September 15, 2025
Mr. Fry 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
To provide that a project to remove and replace communications equipment or services listed under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 is not subject to requirements to prepare certain environmental or historical preservation reviews.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Timely Replacement Under Secure and Trusted for Early and Dependable Broadband Networks Act
or the TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act
.
Sec. 2. Application of NEPA and NHPA to covered communications equipment or services
(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) Covered project
The term covered project means a project to permanently remove covered communications equipment or services (as defined in section 9 of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1608)) and to replace such covered communications equipment or services with communications equipment or services (as defined in such section) that are not covered communications equipment or services (as so defined).
(2) 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.