H.R. 5358 — TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act

This section exempts any federal authorization required for a covered project from being considered a major Federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)), which generally requires federal agencies to prepare a detailed environmental impact statement (EIS) for proposals significantly affecting the human environment. It further exempts a covered project from being considered an undertaking under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 300320), which generally requires federal agencies to consider effects on historic properties. A covered project is the permanent removal and replacement of covered communications equipment or services (i.e., equipment deemed a national security risk, such as from certain foreign vendors, under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019) with secure alternatives. (Thus, federal permits, approvals, or other authorizations for such rip-and-replace projects require neither NEPA EIS analysis nor NHPA historic preservation review.)