Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025
Last recorded step: House, Feb 12, 2026.
Nothing scheduled on the calendars we hold.
This bill would limit federal permit requirements for undersea fiber optic cable activities in national marine sanctuaries.
What it does
This bill would prohibit the Department of Commerce from requiring additional permits or authorizations for the installation and maintenance of undersea fiber optic cables in national marine sanctuaries, provided the activity is already licensed by another state or federal agency. The proposal covers activities including the operation, repair, and recovery of these cables. Additionally, it would allow the Department of Commerce to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to coordinate with other federal agencies on actions that may impact sanctuary resources during these cable-related activities.
Who is affected
This bill affects the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by limiting their authority to enforce permit requirements for undersea fiber optic cables in national marine sanctuaries. It also impacts state and federal agencies that issue licenses or permits for cable-related activities. Additionally, entities involved in the installation, operation, maintenance, or repair of undersea fiber optic cables are affected by the removal of certain authorization requirements.
Key provisions
- Limitation on Department of Commerce permit enforcement. The Department of Commerce is prohibited from requiring authorizations or enforcing permit requirements for undersea fiber optic cable activities if a state or federal agency has already issued a license, lease, or permit for that activity.
- Definition of covered undersea cable activities. The bill specifies that protected activities include the installation, operation, maintenance, repair, recovery, and continued presence of undersea fiber optic cables within national marine sanctuaries.
- Interagency cooperation on sanctuary resource protection. The Department of Commerce may direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to coordinate with other federal agencies regarding actions involving undersea cables that may damage or destroy resources in a national marine sanctuary.
Fiscal impact
- H.R. 261, Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025· As reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on July 2, 2025
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
This bill modifies the Department of Commerce's regulatory authority over national marine sanctuaries by prohibiting the enforcement of certain permit requirements for undersea fiber optic cables when other state or federal authorizations exist. It also addresses interagency cooperation procedures involving the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration regarding federal actions that may impact sanctuary resources.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to streamline the regulatory process for undersea fiber optic cables by prohibiting the Department of Commerce from requiring additional permits for cable-related activities in national marine sanctuaries if a state or federal license has already been issued. It also seeks to facilitate interagency cooperation regarding federal actions that may impact resources within these sanctuaries during cable installation, operation, or maintenance.