Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Marsha Blackburn
Introduced
Summary
Protects undersea fiber optic cable projects that already have federal or state permits from being stopped or forced to get extra sanctuary permissions. This bill would bar the Secretary from prohibiting or demanding any additional authorization for installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables when a federal or state license, lease, or permit already authorizes those activities.
Show full summary
- Cable operators and contractors would get clearer legal certainty for projects that cross national marine sanctuaries, lowering the risk of new sanctuary-level permit hurdles.
- Holders of existing federal or state licenses would not need to seek separate sanctuary approvals for the same cable activities.
- NOAA and sanctuary managers would be authorized to carry out interagency cooperation under section 304(d) when related federal actions involve those cable activities.
- The bill does not create new funding, programs, phase-ins, sunsets, or eligibility rules.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
No extra permits for undersea cables
This bill would stop national marine sanctuary managers from banning or requiring extra permits for undersea fiber optic cables when a federal or state license, lease, or permit already allows the same work. It would cover installation, presence, operation, maintenance, repair, and recovery of cables. The bill would also let the Secretary direct NOAA to coordinate with other federal agencies on federal actions involving those cables in sanctuaries. If enacted, these changes would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Marsha Blackburn
TN • R
Cosponsors
Eric Schmitt
MO • R
Sponsored 10/1/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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