The CLOSE THE GAP Act requires federal land management agencies to streamline broadband permitting on federal lands by establishing standardized procedures to track applications and their processing times. Within one year of enactment, agencies must begin collecting data on permit timelines, approval rates, and delays, with a particular focus on applications approved after statutory deadlines. Within two years, these agencies must submit a joint report to Congress analyzing the data, identifying causes of delays, and recommending solutions to speed up approvals. The bill also establishes a Federal Land Management Agency Working Group composed of representatives from agencies like the National Park Service, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management to coordinate and accelerate permit reviews. This working group will coordinate with the Federal Communications Commission to identify underserved areas that may need federal right-of-way access for communications infrastructure.
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