US HR261

Bill

US HR261

Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

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Introduced
01/09/2025

In Committee
06/25/2025

Crossed Over
02/12/2026

Passed

Dead

Introduced Session

119th Congress

Bill Summary

AN ACT To amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from prohibiting, or requiring any 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 such activities have been authorized by a Federal or State agency.

AI Summary

This bill, titled the "Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025," amends the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to streamline the process for installing and maintaining undersea fiber optic cables within national marine sanctuaries. Specifically, it prohibits the Secretary of Commerce, who oversees these sanctuaries, from blocking or requiring special permits for such cable activities if they have already been authorized by another Federal or State agency. This means that if a cable project receives approval from another relevant government body, the Secretary of Commerce cannot impose additional restrictions or permit requirements within a sanctuary. The bill also clarifies that this change does not affect existing requirements for cooperation between different government agencies. Additionally, it removes certain restrictions related to special use permits for activities covered by sanctuary regulations.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (8)

Buddy Carter (R)*, Nicholas Begich (R), Cliff Bentz (R), Kat Cammack (R), Neal Dunn (R), Russell Fry (R), Jen Kiggans (R), August Pfluger (R),

Last Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (on 02/12/2026)

Official Document

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/261/all-info

(3 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/261/all-info
BillText	https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr261/BILLS-119hr261eh.pdf
BillText	https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr261/BILLS-119hr261rh.pdf
BillText	https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr261/BILLS-119hr261ih.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
HRes1042	Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2189) to modernize Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 261) 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	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.	Related
HRes1057	Providing for consideration of the bill (S. 1383) to establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2189) to modernize Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 261) to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, oper	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.	Related
S2873	Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.	Same As

Bill > HR261

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (8)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary