Strategic seabed critical mineral access

(a) Expediting issuance of certain authorizations under Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (1) In general Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in consultation with the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, shall expedite the process for reviewing and issuing licenses for exploration and permits for commercial recovery under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (30 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.). (2) Requirements In expediting the process described in paragraph (1), the entities described in that paragraph shall ensure efficiency, predictability, and competitiveness for United States companies. (b) Expediting issuance of certain authorizations under Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (1) In general Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall establish an expedited process for reviewing and approving permits for prospecting and granting leases under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.). (2) Requirements The expedited process established under paragraph (1) shall ensure efficiency, predictability, and competitiveness for United States companies. (c) Seabed mapping plan Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of State, Secretary of Commerce, and heads of other relevant Federal agencies, and in cooperation with commercial and other nongovernmental organizations, shall develop a plan to map priority areas of the seabed United States outer Continental Shelf, to include extended areas of the outer Continental Shelf, such as those with abundant or accessible seabed mineral resources, to accelerate data collection and characterization. (d) Identification of certain critical minerals Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior— (1) shall identify which critical minerals may be derived from seabed mineral resources; and (2) in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Energy, determine which critical minerals derived from seabed mineral resources are essential for applications such as defense infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy. (e) Engagement with key partners and allies (1) In general Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Interior, and Secretary of Energy, shall engage with key partners and allies to offer support for seabed mineral resource exploration, extraction, processing, and environmental monitoring in areas within the jurisdictions of such key partners and allies, including by— (A) seeking scientific collaboration and commercial development opportunities for United States companies; and (B) developing a prioritized list of foreign countries for engagement. (2) Key partner or ally determination (A) In general The Secretary of State shall determine whether an entity is a key partner or ally for the purposes of this Act, based on factors such as— (i) existing agreements with the United States; (ii) alignment with strategic interests of the United States; and (iii) participation in joint initiatives. (B) Notification The Secretary of State shall notify the Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of the Interior, and Secretary of Energy of any determination made under subparagraph (A). (f) Reports Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act— (1) the Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Energy, and in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Energy and Natural Resources and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that identifies private sector interest in and opportunities for seabed mineral resource exploration and mining on the outer Continental Shelf, in areas beyond national jurisdiction, and in areas within the jurisdiction of a foreign country that expresses interest in partnering with United States companies with respect to seabed mineral resource development; and (2) the Secretary of the Interior, jointly with the Secretary of State, Secretary of Commerce, and Secretary of Energy, shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Energy and Natural Resources and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report regarding the feasibility of an international benefit-sharing mechanism for seabed mineral resource extraction and development that occurs in an area beyond the jurisdiction of any country.