Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.1050 | Sponsor: Rep. Dunn, Neal P. (R-FL)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2021
This bill exempts projects that replace or make improvements to communications facilities following a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency from certain environmental or historic preservation review requirements.
Specifically, the bill exempts these projects from any requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. These projects are also exempt from considerations about the effect they will have on any historic property.

To provide that a project to replace or improve a communications 
  facility following a major disaster or an emergency declared by the 
      President is not subject to requirements to prepare certain 
    environmental or historical preservation reviews, 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 ``Connecting Communities Post 
Disasters Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. APPLICATION OF NEPA AND NHPA TO COVERED COMMUNICATIONS 
              PROJECTS.

    (a) NEPA Exemption.--A covered project shall not be subject to the 
requirements of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).
    (b) National Historic Preservation Act Exemption.--A covered 
project shall not be considered an undertaking under section 300320 of 
title 54, United States Code.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Communications facility.--The term ``communications 
        facility'' includes--
                    (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'' means a service for the transmission of writing, 
        signs, signals, data, images, pictures, or sounds of all kinds.
            (3) Covered project.--The term ``covered project'' means a 
        project that--
                    (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 et seq.);
                    (B) is to be carried out not later than 5 years 
                after the date on which 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.
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