Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2023

Subjects: Science, Technology, Communications


<html><body><pre>[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3301 Introduced in House (IH)]

&lt;DOC&gt;






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3301

   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

                              May 15, 2023

  Mr. Dunn of Florida (for himself and Mr. Bilirakis) 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 2023''.

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.
                                 &lt;all&gt;
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