Legis Daily

Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act

USA119th CongressHR-1588| House 
| Updated: 2/4/2026
Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Republican Representative

Iowa

Cosponsors (2)
Greg Landsman (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)

Agriculture Committee, Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act" mandates that the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information submit regular reports to Congress. These reports will detail whether the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture have successfully established online portals for handling Form 299s. The primary purpose of these portals is to accept, process, and dispose of applications for communications use authorizations on federal lands. Specifically, the Assistant Secretary must report every 90 days initially, then every 60 days, until notified by the respective Secretaries that their online portals are operational. The reports must also identify any barriers hindering the establishment of these digital systems. Form 299s are critical for obtaining easements, rights-of-way, or licenses to locate or modify communications facilities on public lands and National Forest System lands. This legislation aims to streamline the authorization process for infrastructure deployment by addressing obstacles to digital application management.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1156
Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3283
Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-7367
Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 26, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 26, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Nov 18, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Nov 18, 2025
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Dec 3, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 0.
Dec 3, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Feb 4, 2026
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-486, Part I.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1156
    Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3283
    Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-7367
    Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act


  • February 26, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 26, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • February 26, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.


  • November 18, 2025
    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.


  • November 18, 2025
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • December 3, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 0.


  • December 3, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • February 4, 2026
    Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-486, Part I.

Science, Technology, Communications

Broadcasting, cable, digital technologiesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsInternet, web applications, social mediaPerformance measurement

Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act

USA119th CongressHR-1588| House 
| Updated: 2/4/2026
The "Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act" mandates that the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information submit regular reports to Congress. These reports will detail whether the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture have successfully established online portals for handling Form 299s. The primary purpose of these portals is to accept, process, and dispose of applications for communications use authorizations on federal lands. Specifically, the Assistant Secretary must report every 90 days initially, then every 60 days, until notified by the respective Secretaries that their online portals are operational. The reports must also identify any barriers hindering the establishment of these digital systems. Form 299s are critical for obtaining easements, rights-of-way, or licenses to locate or modify communications facilities on public lands and National Forest System lands. This legislation aims to streamline the authorization process for infrastructure deployment by addressing obstacles to digital application management.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1156
Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3283
Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-7367
Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 26, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 26, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Nov 18, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Nov 18, 2025
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Dec 3, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 0.
Dec 3, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Feb 4, 2026
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-486, Part I.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1156
    Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3283
    Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-7367
    Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act


  • February 26, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 26, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • February 26, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.


  • November 18, 2025
    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.


  • November 18, 2025
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • December 3, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 0.


  • December 3, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • February 4, 2026
    Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-486, Part I.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Republican Representative

Iowa

Cosponsors (2)
Greg Landsman (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)

Agriculture Committee, Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee, Natural Resources Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologiesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsInternet, web applications, social mediaPerformance measurement