H.R. 6212

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6212 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6212

To provide for a moratorium on oil and gas leasing and exploration on 
the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Florida until 2032, and 
for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 3, 2023

Mr. Rutherford (for himself, Mr. Waltz, Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida, 
Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Scott Franklin of Florida, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. 
Gimenez, Ms. Salazar, Mr. Soto, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mr. Mast, Mr. 
Donalds, Mr. Dunn of Florida, Mr. Buchanan, and Mrs. Cammack) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide for a moratorium on oil and gas leasing and exploration on 
the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Florida until 2032, and 
for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Preserving Recreation, Oceans, 
Tourism, Environment, and Coastal Towns in Florida Act'' or the 
``PROTECT Florida Act''.

SEC. 2. MORATORIUM ON OIL AND GAS LEASING AND EXPLORATION ON THE OUTER 
CONTINENTAL SHELF OFF COAST OF FLORIDA.

(a) Extension of Gulf Coast Moratorium.--Section 104(a) of the Gulf 
of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note) is 
amended--
(1) by striking ``2022'' and inserting ``2032''; and
(2) by inserting ``, and may not issue a permit for oil and 
gas exploration (as such term is defined in section 2 of the 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act) in'' after ``related 
activity''.
(b) Establishment of Atlantic Coast Moratorium.--Section 12 of the 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1431) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
``(g) Moratorium on Oil and Gas Leasing and Seismic Testing Off the 
Coast of Florida.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may not offer for oil and 
gas leasing, preleasing, or any related activity, including 
seismic testing, and may not issue a permit for oil and gas 
exploration in--
``(A) any area in the Straits of Florida Planning 
Area; and
``(B) any area in the South Atlantic Planning Area 
that is south of the northernmost lateral seaward 
administrative boundary of the State of Florida.
``(2) Application.--This subsection shall apply during the 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and 
ending on June 30, 2029.''.
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