Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act

This bill creates rules for when internet and phone companies want to install equipment near railroad tracks. If a company wants to put equipment in a railroad's right-of-way area, they must ask the railroad for permission, and the railroad has 60 days to say yes or no. The railroad can only say no for safety reasons or if the equipment would damage railroad infrastructure. If a company already has government permission to work in a public area that crosses railroad property, they only need to notify the railroad and don't have to pay fees. Companies must pay railroads for actual costs when applying for permission, and work must be coordinated with the railroad and start within certain timeframes. The Federal Communications Commission will make detailed rules to carry out these requirements.

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