Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025
In committeeUndersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 This 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.
Feb 12, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Failed
The Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 amends the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prevent the requirement of additional authorizations for undersea fiber optic cables in national marine sanctuaries if they have already been authorized by a Federal or State agency. The bill aims to streamline processes for cable operations in these areas.