PRIA Logo™
119-s-2873119th CongressWALLET

Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

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.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

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

Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

TN • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 10/1/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation