H.R. 5147 — WIRELESS Leadership Act

This section revises the preservation of local zoning authority over personal wireless service facilities (i.e., cell sites and antennas used to provide commercial mobile services) under Section 332(c)(7) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332(c)(7)). It retains general state and local authority subject to limitations prohibiting discrimination among providers, service prohibitions or effective prohibitions, and regulation of facilities based on radio frequency emissions if compliant with FCC rules; allows objective standards for structural engineering, safety, and aesthetics (unless effectively prohibiting); and permits fees to the extent allowed by law. It further requires state and local governments to grant or deny complete applications within specified timeframes—90 days (existing structure) or 150 days (other) for non-small facilities, and 60 days (existing structure) or 90 days (other) for small facilities, except for eligible facilities requests under 47 U.S.C. 1455(a)—with the longest timeframe applying to batched requests received the same day, no tolling by moratoriums, and the request deemed granted upon written notice if no final action is taken; denials must be written, supported by substantial evidence in a public record, and issued the same day.