House Bill 261
119th Congress(2025-2026)
Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025
Active
Amendments
Passed House on Feb 11, 2026
Bill Intelligence
The bill prohibits authorities from denying permits or authorizations for undersea fiber optic cables approved by Federal or State agencies. It also removes restrictions on activities covered by sanctuary special use permits under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. This bill aims to streamline the process for installing, maintaining, and repairing undersea fiber optic cables in national marine sanctuaries by limiting authorities' ability to prohibit or require permits for such activities.
Bill Intelligence uses AI to analyze bill texts and other data. AI-generated content can contain mistakes, so the content should be reviewed for accuracy. This AI-generated content is not a replacement for reading the bill text.
If you spot anything that needs to be corrected, contact us at support@billsponsor.com or on social media.
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
261
Congress
119
Policy Area
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Primary focus of measure is natural areas (including wilderness); lands under government jurisdiction; land use practices and policies; parks, monuments, and historic sites; fisheries and marine resources; mining and minerals. Measures concerning energy supplies and production may fall under Energy policy area.
Question
On Passage
Status
Passed
Type
Roll Call Vote
Roll Call Vote
A vote that records the individual position of each Member who voted. Such votes occurring on the House floor (by the "yeas and nays" or by "recorded vote") are taken by electronic device. The Senate has no electronic voting system; in such votes, Senators answer "yea" or "nay" as the clerk calls each name aloud. Each vote is compiled by clerks and receives a roll call number (referenced in Congress.gov as a "Record Vote" [Senate] or "Roll no." [House]).
Roll Call Type
Yea-And-Nay
Roll Number
67
House Roll Call Votes
Yes
Alabama
Alabama
Yes
Alabama
Alabama
Yes
Alabama
Alabama
Yes
Alabama
Alabama
Yes
Alabama
Alabama
No
Alabama
Alabama
No
Alabama
Alabama
Yes
Alaska
Alaska
Yes
Arizona
Arizona
No
Arizona
Arizona
Yes
Arizona
Arizona
Yes
Arizona
Arizona
Yes
Arizona
Arizona
No
Arizona
Arizona
Yes
Arizona
Arizona
Yes
Arizona
Arizona
No
Arizona
Arizona
Yes
Arkansas
Arkansas
Yes
Arkansas
Arkansas
Yes
Arkansas
Arkansas
Yes
Arkansas
Arkansas
Yes
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
Yes
California
California
No
California
California
Yes
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
Yes
California
California
Yes
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
Yes
California
California
Yes
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
No
California
California
Yes
California
California
Yes
California
California
Yes
California
California
No
California
California
No
Colorado
Colorado
No
Colorado
Colorado
Yes
Colorado
Colorado
No
Colorado
Colorado
Yes
Colorado
Colorado
Yes
Colorado
Colorado
No
Colorado
Colorado
Yes
Colorado
Colorado
No
Connecticut
Connecticut
No
Connecticut
Connecticut
No
Connecticut
Connecticut
No
Connecticut
Connecticut
No
Connecticut
Connecticut
No
Delaware
Delaware
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
No
Florida
Florida
No
Florida
Florida
No
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
No
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
No
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
No
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
No
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
No
Florida
Florida
Yes
Florida
Florida
Yes
Georgia
Georgia
Yes
Georgia
Georgia
Yes
Georgia
Georgia
Yes
Georgia
Georgia
Yes
Georgia
Georgia
No
Georgia
Georgia
No
Georgia
Georgia
No
Georgia
Georgia
Yes
Georgia
Georgia
No
Georgia
Georgia
Yes
Georgia
Georgia
Didn't Vote
Georgia
Georgia
No
Georgia
Georgia
No
Hawaii
Hawaii
No
Hawaii
Hawaii
Yes
Idaho
Idaho
Yes
Idaho
Idaho
No
Illinois
Illinois
No
Illinois
Illinois
No
Illinois
Illinois
Yes
Illinois
Illinois
No
Illinois
Illinois
No
Illinois
Illinois
No
Illinois
Illinois
No
Illinois
Illinois
No
Illinois
Illinois
No
Illinois
Illinois
Yes
Illinois
Illinois
Yes
Illinois
Illinois
No
Illinois
Illinois
No
Illinois
Illinois
No
Illinois
Illinois
No
Illinois
Illinois
No
Illinois
Illinois
No
Indiana
Indiana
Yes
Indiana
Indiana
No
Indiana
Indiana
Yes
Indiana
Indiana
Yes
Indiana
Indiana
Yes
Indiana
Indiana
Yes
Indiana
Indiana
Yes
Indiana
Indiana
Yes
Indiana
Indiana
Yes
Iowa
Iowa
Yes
Iowa
Iowa
Yes
Iowa
Iowa
Yes
Iowa
Iowa
Yes
Kansas
Kansas
Yes
Kansas
Kansas
No
Kansas
Kansas
Yes
Kansas
Kansas
Yes
Kentucky
Kentucky
Yes
Kentucky
Kentucky
Yes
Kentucky
Kentucky
Yes
Kentucky
Kentucky
No
Kentucky
Kentucky
Yes
Kentucky
Kentucky
Yes
Louisiana
Louisiana
No
Louisiana
Louisiana
Yes
Louisiana
Louisiana
Yes
Louisiana
Louisiana
Yes
Louisiana
Louisiana
No
Louisiana
Louisiana
No
Maine
Maine
No
Maine
Maine
Yes
Maryland
Maryland
No
Maryland
Maryland
No
Maryland
Maryland
No
Maryland
Maryland
No
Maryland
Maryland
No
Maryland
Maryland
No
Maryland
Maryland
No
Maryland
Maryland
No
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
No
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
No
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
No
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
No
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
No
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
No
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
No
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
No
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Yes
Michigan
Michigan
No
Michigan
Michigan
No
Michigan
Michigan
No
Michigan
Michigan
Yes
Michigan
Michigan
Yes
Michigan
Michigan
Yes
Michigan
Michigan
No
Michigan
Michigan
Yes
Michigan
Michigan
No
Michigan
Michigan
No
Michigan
Michigan
Yes
Michigan
Michigan
Yes
Michigan
Michigan
No
Minnesota
Minnesota
No
Minnesota
Minnesota
Yes
Minnesota
Minnesota
No
Minnesota
Minnesota
No
Minnesota
Minnesota
Yes
Minnesota
Minnesota
Yes
Minnesota
Minnesota
Yes
Minnesota
Minnesota
No
Mississippi
Mississippi
Yes
Mississippi
Mississippi
Yes
Mississippi
Mississippi
Yes
Mississippi
Mississippi
Yes
Missouri
Missouri
No
Missouri
Missouri
Yes
Missouri
Missouri
Yes
Missouri
Missouri
Yes
Missouri
Missouri
Yes
Missouri
Missouri
Yes
Missouri
Missouri
No
Missouri
Missouri
Yes
Montana
Montana
Yes
Montana
Montana
Yes
Nebraska
Nebraska
Yes
Nebraska
Nebraska
Yes
Nebraska
Nebraska
No
Nevada
Nevada
Yes
Nevada
Nevada
No
Nevada
Nevada
No
Nevada
Nevada
No
New Hampshire
New Hampshire
No
New Hampshire
New Hampshire
No
New Jersey
New Jersey
Yes
New Jersey
New Jersey
No
New Jersey
New Jersey
No
New Jersey
New Jersey
No
New Jersey
New Jersey
Yes
New Jersey
New Jersey
Yes
New Jersey
New Jersey
No
New Jersey
New Jersey
No
New Jersey
New Jersey
No
New Jersey
New Jersey
Yes
New Jersey
New Jersey
No
New Mexico
New Mexico
No
New Mexico
New Mexico
No
New Mexico
New Mexico
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
Yes
New York
New York
Yes
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
Yes
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
Yes
New York
New York
Yes
New York
New York
Yes
New York
New York
Yes
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
No
New York
New York
Yes
North Carolina
North Carolina
No
North Carolina
North Carolina
Yes
North Carolina
North Carolina
Yes
North Carolina
North Carolina
Yes
North Carolina
North Carolina
No
North Carolina
North Carolina
No
North Carolina
North Carolina
Didn't Vote
North Carolina
North Carolina
Yes
North Carolina
North Carolina
Yes
North Carolina
North Carolina
Yes
North Carolina
North Carolina
Yes
North Carolina
North Carolina
No
North Carolina
North Carolina
Yes
North Carolina
North Carolina
Yes
North Dakota
North Dakota
Yes
Ohio
Ohio
Yes
Ohio
Ohio
Yes
Ohio
Ohio
No
Ohio
Ohio
No
Ohio
Ohio
Yes
Ohio
Ohio
No
Ohio
Ohio
No
Ohio
Ohio
Yes
Ohio
Ohio
Yes
Ohio
Ohio
Yes
Ohio
Ohio
Yes
Ohio
Ohio
No
Ohio
Ohio
Yes
Ohio
Ohio
Yes
Ohio
Ohio
Yes
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Yes
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Yes
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Yes
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Yes
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
No
Oregon
Oregon
Yes
Oregon
Oregon
No
Oregon
Oregon
No
Oregon
Oregon
No
Oregon
Oregon
No
Oregon
Oregon
No
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
No
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
No
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
No
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Yes
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
No
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Yes
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Yes
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Yes
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Yes
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
No
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
No
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Yes
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Yes
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Yes
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Yes
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
No
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
No
Rhode Island
Rhode Island
No
Rhode Island
Rhode Island
No
South Carolina
South Carolina
Yes
South Carolina
South Carolina
Yes
South Carolina
South Carolina
Yes
South Carolina
South Carolina
Yes
South Carolina
South Carolina
Yes
South Carolina
South Carolina
Yes
South Carolina
South Carolina
Yes
South Dakota
South Dakota
Yes
Tennessee
Tennessee
Yes
Tennessee
Tennessee
Yes
Tennessee
Tennessee
Yes
Tennessee
Tennessee
Yes
Tennessee
Tennessee
Yes
Tennessee
Tennessee
Yes
Tennessee
Tennessee
No
Tennessee
Tennessee
Yes
Tennessee
Tennessee
No
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
No
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
No
Texas
Texas
No
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
No
Texas
Texas
No
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
No
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
No
Texas
Texas
No
Texas
Texas
No
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
No
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
No
Texas
Texas
No
Texas
Texas
Yes
Texas
Texas
Yes
Utah
Utah
Yes
Utah
Utah
Yes
Utah
Utah
Yes
Utah
Utah
No
Vermont
Vermont
Yes
Virginia
Virginia
No
Virginia
Virginia
No
Virginia
Virginia
No
Virginia
Virginia
No
Virginia
Virginia
Yes
Virginia
Virginia
No
Virginia
Virginia
Yes
Virginia
Virginia
Yes
Virginia
Virginia
Yes
Virginia
Virginia
No
Virginia
Virginia
No
Washington
Washington
Yes
Washington
Washington
No
Washington
Washington
No
Washington
Washington
No
Washington
Washington
No
Washington
Washington
Yes
Washington
Washington
No
Washington
Washington
No
Washington
Washington
No
Washington
Washington
Yes
West Virginia
West Virginia
Yes
West Virginia
West Virginia
Yes
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Yes
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Yes
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
No
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
No
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Yes
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Yes
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Yes
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Yes
Wyoming
Wyoming
Summary
Undersea 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.
February 12, 2026
February 11, 2026
July 2, 2025
January 9, 2025
Amendments (1)
Displaying only amendments with a detailed public record (0)
Sort by most recent
02/12/2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
02/11/2026
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
02/11/2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
02/11/2026
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 212 (Roll no. 67). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2162)
02/11/2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 212 (Roll no. 67).
02/11/2026
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 216 (Roll no. 66).
02/11/2026
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2169-2171)
02/11/2026
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 261, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Carbajal demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
02/11/2026
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
02/11/2026
Mr. Carbajal moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H2166)
02/11/2026
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
02/11/2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 261.
02/11/2026
Rule provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one motion to recommit H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617, and one motion to commit S. 1383.
02/11/2026
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1057. (consideration: CR H2161-2166)
02/11/2026
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1057 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one motion to recommit H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617, and one motion to commit S. 1383.
02/09/2026
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1042 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
07/02/2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 146.
07/02/2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-181.
06/25/2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 18.
06/25/2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
06/25/2025
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
01/23/2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
01/21/2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
01/09/2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
01/09/2025
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Jun 13, 2026 2:26:22 AM