I 
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 histor-
ical 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 fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a pe-
riod to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for con-
sideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To provide that a project to replace or improve a communica-
tions facility following a major disaster or an emergency 
declared by the President is not subject to requirements 
to prepare certain environmental or historical preserva-
tion reviews, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Connecting Commu-
nities Post Disasters Act of 2023’’. 
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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 Na-
tional Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4332(2)(C)). 
(b) NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT EX-
EMPTION.—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 sec-
tion 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 dis-
aster or an emergency under the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); 
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(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 facil-
ity in such area that could reasonably be con-
sidered as necessary for recovery from such dis-
aster 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 au-
thorizations, certifications, opinions, or other 
approvals as may be required under Federal law 
with respect to a covered project. 
Æ 
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