Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025
Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 – Summary **What the bill does:** This legislation streamlines the permitting process for installing and maintaining undersea fiber optic cables (which carry internet and telecommunications data) in national marine sanctuaries. Currently, the Department of Commerce can require additional permits for these cable projects. The bill would prevent Commerce from blocking or requiring its own permit if the project already has approval from a state or federal agency.
It also encourages different federal agencies to coordinate when cable work might affect marine resources. **Who it affects:** Internet and telecommunications companies that lay undersea cables, coastal states managing marine resources, and potentially marine ecosystems in protected underwater areas. The bill aims to make it easier for companies to expand broadband infrastructure while maintaining some environmental oversight through existing state and federal permits. **Current status:** The bill passed the House of Representatives and is now pending action in the Senate. This streamlined approach reflects a broader policy goal of reducing permitting delays for infrastructure projects, though environmental advocates have raised concerns about whether existing permits adequately protect sensitive marine sanctuaries.
CRS Official Summary
Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025This bill prohibits the Department of Commerce from enforcing certain permit requirements for activities related to undersea fiber optic cables in national marine sanctuaries. Specifically, Commerce may not prohibit or require an authorization for any covered activities related to undersea fiber optic cables if a license, lease, or permit has been issued by a state or federal agency to authorize the covered activity. Covered activities are the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary.The bill also authorizes Commerce to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to engage in interagency cooperation regarding federal agency actions that are likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure a resource in a national marine sanctuary and involve covered activities.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.