Bills · HR 5318
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5318Historic sites and heritage areasFederal Communications Commission (FCC)
RAPID Act
INTRO SEP 11· LAST ACTION SEP 11
READING
4MIN
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LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it aims to accelerate the deployment of next-generation wireless technology, like 5G, which could lead to faster internet speeds and better connectivity in more areas. This could boost economic activity and improve access to digital services for many Americans, particularly in underserved regions.
However, the bill also reduces the number of environmental and historical reviews required for these facilities. This means there would be less scrutiny on potential impacts to local ecosystems, endangered species, or culturally significant sites, including those important to Indian Tribes. If the bill becomes law, the trade-off is faster wireless expansion at the potential cost of diminished environmental and historical protections. If it doesn't pass, the deployment of small wireless facilities might remain a slower, more regulated process, ensuring more thorough reviews but potentially delaying connectivity improvements.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Exempts federal authorizations for small personal wireless service facilities from environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
This significantly speeds up the federal approval process for these facilities by removing a major environmental review step.
PROVISION 02
Exempts projects to deploy small personal wireless service facilities from historical preservation reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
This eliminates the need for federal agencies to assess the impact of these facilities on historic and culturally significant sites.
PROVISION 03
Establishes a 45-day presumption that Indian Tribes have disclaimed interest in a small wireless facility project if they do not respond to specific FCC forms within that timeframe.
This changes the tribal consultation process, placing a shorter deadline and a burden on tribes to respond quickly to avoid a presumed disinterest in projects affecting their cultural sites.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· North Carolina
YRS IN OFFICE
13
BILLS LED
17
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSSEP 11
Introduced in House
SEP 11
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 5318
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedSep 11, 2025
Last actionSep 11, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED SEP 11, 2025
House BillHR 5318Historic sites and heritage areasFederal Communications Commission (FCC)
RAPID Act
INTRODUCED SEP 11, 2025· LAST ACTION SEP 11, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
