S. 5359 — Introduced in Senate

II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5359 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 20, 2024Mrs. Blackburn introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To amend the National Marine Sanctuary Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, 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. 1. Prohibition on requiring authorizations for undersea fiber optic cables previously authorized by Federal or State agencies The National Marine Sanctuary Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 310 the following: 310A. Prohibition on requiring authorizations for undersea fiber optic cables previously authorized by Federal or State agencies (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 issued by a Federal or State agency authorizing such installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery is in effect. (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. .