. The modification involves striking paragraph (3) of the aforementioned section.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF ONLINE PORTALS. of CLOSE THE GAP Act do?

This section requires each Federal land management agency to establish an online portal. The online portal must be established within one year of the Act's enactment. The purpose of the portal is to accept an electronic SF-299 form. Federal land management agencies are directed to coordinate to create uniform versions of the online portal.

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CLOSE THE GAP Act

Last updated: 5/19/2026 · Introduced: 5/19/2026

Author: John Barrasso (R-WY)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill mandates Federal land management agencies to streamline permitting processes for broadband infrastructure, ensuring uniform and standardized procedures.
It requires agencies to establish data collection procedures and publicly report on broadband project permit application status, including processing times and reasons for denial.
The bill establishes online portals for electronic submission of permit applications (SF-299) and directs agencies to coordinate on uniform portal versions.
It exempts certain communications use authorizations from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review requirements if located on existing infrastructure or previously analyzed Federal land.
The bill creates special accounts for each Federal land management agency to receive and retain cost recovery fees related to broadband infrastructure, used for related activities.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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