BillCam

Atlantic Ocean

Number	Legislature	Summary	Subjects
S.2960	Federal	DESCEND Act of 2019 Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2019 This bill addresses the use of descending devices to release reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. (A descending device is an instrument that will release fish at a depth sufficient for the fish to be able to recover from the effects of barotrauma.) Specifically, the bill requires commercial and recreational fishermen to possess a venting tool or descending device that is rigged and ready for use when fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone, the Department of Commerce to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study and produce a report on discard mortality in the Gulf reef fish fisheries, and Commerce and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to develop guidance for reporting discards and associated mortality and develop a plan to assess the effectiveness and usage of barotrauma-reducing devices. Republican: 66% (2) Democrat: 33% (1) 66% Republican support 33% Democrat support	Science, Technology, Communications Atlantic Ocean Congressional Oversight Fishes Government Studies And Investigations Gulf Of Mexico Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Marine And Inland Water Transportation Wildlife Conservation And Habitat Protection
HB-5126	Federal	DESCEND Act of 2019 Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2019 This bill addresses the use of descending devices to release reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. (A descending device is an instrument that will release fish at a depth sufficient for the fish to be able to recover from the effects of barotrauma.) Specifically, the bill requires commercial and recreational fishermen to possess a venting tool or descending device that is rigged and ready for use when fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone, the Department of Commerce to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study and produce a report on discard mortality in the Gulf reef fish fisheries, and Commerce and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to develop guidance for reporting discards and associated mortality and develop a plan to assess the effectiveness and usage of barotrauma-reducing devices. Republican: 50% (3) Democrat: 50% (3) 50% Republican support 50% Democrat support	Public Lands And Natural Resources Science, Technology, Communications Atlantic Ocean Congressional Oversight Fishes Government Studies And Investigations Gulf Of Mexico Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Marine And Inland Water Transportation Wildlife Conservation And Habitat Protection
S.2453	Federal	SAVE Right Whales Act Scientific Assistance for Very Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales Act of 2019 This bill provides support for the conservation of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis). Specifically, it requires the Department of Commerce to provide financial assistance for the conservation of such whales. In addition, Commerce must conduct surveys of plankton on an ongoing basis using a continuous plankton recorder. Democrat: 66% (4) Republican: 33% (2) 66% Democrat support 33% Republican support	Animals Advanced Technology And Technological Innovations Animal Protection And Human-animal Relationships Atlantic Ocean Canada Congressional Oversight Endangered And Threatened Species International Organizations And Cooperation Mammals Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries
HB-3697	Federal	Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act Republican: 33% (1) Democrat: 66% (2) 33% Republican support 66% Democrat support	Public Lands And Natural Resources Administrative Law And Regulatory Procedures Alaska Arctic And Polar Regions Atlantic Ocean Business Records Congressional Oversight Department Of Commerce Disaster Relief And Insurance Economic Performance And Conditions
HB-3585	Federal	BEACHES in Florida Act Bolstering Economies, Anglers, Coastal Habitats, Ecosystems and Security in Florida Act This bill prohibits oil and gas exploration and leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Florida. Specifically, the bill establishes a moratorium through June 30, 2029, on oil and gas exploration and leasing in the (1) Straits of Florida Planning Area, and (2) South Atlantic Planning Area that is south of the northernmost lateral seaward administrative boundary of Florida. The bill also extends to June 30, 2029, the moratorium on oil and gas exploration and leasing in certain areas of the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. Democrat: 50% (10) Republican: 50% (10) 50% Democrat support 50% Republican support	Energy Atlantic Ocean Florida Gulf Of Mexico Licensing And Registrations Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Oil And Gas
S.1296	Federal	New England Coastal Protection Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from issuing a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas off the coast of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Connecticut. Democrat: 80% (8) Republican: 10% (1) Independent: 10% (1) 80% Democrat support 10% Republican support 10% Independent support	Public Lands And Natural Resources Atlantic Ocean Connecticut Maine Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Massachusetts New Hampshire Oil And Gas Rhode Island
S.1304	Federal	COAST Anti-Drilling Act Clean Ocean And Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from issuing a lease or other authorization for the exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas, or any other mineral in the Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Atlantic, or the Straits of Florida planning areas. Democrat: 94% (17) Independent: 5% (1) 94% Democrat support 5% Independent support	Energy Atlantic Ocean Florida Gulf Of Mexico Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Oil And Gas
HB-2236	Federal	Forage Fish Conservation Act This bill addresses the management and conservation of forage fish. (A forage fish is any fish at a low trophic level that contributes significantly to the diets of other fish, marine mammals, or birds and serves as a conduit for energy transfer to species at a higher trophic level.) The Department of Commerce must establish guidelines to assist regional fishery management councils in (1) developing a list of unmanaged forage fish areas and prohibiting the development of any new forage fish fisheries until the potential impacts of such fisheries have been assessed; and (2) setting annual catch limits for forage fish fisheries that assess, specify, and reduce such limits by the diet needs of other fish species and marine wildlife. The bill adds shad (American shad and hickory shad) and river herring (blueback herring and alewife) to the list of managed stocks for the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Democrat: 50% (10) Republican: 50% (10) 50% Democrat support 50% Republican support	Animals Advisory Bodies Atlantic Ocean Ecology Fishes Hunting And Fishing Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Wildlife Conservation And Habitat Protection
HB-1941	Federal	Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from offering any tract for oil and gas leasing or preleasing in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf planning area (North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and the Straits of Florida) or the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf planning area (Washington/Oregon, Northern California, Central California, and Southern California). Democrat: 98% (51) Republican: 1% (1) 98% Democrat support 1% Republican support	Energy Atlantic Ocean Land Use And Conservation Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Oil And Gas Pacific Ocean
S.908	Federal	Fluke Fairness Act of 2019 Democrat: 100% (2) 100% Democrat support	Public Lands And Natural Resources Atlantic Ocean Congressional Oversight Fishes Government Studies And Investigations Hunting And Fishing Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries
S.828	Federal	Atlantic Seismic Airgun Protection Act This bill prohibits conducting geological or geophysical activities in support of oil, gas, or methane hydrate exploration and development on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. Geological and geophysical activities for oil and gas exploration generally include deep penetration seismic airgun surveys, electromagnetic surveys, deep stratigraphic and shallow test drilling, and various remote-sensing methods. The geological and geophysical activities are described in a final programmatic environmental impact statement by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management titled "Atlantic OCS Proposed Geological and Geophysical Activities, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Planning Areas." Democrat: 91% (11) Independent: 8% (1) 91% Democrat support 8% Independent support	Energy Atlantic Ocean Earth Sciences Environmental Assessment, Monitoring, Research Florida Mammals Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Oil And Gas Wildlife Conservation And Habitat Protection
HB-1606	Federal	Atlantic Seismic Airgun Protection Act This bill prohibits conducting geological or geophysical activities in support of oil, gas, or methane hydrate exploration and development on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. Geological and geophysical activities for oil and gas exploration generally include deep penetration seismic airgun surveys, electromagnetic surveys, deep stratigraphic and shallow test drilling, and various remote-sensing methods. The geological and geophysical activities are described in a final programmatic environmental impact statement by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management titled "Atlantic OCS Proposed Geological and Geophysical Activities, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Planning Areas." Democrat: 92% (13) Republican: 7% (1) 92% Democrat support 7% Republican support	Energy Atlantic Ocean Earth Sciences Environmental Assessment, Monitoring, Research Florida Mammals Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Oil And Gas Wildlife Conservation And Habitat Protection
HB-1568	Federal	SAVE Right Whales Act Scientific Assistance for Very Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales Act of 2019 This bill provides support for the conservation of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis). Specifically, it requires the Department of Commerce to provide financial assistance for the conservation of such whales. In addition, Commerce must conduct surveys of plankton on an ongoing basis using a continuous plankton recorder. Democrat: 87% (47) Republican: 11% (6) Independent: 1% (1) 87% Democrat support 11% Republican support 1% Independent support	Animals Advanced Technology And Technological Innovations Animal Protection And Human-animal Relationships Atlantic Ocean Canada Congressional Oversight Endangered And Threatened Species International Organizations And Cooperation Mammals Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries
HB-1149	Federal	Atlantic Coastal Economies Protection Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from issuing certain permits to engage in geological and geophysical exploration for mineral resources on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. Democrat: 80% (36) Republican: 20% (9) 80% Democrat support 20% Republican support	Energy Atlantic Ocean Earth Sciences Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Oil And Gas
S.367	Federal	ANTIQUITIES Act America's Natural Treasures of Immeasurable Quality Unite, Inspire, and Together Improve the Economies of States Act This bill provides for the administration of certain National Monuments and the designation of certain lands in New Mexico and Nevada as wilderness. This bill directs the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to administer each specified national monument in accordance with (1) the one or more presidential proclamations that apply to the monument, (2) any Act of Congress enacted before December 4, 2017, that provides for an adjustment to the boundary or administration of such monument, and (3) this bill. The bill establishes the National Monument Enhancement Fund to furnish funding (1) to such federal agencies to develop management plans for their national monuments that were designated under current federal law, (2) for federal acquisition and development of certain land and other areas, and (3) to develop and enhance recreational infrastructure on such designated lands. The bill designates specified BLM lands within the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks and Rio Grande del Norte National Monuments in New Mexico and in the Gold Butte National Conservation Area in Nevada as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Department of the Interior shall manage approximately 100 acres of BLM land in New Mexico identified as Lookout Peak Communication Site in a manner that preserves the character of the land for future inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Democrat: 100% (26) 100% Democrat support	Public Lands And Natural Resources Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Atlantic Ocean California Colorado District Of Columbia Forests, Forestry, Trees
HB-1050	Federal	ANTIQUITIES Act America's Natural Treasures of Immeasurable Quality Unite, Inspire, and Together Improve the Economies of States Act This bill provides for the administration of certain National Monuments and the designation of certain lands in New Mexico and Nevada as wilderness. This bill directs the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to administer each specified national monument in accordance with (1) the one or more presidential proclamations that apply to the monument, (2) any Act of Congress enacted before December 4, 2017, that provides for an adjustment to the boundary or administration of such monument, and (3) this bill. The bill establishes the National Monument Enhancement Fund to furnish funding (1) to such federal agencies to develop management plans for their national monuments that were designated under current federal law, (2) for federal acquisition and development of certain land and other areas, and (3) to develop and enhance recreational infrastructure on such designated lands. The bill designates specified BLM lands within the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks and Rio Grande del Norte National Monuments in New Mexico and in the Gold Butte National Conservation Area in Nevada as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Department of the Interior shall manage approximately 100 acres of BLM land in New Mexico identified as Lookout Peak Communication Site in a manner that preserves the character of the land for future inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Democrat: 99% (112) Independent: 0% (1) 99% Democrat support 0% Independent support	Public Lands And Natural Resources Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Atlantic Ocean California Colorado District Of Columbia Forests, Forestry, Trees
HB-341	Federal	COAST Anti-Drilling Act Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from issuing a lease or other authorization for the exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas, or any other mineral in the Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Atlantic, Straits of Florida, or Eastern Gulf of Mexico planning areas. Democrat: 96% (62) Republican: 3% (2) 96% Democrat support 3% Republican support	Energy Atlantic Ocean Florida Gulf Of Mexico Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Oil And Gas
HB-337	Federal	Defend our Coast Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from issuing a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or gas in the Mid-Atlantic planning area of the Outer Continental Shelf. Democrat: 88% (8) Republican: 11% (1) 88% Democrat support 11% Republican support	Energy Atlantic Ocean Delaware Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Maryland North Carolina Oil And Gas Virginia
HB-291	Federal	Coastal Economies Protection Act This bill prohibits the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management from offering any tract for oil and gas leasing or preleasing until June 30, 2029, in the following areas: the North Atlantic planning area, the Mid-Atlantic planning area, the South Atlantic planning area, the Straits of Florida planning area, or the Eastern Gulf of Mexico planning area that is within 125 miles of the coastline of Florida. Democrat: 80% (8) Republican: 20% (2) 80% Democrat support 20% Republican support	Energy Atlantic Ocean Florida Gulf Of Mexico Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Oil And Gas
HB-287	Federal	New England Coastal Protection Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from issuing a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas off the coast of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Connecticut. Democrat: 100% (21) 100% Democrat support	Public Lands And Natural Resources Atlantic Ocean Connecticut Maine Marine And Coastal Resources, Fisheries Massachusetts New Hampshire Oil And Gas Rhode Island

Title: DESCEND Act of 2019 Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2019