Data collection procedures relating to the processing of applications for broadband project permits on Federal land; Report

(a) Definition of applicable deadline In this section, the term applicable deadline, with respect to an application for a broadband project permit on Federal land, means the deadline for that application established by section 6409(b)(3)(A) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1455(b)(3)(A)). (b) Data collection procedures Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries concerned, acting jointly, shall establish standardized procedures for internally tracking within Federal land management agencies the following data relating to applications for broadband project permits on Federal land: (1) The number of applications that are pending on or after the applicable deadline. (2) The number of applications that have been approved by the applicable deadline. (3) The number of applications that were approved after the applicable deadline. (4) The number of applications that have been denied by the applicable deadline. (5) The number of applications that have been denied after the applicable deadline. (6) The number of applications that have been withdrawn before the applicable deadline. (7) The number of applications that were withdrawn after the applicable deadline. (8) The average processing time for applications. (9) In the case of applications that were approved after the applicable deadline, the average number of days by which the approval exceeded the applicable deadline. (c) Report on delays in the approval of applications for broadband projects on Federal land Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretaries concerned establish the procedures under subsection (b), the Secretaries concerned, acting jointly, shall submit to the Committees on Energy and Natural Resources, Environment and Public Works, and Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture of the House of Representatives a report that— (1) describes and analyzes the data collected in accordance with those procedures, including an analysis of any factors causing a delay in the approval of applications for broadband project permits on Federal land; and (2) provides recommendations to address any of the factors identified under paragraph (1) in order to accelerate broadband project permitting on Federal land.