Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2019

To provide that the Federal Communications Commission and communications service providers regulated by the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934 shall not be subject to certain provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the National Historic Preservation Act with respect to the construction, rebuilding, or hardening of communications facilities following a major disaster or an emergency declared by the President, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2019 2. Application of NEPA and NHPA to covered communications projects (a) NEPA considerations The Federal Communications Commission shall treat covered projects as a class of action categorically excluded under section 1508.4 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulation), from any requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) (b) National historic preservation considerations Section 306108 of title 54, United States Code, shall not apply with respect to a covered project for which the Federal Communications Commission is required to issue a permit or that is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission. (c) Definitions In this Act: (1) Communications facility The term communications facility (A) any wireless or wireline infrastructure for the transmission of writing, signs, signals, data, images, pictures, or sounds of all kinds; (B) any transmitting device, tower, or support structure, and any equipment, switches, wiring, cabling, power sources, shelters, or cabinets, associated with the provision of communications services; and (C) any antenna or apparatus that— (i) is designed for the purpose of emitting radio frequency; (ii) is designed to be operated, or is operating, from a fixed location; and (iii) is added to a tower, building, or other structure. (2) Communications service The term communications service (3) Covered project The term covered project (A) is to be carried out within an area for which the President has declared a major disaster or an emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5121 (B) is to be carried out not later than 5 years after the date that the President made such declaration; and (C) replaces a communications facility damaged by such disaster or emergency or makes improvements to a communications facility in such area that could reasonably be considered as necessary for recovery from such disaster or emergency or to prevent or mitigate future disasters or emergencies.

Summary: Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2019 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to exempt projects that replace or make improvements to communications facilities following a major disaster or presidentially declared emergency from certain environmental or historic preservation review requirements. Specifically, the bill exempts such projects from any requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Such projects are also exempt from considerations about the effect they will have on any historic property.