H.R. 513 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Jan 16, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryLimits presidential offshore development restrictions
This bill restricts how much control the President has over vast ocean areas managed by the federal government where oil, gas, and other minerals can be leased and developed. It caps how many acres the President can set aside to prevent development, requires those restrictions to last no longer than 20 years, and demands that Congress approve any restriction larger than 500,000 acres. It also requires the Department of the Interior to study the mineral resources and economic value before any restriction is put in place.
How it affects you
If you work in energy industries like oil and gas, or in communities that depend on offshore resource development, this bill could mean more opportunities for those projects to move forward. If you're concerned about ocean conservation or environmental protection of offshore areas, you'll likely see fewer restrictions on development.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jan 16, 2025)
Offshore Lands Authorities Act of 2025
This bill limits the withdrawal of unleased lands of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from areas that may be leased for mineral development and nullifies certain past withdrawals. The OCS includes the federally managed ocean area extending from the outer boundaries of state-controlled waters (generally 3 nautical miles [nmi] from shore) to 200 nmi from shore, with some exceptions.
Specifically, the bill limits the President's authority to restrict offshore development of minerals, such as oil and gas, on the OCS. For example, the bill (1) caps the number of acres of OCS lands that a President may withdraw from areas that may be leased; (2) prohibits withdrawals from being made for a period longer than 20 years; (3) prohibits the President from making withdrawals of unleased land that conflict with areas included in lease sales scheduled under approved oil and gas leasing programs; and (4) prohibits the President from withdrawing unleased lands unless the Department of the Interior has completed assessments addressing issues such as mineral resources and the national security, economic, and energy value of the identified mineral deposits.
The President must also obtain congressional approval before withdrawing more than 500,000 acres cumulatively. Further, the bill gives Congress the authority to review and disapprove withdrawals by enacting a joint resolution.
In addition, the bill nullifies certain presidential memoranda and executive orders related to withdrawing unleased land from areas that may be leased for the development of oil, gas, or other minerals on the OCS.
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. R. 513
A BILL
Offshore Lands Authorities Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA-3) · Introduced Jan 16, 2025 · Energy · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 20, 2025: “Subcommittee Hearings Held”