A bill to modernize and streamline the permitting process for broadband infrastructure on Federal land, and for other purposes.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4561 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4561 To modernize and streamline the permitting process for broadband infrastructure on Federal land, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 19, 2026 Mr. Barrasso (for himself and Ms. Lummis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To modernize and streamline the permitting process for broadband infrastructure on Federal land, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Closing Long Overdue Streamlining Encumbrances To Help Expeditiously Generate Approved Permits Act'' or the ``CLOSE THE GAP Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Communications facility.--The term ``communications facility'' has the meaning given the term in section 8705(a) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (43 U.S.C. 1761a(a)). (2) Communications site.--The term ``communications site'' means an area of Federal land available for communications use. (3) Communications use.--The term ``communications use'' has the meaning given the term in section 8705(a) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (43 U.S.C. 1761a(a)). (4) Communications use authorization.--The term ``communications use authorization'' means an easement, right- of-way, lease, license, or other authorization granted by the Secretary concerned to locate or modify a communications facility on Federal land for the primary purpose of authorizing the occupancy and use of the Federal land for communications use. (5) Cost recovery fee.--The term ``cost recovery fee'' means any fee collect