Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

House Bill

H.R. 261

119th Congress

Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 146.

Introduced:Jan 9, 2025

Primary Sponsor

David Rouzer

Representative

Republican

NC-7

Cosponsors

7

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary

This bill prohibits the Commerce Department from enforcing certain permit requirements for undersea fiber optic cable activities in national marine sanctuaries when state or federal agencies have already issued licenses, leases, or permits. Covered activities include installation, operation, maintenance, repair, and recovery of undersea cables. The bill authorizes Commerce to direct NOAA to coordinate with other agencies on actions that could affect sanctuary resources involving cable activities. This streamlines regulation of critical internet infrastructure in protected waters.

Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 146.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill prohibits the Commerce Department from enforcing certain permit requirements for undersea fiber optic cable activities in national marine sanctuaries when state or federal agencies have already issued licenses, leases, or permits. Covered activities include installation, operation, maintenance, repair, and recovery of undersea cables. The bill authorizes Commerce to direct NOAA to coordinate with other agencies on actions that could affect sanctuary resources involving cable activities. This streamlines regulation of critical internet infrastructure in protected waters.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service 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.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Limits Commerce permit requirements for undersea cables in sanctuaries
Defers to existing state or federal permits for cable activities
Covers installation, maintenance, repair, and recovery operations
Authorizes NOAA interagency cooperation on cable impacts
Streamlines regulation of internet infrastructure in marine areas

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

For telecommunications industry: Reduced regulatory burden for undersea cables. For marine sanctuaries: Maintained protection with streamlined cable permits. For internet infrastructure: Easier maintenance of critical undersea connections. For NOAA: Coordination role on cable activities in sanctuaries. For coastal states: Continued permitting authority over cables.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Subjects

Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies

Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

261, 119th Congress (2025). "Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-261