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HR 6046 Cleared committee

Streamlines how telecommunications and broadband providers place or modify facilities in public and railroad rights-of-way, requiring notice to railroads in some cases and a decision within 60 days on applications in others.

Official title: Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act

Next stop House floor: awaiting a vote
Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions
House
Introduced 17-NOV-2025
Referred 17-NOV-2025
Approved by committee 03-DEC-2025
Key points
  • Providers working where a public road crosses a rail corridor must notify the railroad, may start work 15 to 30 days later, and need no separate application or payment to the railroad.
  • Work inside a railroad right-of-way requires a written application that the railroad must approve or deny within 60 days, with the provider paying the railroad's actual costs.
  • Railroads may deny an application only to prevent substantial interference with their infrastructure or to protect passenger or employee safety.
  • The Federal Communications Commission hears disputes, must issue a final order within 90 days of a petition, and must write implementing rules within one year.
AI-generated from the Introduced in House text of 17-NOV-2025 · verify · report an error
Official CRS summary

Current. The Congressional Research Service's summary covers the bill's latest wording (Introduced in House, 17-NOV-2025).

CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Read it on congress.gov
Committee referrals (2) Policy area

Science, Technology, Communications

Sponsor John Joyce (R-PA) Cosponsors · 4
■ 4 D