by Dave Garb, Legislative Committee Chair
Dangers of the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 (H.R. 2289)
Last November, a dangerous bill passed from the Congressional House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee: The American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 (H.R. 2289). H.R. 2289 gives telecommunication companies de-facto power over local zoning laws. It provides no public safety protections for construction of “deemed granted” facilities.
Sites will be constructed without any action by or notice to the local government. H.R. 2289 denies local governments the ability to ensure public safety, manage traffic, protect existing utilities and workers, and maintain fair competition—no reciprocal obligations on providers. It lets these service providers install facilities where they choose regardless of local zoning. This eliminates the ability of local government to balance providers’ and neighbors’ interests.
Not only will local authorities have no control of the rights-of-way, but they can no longer depend on the revenue generated by franchise fees. Eliminating cable franchise renewals would end state or local governments’ ability to enforce franchise obligations—including buildouts, customer service, and PEG channels. Municipalities will lose hundreds of thousands of dollars annually and local programming that provides transparency to the local residents.
In an effort to make our leaders aware of the implications of this act, the Jersey Access Group created these two videos:
1. A three-minute video which details the harmful points of H.R. 2289
3 Minute Video on H.R. 2289 Via DropBox
3 Minute Video on HR 2289 Via YouTube
2. A one-minute overview of H.R. 2289
1 Minute Video on HR 2289 via DropBox
1 Minute Video on HR 2289 via YouTube
Act now! Forward both these videos to your local, state and federal lawmakers to keep everyone aware and informed of how dangerous H.R. 2289 can be to local municipalities. To keep your community informed, air these videos on your television stations and other communications channels.
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Legislative Update April 2026: News from Trenton & Washington and FCC Legislation Changes
Posted: April 10, 2026 by Doug Seidel
by Dave Garb, Legislative Committee Chair
Dangers of the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 (H.R. 2289)
Last November, a dangerous bill passed from the Congressional House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee: The American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 (H.R. 2289). H.R. 2289 gives telecommunication companies de-facto power over local zoning laws. It provides no public safety protections for construction of “deemed granted” facilities.
Sites will be constructed without any action by or notice to the local government. H.R. 2289 denies local governments the ability to ensure public safety, manage traffic, protect existing utilities and workers, and maintain fair competition—no reciprocal obligations on providers. It lets these service providers install facilities where they choose regardless of local zoning. This eliminates the ability of local government to balance providers’ and neighbors’ interests.
Not only will local authorities have no control of the rights-of-way, but they can no longer depend on the revenue generated by franchise fees. Eliminating cable franchise renewals would end state or local governments’ ability to enforce franchise obligations—including buildouts, customer service, and PEG channels. Municipalities will lose hundreds of thousands of dollars annually and local programming that provides transparency to the local residents.
In an effort to make our leaders aware of the implications of this act, the Jersey Access Group created these two videos:
1. A three-minute video which details the harmful points of H.R. 2289
3 Minute Video on H.R. 2289 Via DropBox
3 Minute Video on HR 2289 Via YouTube
2. A one-minute overview of H.R. 2289
1 Minute Video on HR 2289 via DropBox
1 Minute Video on HR 2289 via YouTube
Act now! Forward both these videos to your local, state and federal lawmakers to keep everyone aware and informed of how dangerous H.R. 2289 can be to local municipalities. To keep your community informed, air these videos on your television stations and other communications channels.
Share this:
Like this:
Category: Latest JAG News, Legislation/Regulation