RAPID Act

HR 3323 (RAPID Act) streamlines permitting for small wireless infrastructure by exempting small personal wireless service facilities (like compact cell towers under 3 cubic feet) from standard environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and historic preservation reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act. The bill creates a 45-day presumption that tribal nations have disclaimed interest in projects if they don’t respond to FCC forms requesting input, unless tribes provide evidence the applicant failed to follow up properly or FCC rules violate existing agreements. This directly affects wireless providers deploying small-scale 5G infrastructure and tribal nations consulted during the permitting process. The law aims to accelerate deployment by reducing regulatory delays while establishing a clearer process for tribal consultation.