16 U.S.C. § 8451 — Connect our parks

(a) Definitions. "Appropriate committees of Congress" means the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "Broadband internet access service" and "cellular service" have the meanings given in specific FCC regulations (title 47, Code of Federal Regulations). "National Park" means a unit of the National Park System. "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service. (b) Assessment. (1) Within 1 year after January 4, 2025, the Secretary must finish an assessment of National Parks to identify the locations that most need broadband internet access, and the areas that most need cellular service. (2) For broadband, the Secretary must consider, for each park, how available broadband is in housing, administrative buildings and related structures, lodging, developed campgrounds, and any other location the park superintendent decides needs it. For cellular service, the Secretary must consider how available it is in any developed area of the park, in ways that would improve public access to emergency services and travel information, or improve communication for Park Service employees. (3) Once finished, the Secretary must send a report on the assessment's results to the appropriate congressional committees, and post it on the Department of the Interior's website. (c) Plan. (1) Within 3 years after January 4, 2025, based on the assessment and subject to the limit in paragraph (4), the Secretary must develop a plan to install broadband infrastructure in certain park locations and cellular equipment and infrastructure in certain park areas. (2) While developing the plan, the Secretary must consult with affected Indian Tribes and with local stakeholders the relevant park superintendent identifies as appropriate. (3) The plan must: avoid or minimize harm to park viewsheds, cultural and natural resources, the visitor experience, historic properties and their viewsheds, and other park resources or values; place infrastructure in previously disturbed or developed areas, or in areas already zoned to support it; use public-private partnerships to install and provide broadband or cellular service; stay technology-neutral; and, for broadband, provide at least 100 Mbps download speed and 20 Mbps upload speed. (4) The plan does not have to address broadband or cellular service for any park where the superintendent decides that park already has adequate access.