H.R. 3960

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3960 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3960

To provide that a project to replace or improve a communications 
facility following a major disaster or an emergency declared by the 
President is not subject to requirements to prepare certain 
environmental or historical preservation reviews, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 12, 2025

Mr. Dunn of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred 
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the 
Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide that a project to replace or improve a communications 
facility following a major disaster or an emergency declared by the 
President is not subject to requirements to prepare certain 
environmental or historical preservation reviews, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Connecting Communities Post 
Disasters Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. APPLICATION OF NEPA AND NHPA TO COVERED COMMUNICATIONS 
PROJECTS.

(a) NEPA Exemption.--A Federal authorization with respect to a 
covered project may not be considered a major Federal action under 
section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).
(b) National Historic Preservation Act Exemption.--A covered 
project may not be considered an undertaking under section 300320 of 
title 54, United States Code.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Communications facility.--The term ``communications 
facility'' has the meaning given the term ``communications 
facility installation'' in section 6409(d) of the Middle Class 
Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1455(d)).
(2) Covered project.--The term ``covered project'' means a 
project that--
(A) is to be carried out within an area for which 
the President has declared a major disaster or an 
emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.);
(B) is to be carried out not later than 5 years 
after the date on which the President made such 
declaration; and
(C) replaces a communications facility damaged by 
such disaster or emergency or makes improvements to a 
communications facility in such area that could 
reasonably be considered as necessary for recovery from 
such disaster or emergency or to prevent or mitigate 
any future disaster or emergency.
(3) Federal authorization.--The term ``Federal 
authorization''--
(A) means any authorization required under Federal 
law with respect to a covered project; and
(B) includes any permits, special use 
authorizations, certifications, opinions, or other 
approvals as may be required under Federal law with 
respect to a covered project.
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