S.J.Res. 11 · Where this bill is now
Became law
Public Law 119-3, Mar 14, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRemoves marine archaeology report requirement
This joint resolution cancels a recent rule from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management that requires companies planning to drill for oil and gas on the ocean floor to submit archaeological reports. Instead, the old rule would come back, which lets the government only ask for these reports if it suspects archaeological remains might actually be in that area.
How it affects you
Oil and gas companies that operate on the Outer Continental Shelf would face less extensive reporting requirements when seeking approval for exploration and development projects. Most people won't feel a direct day-to-day change, but this affects how thoroughly companies have to check for historically significant material remains before drilling in ocean areas.
Read the official summary (Public Law, Mar 14, 2025)
This joint resolution rescinds a requirement for lessees and operators to submit an archaeological report with any oil and gas exploration or development plan they submit to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for approval of activities proposed on the Outer Continental Shelf. (An archaeological report identifies material remains of human life or activities that are at least 50 years old and that are of archaeological interest.)
Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies BOEM's final rule titled Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources and published on September 3, 2024.
Nullifying this rule requires BOEM to reinstate regulations that were previously in effect and authorized BOEM to require an archaeological report only if 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 SessionS.J.Res. 11
JOINT RESOLUTION
A 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: Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) · Introduced Feb 4, 2025 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 14, 2025: “Became Public Law No: 119-3.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Passage · Mar 6, 2025
Passage Passed 221–202
| Party | Yes | No | Present | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 9 | 201 | 0 | 4 |
| Republicans | 212 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
10 members voted against most of their party: 9 Democrats voted Yes and 1 Republicans voted No.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 4 official versions.