Bill Summary
The "Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025" amends the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to ensure that the installation and maintenance of undersea fiber optic cables are not subject to additional prohibitions or permit requirements from the Secretary of Commerce, provided that these activities have already been authorized by a federal or state agency. The act aims to facilitate the continued operation of undersea cables, which are critical for telecommunications and internet connectivity, by streamlining the regulatory process within national marine sanctuaries. Additionally, the legislation removes certain restrictions related to sanctuary special use permits, further simplifying the regulatory landscape for these activities. Overall, the act promotes cooperation between federal and state agencies while protecting the integrity of marine sanctuaries.
Possible Impacts
The "Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025" could affect people in several ways:
1. **Enhanced Internet Connectivity**: By streamlining the process for installing and maintaining undersea fiber optic cables within national marine sanctuaries, this legislation could lead to improved internet connectivity for communities that rely on these cables for broadband access. As more cables are installed and maintained without extensive permitting processes, individuals and businesses may experience faster and more reliable internet services.
2. **Environmental Concerns**: The legislation may raise concerns among environmental advocates and local communities regarding the potential impact of installing and maintaining undersea cables in sensitive marine ecosystems. People who depend on the health of marine life and habitats may feel that the removal of permit requirements could lead to unregulated activities that threaten biodiversity and the environment.
3. **Economic Opportunities**: The act may create economic opportunities in the telecommunications sector, particularly for companies involved in the installation and maintenance of fiber optic cables. This could lead to job creation in related fields, benefiting local economies and providing employment for skilled workers in coastal areas, as well as stimulating investments in technology infrastructure.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 261 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 261
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 12, 2026
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit the Secretary
of Commerce from prohibiting, or requiring any permit or other
authorization for, the installation, continued presence, operation,
maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a
national marine sanctuary if such activities have been authorized by a
Federal or State agency.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Undersea Cable Protection Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON PROHIBITING, OR REQUIRING PERMITS OR OTHER
AUTHORIZATIONS FOR, UNDERSEA FIBER OPTIC CABLES
AUTHORIZED BY A FEDERAL OR STATE AGENCY.
The National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) is
amended by inserting after section 310 the following:
``SEC. 310A. PROHIBITION ON PROHIBITING, OR REQUIRING PERMITS OR OTHER
AUTHORIZATIONS FOR, UNDERSEA FIBER OPTIC CABLES
AUTHORIZED BY A FEDERAL OR STATE AGENCY.
``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
the Secretary may not prohibit, or require any permit, including any
special use permit, or other authorization for, the installation,
continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of
undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if a
license, lease, or permit has been issued by a Federal or State agency,
and is in effect, authorizing such installation, continued presence,
operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery.
``(b) Interagency Cooperation.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed as altering existing requirements regarding interagency
cooperation under section 304(d) in any Federal agency action described
in that section and involving the installation, continued presence,
operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic
cables in a national marine sanctuary.''.
SEC. 3. REMOVING RESTRICTIONS ON ACTIVITIES COVERED BY SANCTUARY
SPECIAL USE PERMITS.
Section 310(c) of National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C.
1441(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding ``and'' at the end;
(2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); and
(3) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2).
Passed the House of Representatives February 11, 2026.
Attest:
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER,
Clerk.