USTelecom Backs Rural Connectivity Provision in House Farm Bill

The House Agriculture Committee-passed farm bill includes a “critical” provision that would help streamline regulations slowing rural connectivity, USTelecom said Friday. The committee voted 33-21 Friday to approve the farm bill with four Democrats in support. The bill includes language from the Facilitating Optimal and Rapid Expansion and Siting of Telecommunications (Forest) Act. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., who introduced the legislation, successfully attached it as an amendment to the farm bill. The amendment would require that the U.S. Forest Service recognize previously approved permits with prior environmental and historical preservation approvals. “At a time when rural connectivity is more critical than ever, the Forest amendment in the Farm Bill trims back the regulatory underbrush that has been slowing it down,” said Brandon Heiner, USTelecom senior vice president-government affairs. “Speeding up the broadband permitting process on federal Forest Service lands is not only necessary, but long overdue.” If the House passes it, the farm bill would need to be reconciled with language from the Democratic-led Senate. Congress did not approve a farm bill in 2023.