CLOSE THE GAP Act
Sen. Barrasso Introduces CLOSE THE GAP Act to Speed Up High-Speed Internet Projects on Federal Land
The CLOSE THE GAP Act is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It has been sent to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for review. The bill is actively moving forward as it waits for the committee to discuss it.
Legislative Progress
While rural broadband is a popular goal, changing environmental review rules often faces strong opposition. The bill currently lacks broad bipartisan support.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Federal land management agency staff would gain clearer procedures, new online tools, and additional funding from retained cost recovery fees to hire and train more personnel dedicated to broadband permitting. This could reduce the backlog burden on existing staff. A new inter-agency working group would also be established to coordinate reviews.
“Hiring and training personnel to perform duties that will help-- (i) to streamline permitting processes associated with communications use authorizations and the use of communications sites for communications use on Federal land”
State Impacts
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S2375-2377)
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
4 articlesBarrasso Bill Would Increase Broadband Access on Federal Lands
Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced the CLOSE THE GAP Act to streamline broadband permitting on federal lands. The bill aims to reduce delays by expanding NEPA categorical exclusions and limiting environmental and historical reviews for projects on previously analyzed land.
Barrasso Bill Would Increase Broadband Access on Federal Land
The CLOSE THE GAP Act, introduced by Senators Barrasso and Lummis, seeks to cut red tape for broadband projects on federal land. It requires a single online application system and expands categorical exclusions under NEPA to speed up deployment in rural areas.
NEPA: Sen. John Barrasso (R‑Wyo.) is proposing new legislation to speed broadband construction on federal land
Senator John Barrasso's CLOSE THE GAP Act would require federal agencies to streamline broadband permitting and use the federal Permitting Dashboard for tracking. The bill focuses on expanding high-speed internet in rural areas by reducing regulatory hurdles.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
CLOSE THE GAP Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.