HB1836, the GRANTED Act of 2025, would change how federal executive agencies handle applications for easements, rights-of-way, or leases related to communications facility installations. It amends section 6409(b)(3) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 to require agencies to act on a complete application by a deadline, and if they do not grant or deny it in time, the application would be deemed granted the day after the deadline. The bill also replaces the phrase “duly filed” with “complete,” tightening the standard for when the review clock starts.
The bill further defines when an application is considered complete and when it is considered received. An application is treated as complete if the applicant has taken the first procedural step required by the agency and has not received a written notice within 30 days identifying missing required information. A complete application is considered received either when all required information is submitted, or, if the agency fails to send the required notice, on the day after the 30-day notice period ends. The bill applies these changes only to applications received on or after enactment.
Impact
The bill would affect federal permitting and review procedures for communications infrastructure projects on federal property, including applications for easements, rights-of-way, and leases. It would impose a default approval mechanism that limits agency delay and could accelerate deployment of telecommunications facilities, including wireless infrastructure and related network buildout. The measure would amend federal law in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 and would directly affect executive agencies responsible for reviewing these applications, as well as applicants seeking access to federal lands or facilities.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a pro-deployment, efficiency-focused reform intended to reduce bureaucratic delay in communications infrastructure approvals. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided material, so no formal opposition or support is documented in the record here. The bill’s title and structure suggest a generally favorable posture toward faster permitting and more predictable timelines for applicants.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the deemed-granted provision, which would automatically approve an application if an agency misses the deadline. Supporters are likely to view this as a necessary remedy for slow federal processing and a way to speed broadband and communications deployment. Opponents or concerned agencies may argue that automatic approval could reduce federal oversight, create compliance risks, or force approvals before all substantive review issues are resolved. Another possible issue is the bill’s definition of completeness, which places pressure on agencies to quickly identify missing information or lose the ability to stop the clock.