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HR 3970 117th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications

Accelerating Rural Broadband Deployment Act

Introduced: June 17, 2021 Introduced by: Curtis, John R. Republican · Utah See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 21, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Jun 17, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
Jun 17, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Accelerating Rural Broadband Deployment Act

This bill authorizes the granting of an occupancy license to any person who requests access to a right-of-way that is owned by the federal government in order to place, construct, modify, or operate facilities for the provision of broadband service.

Specifically, an executive agency with control over such a right-of-way may grant an occupancy license for the expansion of broadband service. An occupancy license may not have a duration of more than 30 years and may be automatically renewed. The granting agency must establish an annual license fee and make a decision regarding the issuance of the occupancy license within 60 days of receiving an application for a license. If the agency does not act on a request within 60 days, the application shall be considered granted.

What's happening now June 21, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3970: Accelerating Rural Broadband Deployment Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3970/
MLA
"H.R. 3970: Accelerating Rural Broadband Deployment Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3970/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3970, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3970/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3970: Accelerating Rural Broadband Deployment Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3970/)
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