NEPTUNE Act

This bill lets the Navy sign contracts to build up to two ships that can lay and repair undersea cables. Any payments depend on money that Congress later approves, and if the contract ends early, the government only owes up to the amount already set aside for it.

It also says the Navy cannot retire the USNS Zeus, its current cable‑laying ship, until a new ship with equal or better abilities is fully up and running. The replacement must be a Navy ship, not a leased commercial vessel.

Key points

• Who is affected: The Navy and shipbuilders that make specialized cable‑laying ships.
• What changes: Allows contracts for up to two new ships; limits early‑termination costs; keeps the USNS Zeus in service until a true Navy replacement is fully operational.
• When: The limits on retiring the current ship last until a replacement reaches full operational capability.