Federal Animal Research Accountability Act of 2025
In Committee
Introduced:Oct 3, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Kathy Castor
Representative
Democratic
FL-14
Cosponsors
0
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Science, Technology, Communications
Summary
This bill aims to limit the ability of state and local governments to regulate the placement and construction of telecommunications facilities, such as cell towers and internet infrastructure. It requires them to respond to requests for facility changes by certain deadlines and restricts their ability to deny requests or impose certain fees.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill aims to limit the ability of state and local governments to regulate the placement and construction of telecommunications facilities, such as cell towers and internet infrastructure. It requires them to respond to requests for facility changes by certain deadlines and restricts their ability to deny requests or impose certain fees.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><b>Barriers and Regulatory Obstacles Avoids Deployment of Broadband Access and Needs Deregulatory Leadership Act or the BROADBAND Leadership Act</b></p> <p>This bill limits the authority of a state or locality to regulate the placement, construction, or modification of telecommunications service facilities.</p> <p>States and localities may not discriminate in such regulations among providers of functionally equivalent services, including based on the technology used to provide services. In addition, they may not regulate in a manner that effectively prohibits the provision or improvement of interstate or intrastate telecommunications services.</p> <p>However, states and localities may charge reasonable, cost-based fees for (1) reviewing requests to place, construct, or modify telecommunications service facilities; or (2) using property owned or managed by the state or locality for placing, constructing, or modifying those facilities.</p> <p>Additionally, states or localities must respond to requests for placing, constructing, or modifying facilities and for other actions related to those facilities by specified deadlines. If a decision is not made by the deadline, the request is deemed to be approved. Further, denials of requests must be (1) written, (2) supported by substantial evidence, and (3) publicly released on the same day the decision is made.</p> <p>An adversely affected person may petition the courts to review the actions of a state or locality, and the courts must review in an expedited manner.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Limits state and local authority to regulate telecommunications facilities, including requirements for timely responses and restrictions on denying requests
Prohibits discrimination among providers of equivalent telecom services based on the technology used
Allows states and localities to charge reasonable, cost-based fees for reviewing requests and using public property
Enables legal challenges to state/local actions through expedited judicial review
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If passed, this bill would make it easier and faster for telecommunications companies to build out and improve their networks across the country, potentially expanding internet and cell service access for many Americans. However, it could also limit the ability of state and local governments to address community concerns about the placement of telecom infrastructure.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Science, Technology, Communications
Related Subjects
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Federal preemption
Government information and archives
Infrastructure development
Judicial review and appeals
Rural conditions and development
State and local government operations
Telephone and wireless communication
User charges and fees
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
3295, 119th Congress (2025). "Federal Animal Research Accountability Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-3295
