TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5358
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-15: 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.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-25T14:08:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act (H.R. 5358) aims to accelerate the removal and replacement of certain communications equipment or services deemed insecure under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019. By exempting these projects from specific environmental and historical preservation reviews, the legislation seeks to promote faster deployment of secure broadband networks, enhancing national security and reliable connectivity.
Key Provisions
- Exemption from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): Projects to remove and replace "covered" communications equipment or services are not classified as "major federal actions," meaning they do not require environmental impact assessments or statements under NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). NEPA is a law that mandates federal agencies to evaluate the environmental effects of their actions.
- Exemption from National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA): These projects are not considered "undertakings" under NHPA (54 U.S.C. 300320), avoiding reviews for potential impacts on historic sites or cultural resources. NHPA requires federal agencies to assess and mitigate harm to significant historical properties.
- Definitions:
- Covered project: Involves permanently removing insecure ("covered") communications equipment or services (e.g., those from high-risk foreign vendors like Huawei or ZTE, as defined in the 2019 Act) and replacing them with secure alternatives.
- Federal authorization: Includes any permits, approvals, certifications, or other federal permissions needed for the project.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces targeted exemptions to NEPA and NHPA specifically for secure communications replacement projects, which were previously subject to these review processes if they involved federal funding, permits, or approvals.
- It builds on the 2019 Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act by removing procedural barriers, allowing quicker implementation without altering the core requirements for environmental or historic protections in other contexts.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal bodies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or those issuing permits (e.g., under land management laws) can process authorizations faster, reducing administrative delays and costs for national security-related telecom upgrades.
- On Citizens: Could lead to quicker access to secure, reliable broadband services, improving internet safety and connectivity, especially in rural or underserved areas targeted by federal programs. However, it may limit public input on potential environmental or historical effects of these projects.
- On International Relations: Supports U.S. efforts to counter foreign telecommunications risks (e.g., from China), potentially strengthening alliances with partners prioritizing secure networks, but it does not directly address foreign policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Telecommunications Providers: Companies receiving federal reimbursements under the 2019 Act benefit from streamlined processes to remove risky equipment, lowering compliance costs and timelines.
- Federal Agencies: Entities involved in authorizations (e.g., FCC, Department of the Interior) face reduced review workloads but must ensure exemptions align with broader regulatory duties.
- Environmental and Preservation Groups: Organizations advocating for NEPA or NHPA compliance may oppose the exemptions, as they could bypass protections for ecosystems or cultural sites.
- Consumers and Businesses: End-users gain from faster secure network rollouts, potentially enhancing data privacy and economic opportunities tied to broadband.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The exemptions narrow the scope of NEPA and NHPA without repealing them, potentially inviting challenges if projects cause unintended environmental harm; courts may scrutinize whether these qualify as permissible categorical exclusions.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and national security (under Article I), but could raise due process concerns if it limits public participation in federal decision-making.
- Political: Reflects bipartisan priorities on cybersecurity and infrastructure, but may spark debate over balancing national security against environmental safeguards, especially amid ongoing U.S.-China tech tensions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-15: 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.
- 2025-09-15: 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.
- 2025-09-15: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Timely Replacement Under Secure and Trusted for Early and Dependable Broadband Networks Act — issued 2025-09-15 — PDF (3 pages)