Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act
United States116th CongressHR-1941House of Representatives
Updated: Sep 12, 2019
Summary
Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act This bill revises provisions related to oil and gas leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf. (Sec. 2) The Department of the Interior must publicize reports regarding onsite inspections of each facility on the Outer Continental Shelf that is subject to safety and environmental regulations. Interior must also publicize information about each payment made into the Ocean Energy Safety Fund, including the facility name, operator name, and the payment amount. (Sec. 3) The bill prohibits Interior from offering any tract for oil and gas leasing or preleasing in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf planning area (North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and the Straits of Florida) or the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf planning area (Washington/Oregon, Northern California, Central California, and Southern California). (Sec. 4) Interior must collect non-refundable fees from the operators of facilities subject to inspection under this bill, including inspection fees for offshore energy facilities and oil drilling rigs. All fees collected must be deposited into the Ocean Energy Safety Fund. (Sec. 6) Interior must report to Congress on whether this bill poses a risk to national security due to potential increase in dependence on foreign oil. (Sec. 7) The Government Accountability Office must report on the impacts of offshore drilling on coastal communities and coastal economies. (Sec. 8) The bill prohibits conducting geological or geophysical activities in support of oil, gas, or methane hydrate exploration and development in any area located in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. (Sec. 9) The Department of Commerce must conduct a study to determine the potential economic impact of offshore drilling on tourism, commercial fishing, recreational fishing, boating, transportation, and other waterfront-related and coastal-related businesses.
Bill texts
Timeline
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 194 - 233 (Roll no. 524).
House of Representatives
View voteOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 238 - 189 (Roll no. 525).
House of Representatives
View voteMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
House of Representatives
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Senate