Telecommunications Cable Vandalism

Summary#

The Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act of 2026 would amend section 1362 of title 18 of the United States Code, a federal law. Its stated goal is to address vandalism of certain cables used for telecommunications and information services. The bill is not law; it has been read twice and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

  • It would make it unlawful to willfully or maliciously damage, destroy, or steal copper, fiber, or coaxial cable used for those services, if the cable is used in or affects interstate or foreign commerce.
  • The offense would cover attempts and conspiracies, and cables already in use or still being built.
  • It would not apply this new cable offense to customer premises equipment: equipment on a customer’s property that the customer owns, rents, or leases.
  • A violation of the bill’s listed offenses would carry a fine under federal law, up to 10 years in prison, or both. The bill does not state a specific fine amount.

What it means for you#

  • People: Someone who willfully or maliciously damages, destroys, or steals covered cable—or attempts or conspires to do so—could face the new federal offense and its penalty, if the bill becomes law and its conditions are met.
  • Telecommunications and information service providers: The bill would add a specific offense covering theft and attempted or planned theft of certain cables. It does not create a process for providers to report damage or seek compensation.
  • Customers: The new cable offense would not apply to customer premises equipment as the bill defines it. This is not a general exemption from other laws.
  • General public: The bill does not directly change service rights, fees, or access to telecommunications or information services.

Money#

No publicly available information on the bill’s cost.

  • The bill sets a possible criminal penalty but does not give a specific fine amount.
  • The supplied material does not estimate government costs, savings, or staffing needs.

What is unclear#

  • The current text of section 1362 was not supplied, so I could not verify how the bill’s changes compare with current law or how they interact with its existing limits.
  • The bill does not define “willfully or maliciously” or explain how those terms apply to the new offense.
  • The bill does not specify an effective date.
  • The bill adds a limitation concerning certain lawful concerted activities, but the supplied text does not include the full existing provision. Its effect on the new offense is unclear.

Case for#

  • The bill would expressly cover theft, attempts, and conspiracies involving the listed cables, not just damage or destruction.
  • It would cover cables being built as well as cables already in use, which could protect infrastructure before it begins carrying service.
  • The customer-equipment exception limits the new offense so it does not apply to equipment on a customer’s property that the customer owns, rents, or leases.

Case against#

  • The offense could carry up to 10 years in prison, but the bill does not explain how that maximum would apply to different kinds of conduct.
  • The bill covers cables in construction and cables that affect interstate or foreign commerce; the supplied text does not explain how those conditions would be assessed.
  • Without the current text of section 1362, it is hard to judge whether the bill fills a gap, duplicates existing rules, or changes how existing limits work.