S. 2873
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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES · September 18 (legislative day, September 16), 2025 · Sponsor: Mrs. Blackburn · Committee: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Table of contents
SEC. 1. Short title
- This Act may be cited as the Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025.
SEC. 2. Prohibition on requiring authorizations for undersea fiber optic cables previously authorized by Federal or State agencies
- The National Marine Sanctuaries Act () is amended by inserting after section 310 () the following: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1441
- (a) In general
- Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary may not prohibit or require any 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 authorizing such installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery.
- (b) Interagency cooperation
- The Secretary may direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to engage in 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.
- (a) In general