HR 6046 119th Congress
Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to streamline the deployment of telecommunications or broadband service facilities in the public rights-of-way and the rights-of-way of railroad carriers, and for other purposes.
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Bill journey
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Introduction Congress.gov
Introduced
Introduced in the House.
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
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Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Introduced in House
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Introduced in House
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Introduced in House
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Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
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Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
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Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 51 - 0.
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Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
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| Date and time | Record | Official detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| IntroductionIntroduced | Introduced in the House. | Congress.gov | |
| Official actionReferred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. | No additional detail supplied.Committee · House committee actions · Code H11000 | Congress.gov | |
| Official actionReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. | No additional detail supplied.IntroReferral · House floor actions · Code H11100 | Congress.gov | |
| Official actionIntroduced in House | No additional detail supplied.IntroReferral · Library of Congress · Code Intro-H | Congress.gov | |
| Official actionIntroduced in House | No additional detail supplied.IntroReferral · Library of Congress · Code 1000 | Congress.gov | |
| Text versionIntroduced in House | A dated text-version record is available. | Congress.gov | |
| Official actionForwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote. | No additional detail supplied.Committee · House committee actions · Code H23000 | Congress.gov | |
| Official actionSubcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held | No additional detail supplied.Committee · House committee actions · Code H22000 | Congress.gov | |
| Official actionOrdered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 51 - 0. | No additional detail supplied.Committee · House committee actions · Code H19000 | Congress.gov | |
| Official actionCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held | No additional detail supplied.Committee · House committee actions · Code H15001 | Congress.gov |
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Congressional Research Service
CRS summary
Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL ActThis bill establishes a framework for the placement or modification of broadband or telecommunications equipment in a railroad corridor.Specifically, if a broadband or telecommunications provider is seeking to place or modify equipment within a railroad carrier’s right-of-way, the provider must submit an application to the carrier. A carrier must approve or deny an application within 60 days of receipt, and may only deny an application for safety reasons or if the placement or modification would substantially interfere with or damage railroad infrastructure. Once an application is approved, work must be scheduled in coordination with the carrier and generally must begin within 30 days. A provider must pay the railroad carrier for actual costs incurred with respect to the application.However, if a provider has been authorized by a state or local government to place or modify equipment in a public right-of-way in an area that intersects with a railroad corridor, the provider need only notify the relevant railroad carrier and schedule the work in coordination with the carrier. Work must generally begin between 15 and 30 days after the notification is submitted. No fee is required.A provider or carrier may petition the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for relief if the other has failed to comply with these provisions.The FCC must promulgate regulations to implement these provisions in a manner that ensures railroad safety, provides a timelier process for emergency situations, and prevents substantial interference with railroad infrastructure or operations, among other requirements.
Official documents
Text versions
- Introduced in HouseNov 17, 2025