H.R. 261

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an 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 previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · January 9, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Carter of Georgia · Committee: Committee on Natural Resources

Table of contents

• H.R. 261
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Prohibition on prohibiting, or requiring permits or other authorizations for, undersea fiber optic cables authorized by a Federal or State agency
  • SEC. 3. Removing restrictions on activities covered by sanctuary special use permits

SEC. 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 () is amended by inserting after section 310 the following: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.
  • (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 () is amended— 16 U.S.C. 1441(c)
  • in paragraph (1), by adding at the end; and
  • by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); and
  • by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2).