; or (2) has been designated as served due to a pending broadband development project, if, 3 years after the date on which the project becomes a pending broadband development project, the project has yet to begin significant construction or meet major deployment obligations for the project. . 3. USDA permitting reform (a) In general Notwithstanding paragraph (3)(A) of section 6409(b) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 ( 47 U.S.C. 1455(b) ), not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary of Agriculture receives a duly filed application under that section for an easement, right-of-way, or lease to install, construct, modify, or maintain a communications facility installation for the provision of broadband internet access service (as defined in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation)) using funding provided under a program of the Department of Agriculture, the Secretary of Agriculture shall— (1) conduct any environmental or other reviews necessary to determine whether to grant or deny the application, including under section 306108 of title 54, United States Code; (2) grant or deny, on behalf of the Federal Government, the application; and (3) notify the applicant of the grant or denial. (b) Applicability of laws Section 6409(b) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 ( 47 U.S.C. 1455(b) ) (other than paragraph (3)(A) of that section) shall apply to the requirements under subsection (a). 4. Broadband requirements council (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Appropriate congressional committees The term appropriate congressional committees means— (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; (C) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives