In the Press...
TAPinto Gold Coast article on Smith's new broadband bill'Spring Lake & Belmar in Verizon Lawsuit—Now Congress Steps In on Controversial Bill''Bill's withdrawal seen as a win for local control as Spring Lake meeting set to address next steps'By Jim Lonergan SPRING LAKE, NJ - As Spring Lake and Belmar continue their legal battle with Verizon over wireless infrastructure, a controversial federal bill that could have further limited local control has been pulled from consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives—marking a temporary win for communities pushing back against expanding telecom development. The bill, H.R. 2289 — the American Broadband Deployment Act, was designed to accelerate the rollout of broadband and wireless infrastructure nationwide by streamlining the approval process and limiting regulatory barriers. However, critics argued that those efficiencies would come at the expense of local oversight. At its core, the legislation proposed several major changes, including imposing strict federal deadlines—often referred to as “shot clocks”—for municipalities to approve or deny telecom applications, allowing certain projects to be automatically approved if those deadlines were missed, limiting environmental and historic preservation reviews, and expanding federal authority over infrastructure placed in local rights-of-way.
Wireless infrastructure, as defined in the bill, extends far beyond traditional cell towers. It includes small cell antennas mounted on utility poles and streetlights, equipment cabinets placed in public rights-of-way, distributed antenna systems used to improve indoor coverage, and the fiber networks that connect these systems. As 5G and broadband expansion continue, more of this infrastructure is being installed closer to residential neighborhoods and everyday public spaces—raising the stakes for local communities. Supporters of the bill argued that reducing regulatory delays is essential to improving connectivity, lowering costs, and supporting economic growth. But opponents—including local governments and national municipal organizations—warned that the legislation would significantly weaken local zoning authority and limit community input. Critics pointed specifically to the “deemed granted” provision, which could allow projects to move forward without meaningful review if municipalities failed to act within federally imposed timelines. The bill had advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee earlier this year in a narrow 26–24 vote, signaling early divisions. It was later scheduled for consideration in the House Rules Committee on April 20, 2026, but was ultimately not advanced for a full House vote—effectively halting its progress. Local advocates say opposition from municipalities and community groups across the country played a key role in stopping the bill. Among those voicing strong opposition was Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). “I expressed my strong opposition to the provisions in the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 (HR 2289), which, as drafted, would undercut local leaders and citizens, who should be heard when their communities are threatened by unchecked commercial interests, such as industrial wind and communication conglomerates,” Smith said. Smith emphasized that local communities should retain control over decisions that directly impact them. “The people who live in our communities know them best,” he said. “That is why I have introduced HR 8354, the Securing Local Communities in Broadband Development Act, legislation to ensure that the concerns of local communities are heard during the planning and development stages of 5G infrastructure projects.” He also pointed to broader concerns with existing federal regulations. “My bill seeks to nullify two regulations issued by the FCC that have unfairly advantaged the telecommunications industry; the first being ‘shot clocks,’ which put small towns on a timer when reviewing the installation of telecommunications equipment, and the second being the FCC’s narrow definitions of when towns can use aesthetic and other concerns to regulate the installation of poles,” Smith said. “The American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025, which was thankfully shelved for now, would do the exact opposite,” he added. “My legislation takes a different approach, giving local governments a say in the countrywide buildout of 5G infrastructure, which has infringed upon the rights of small municipalities for far too long.” For communities along the Jersey Shore and across the country, the bill’s withdrawal is being viewed as a significant—if temporary—win for local control. Had it passed, municipalities could have faced reduced ability to influence infrastructure placement, limited time to review applications, and increased likelihood of approvals moving forward without full local input. As the issue continues to evolve, local organizers are planning an informational meeting in Spring Lake to update residents on both local and federal developments. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the location shared via invitation. The session will cover ongoing legal matters involving Belmar and Spring Lake vs. Verizon, updates on federal advocacy efforts related to H.R. 2289, and broader policy developments. Scheduled speakers include Miriam Eckenfels, Scott McCollough, and Mary Holland of Children’s Health Defense. Organizers say the goal is to provide residents with a clearer understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape while outlining next steps for community involvement. While H.R. 2289 has been pulled for now, the broader issue is far from settled. Federal policymakers and industry groups continue to push for faster infrastructure deployment, while local governments seek to maintain control over zoning and community planning decisions. For communities like Spring Lake, the outcome of this bill represents an important moment—but not the end of the conversation. |
