US Federal House Bill HB513

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/16/25
• Refer: 5/13/25

Caption

Offshore Lands Authorities Act of 2025

Impact

Should HB 513 be enacted, it will notably influence the energy landscape by potentially increasing offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling, which supporters argue will bolster energy independence and create jobs. The legislative measure establishes limitations on the President’s authority to unilaterally withdraw land, stipulating that a withdrawal cannot exceed 150,000 acres and cannot be made for a duration exceeding 20 years without Congressional approval. Additionally, it requires thorough assessments of the economic and environmental impacts before any new withdrawals can be enacted.

Summary

House Bill 513, titled the ‘Offshore Lands Authorities Act of 2025,’ aims to nullify previous Presidential withdrawals of unleased offshore lands and amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. The bill essentially restores access to certain offshore areas previously designated as off-limits for oil and gas leasing. It specifically targets withdrawals made under several Presidential memoranda from 2014 to 2025 that excluded significant portions of the Arctic and Atlantic coasts along with other critical regions from mineral leasing, thereby allowing drilling activities in these regions to resume.

Contention

The proposed bill is likely to attract significant debate and opposition, particularly from environmental groups and those concerned about climate change, as it may contradict efforts to protect natural habitats and mitigate the impacts of fossil fuel extraction. Critics argue that rolling back these protections could jeopardize marine ecosystems and exacerbate climate change. There is also concern that concentrating authority within the legislative framework could weaken the federal government’s capability to respond flexibly to future environmental crises or concerns over energy policy.

Congress_id

119-HR-513

Policy_area

Energy

Introduced_date

2025-01-16