H.R. 1039 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1039 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 15, 2021Mr. Bilirakis introduced the following bill; which was 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 A BILL To provide that a project for the deployment or modification of a communications facility entirely within a floodplain is not subject to requirements to prepare certain environmental or historical preservation reviews. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Coastal Broadband Deployment Act. 2. Application of NEPA and NHPA to floodplains (a) NEPA exemption A covered project shall not be subject to the requirements of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). (b) National Historic Preservation Act exemption A covered project shall not be considered an undertaking under section 300320 of title 54, United States Code. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission. (2) Communications facility The term communications facility includes— (A) any wireless or wireline infrastructure for the transmission of writing, signs, signals, data, images, pictures, or sounds of all kinds; (B) any transmitting device, tower, or support structure, and any equipment, switches, wiring, cabling, power sources, shelters, or cabinets, associated with the provision of communications service; and (C) any antenna or apparatus that— (i) is designed for the purpose of emitting radio frequency; (ii) is designed to be operated, or is operating, from a fixed location; and (iii) is added to a tower, building, or other structure. (3) Communications service The term communications service means a service for the transmission of writing, signs, signals, data, images, pictures, or sounds of all kinds. (4) Covered project The term covered project means a project— (A) for the deployment or modification of a communications facility that is to be carried out entirely within a floodplain (as defined in section 9.4 of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act); and (B) for which a permit, license, or approval from the Commission is required or that is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission.