Oppose the Preemption of Local Broadband Permitting Authorities

ACTION NEEDED:

Urge your Members of Congress to oppose the preemption of local permitting authorities as outlined in H.R. 2289, The American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025, sponsored by Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.). Counties support a meaningful role in the process of permitting wireless and wireline telecommunications infrastructure in our communities in order to protect the public Rights-of-Way. Counties further support the ability to assess reasonable fees to recover costs associated with permitting, engage in franchise agreements with providers, and coordinate infrastructure deployment safely and efficiently in our communities.

BACKGROUND:

In September 2025, Representative Buddy Carter (R – Ga.) introduced legislation before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee that would seek to codify authority at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish shot clocks, fee limitations and other provisions onto county governments for the processing of permits for both wireless and wireline telecommunications projects. In November, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the legislation out of committee on a party-line vote. The legislation now stands before the full House for floor consideration, and in March of 2026, the U.S. House Rules Committee placed the bill on the agenda for floor consideration. However, after successful advocacy from counties, the bill was removed from consideration. The bill remains eligible for floor consideration at any point throughout the remainder of the 119th Congress.

The preemption of local authorities in the permitting process for telecommunications infrastructure would not expedite the build-out of high-speed broadband; it would only jeopardize the safety protocols and procedures that local governments outline in the permitting process by placing pressure on local governments to approve permit applications on a reduced timeline.

KEY TALKING POINTS:

• The preemption of local permitting authority will not lead to the expedited build-out of broadband infrastructure, but instead jeopardize the safety of the public with less local government oversight on the infrastructure management process.
• Counties serve as partners, not barriers, in the buildout of high-speed broadband infrastructure, and counties welcome such development in our communities while affirming the necessity of the local permitting process.