Bill · H.R. 3960· House(119-HR-3960)
Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 6/12/2025
- Last activity
- 6/12/2025 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- Neal Dunn
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2025," aims to streamline communication repairs after a crisis. It provides that projects to replace or improve communications facilities are exempt from certain requirements following a Presidentially declared major disaster or emergency. Specifically, these projects would not be considered major Federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Additionally, they would not be considered undertakings under the National Historic Preservation Act. This applies to projects carried out within five years of a disaster declaration. The goal is to expedite the recovery or mitigation of communications facilities damaged by such events.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+6
The bill expedites the repair and improvement of critical communication facilities.
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The bill reduces regulatory hurdles for communications infrastructure projects.
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+5
The bill speeds up the restoration of communications infrastructure following major disasters.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?-5
The reduction in historic preservation and environmental review may negatively impact indigenous lands.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-5
The bill reduces environmental oversight by exempting certain projects from NEPA requirements.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?-3
The bill reduces historical preservation oversight for infrastructure projects.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Faster Communication Recovery: By exempting projects from National Environmental Policy Act requirements, the bill allows for a project to not be considered a major Federal action (Section 2(a)). This could lead to quicker replacement or improvement of communications facilities needed for recovery after a disaster or emergency (Section 2(c)(2)(C)).
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Streamlined Infrastructure Improvements: The bill exempts covered projects from being considered undertakings under the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 2(b)). This may help in replacing or improving facilities that are necessary for recovery or to prevent future disaster impacts (Section 2(c)(2)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Reduction in Environmental Oversight: The bill states that a Federal authorization for a covered project may not be considered a major Federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Section 2(a)). This removes certain environmental review requirements for these projects.
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Reduction in Historical Preservation Oversight: The bill specifies that a covered project may not be considered an undertaking under the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 2(b)). This means these projects would not be subject to those specific historical preservation reviews.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+6
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Native Americans-5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+5Improves Environmental Protections-5Improves Public Land Management-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Due Process-3Improves Government Transparency-2
- 6/12/2025
- 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.
- Introduced in House