H.J.Res. 62 · Where this bill is now
Became law through another bill
Its text was included in S.J.Res. 11, Public Law 119-3 (per the Congressional Research Service). This bill number itself: In committee.
See S.J.Res. 11 on Congress.gov ↗
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryBlocks rule requiring archaeology reports for offshore drilling
This joint resolution would cancel a rule from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management that requires oil and gas companies to provide archaeological reports when they apply for permission to explore or drill on the federal Outer Continental Shelf. Under the rule being canceled, companies would have to identify potential archaeological resources (old material remains from human activity, at least 50 years old) in the area where they plan to work. The current rule changed previous regulations that only required such reports when officials had a specific reason to think archaeological resources might be present.
How it affects you
If this resolution becomes law, oil and gas operators would no longer need to routinely submit archaeological reports for their projects on the ocean floor. The official summary doesn't spell out what this means for the public, but it would generally make it easier for offshore drilling companies to get approval for their activities, while potentially reducing the systematic review of archaeological sites in federal ocean areas.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Feb 26, 2025)
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) titled Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources and published on September 3, 2024.
The rule requires operators and lessees conducting oil and gas exploration or development on the Outer Continental Shelf and that are seeking BOEM approval for such activities to also provide BOEM with an archaeological report for the area of potential effects. The report must identify potential archaeological resources (material remains of human life or activities that are at least 50 years old and that are of archaeological interest) on the sea floor. The rule modified regulations that only required such a report when a BOEM regional director has reason to believe that an archaeological resource may be present in the lease area.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH.J.Res. 62
JOINT RESOLUTION
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management relating to "Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources".
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS-4) · Introduced Feb 26, 2025 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 26, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.”