Florida Coastal Protection Act

Bill Number: H.R. 2673
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Energy
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-04-07: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Last Updated: 2026-06-30T08:06:14Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Florida Coastal Protection Act (H.R. 2673) aims to protect Florida's coastal areas by prohibiting new oil and natural gas activities in specified regions of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), which refers to the submerged lands and waters beyond state jurisdiction but under federal control, extending from the outer edge of a state's territorial waters to about 200 nautical miles offshore.

Key Provisions

Prohibition on New Activities: The bill amends Section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), a federal law governing offshore energy leasing, by adding a new subsection (j). This prohibits the Secretary of the Interior (the federal official overseeing OCS management) from issuing any leases or authorizations for oil or natural gas exploration, development, or production in three specific areas:
Areas in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico referenced in Section 104(a) of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (a prior law that outlined protected zones).
The portion of the South Atlantic Planning Area (a designated offshore region for potential leasing, as shown in the 2024-2029 National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program from September 2023) located south of 30 degrees 43 minutes North Latitude.
The entire Straits of Florida Planning Area (another designated offshore region from the same 2023 program).
Protection for Existing Rights: The prohibition does not impact any leases or rights granted before the bill's enactment date, ensuring ongoing operations under prior agreements continue unaffected.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This introduces a permanent ban on new oil and gas activities in these Florida-adjacent OCS areas, overriding previous leasing plans or permissions under the OCSLA.
It builds on but expands protections from the 2006 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act by incorporating additional Atlantic and Straits regions, shifting from potential allowances in the 2024-2029 leasing program to a strict no-new-activity policy.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior will face restrictions on future OCS leasing programs, potentially simplifying planning by removing these areas from consideration and reducing administrative burdens related to environmental reviews or lease sales in protected zones.
Citizens and Coastal Communities: Florida residents, particularly in coastal areas, may benefit from reduced risks of oil spills, habitat disruption, or pollution, supporting tourism, fishing, and recreation industries that rely on clean waters. However, it could limit potential energy-related jobs or revenue from new development.
International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the Straits of Florida area involves international waters near the Bahamas and Cuba; the ban focuses solely on U.S. OCS activities and does not alter shipping lanes or broader maritime agreements.
Broader Economy and Environment: Prevents expansion of fossil fuel extraction, potentially aiding long-term climate goals and marine ecosystems, but may increase reliance on imported energy, affecting national energy prices.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Environmental and Conservation Groups: Likely supportive, as the bill enhances protections for sensitive marine habitats and reduces drilling risks.
Florida Residents and Local Governments: Primary beneficiaries, including coastal counties and cities dependent on beaches, fisheries, and tourism; bipartisan sponsors (from both parties in Florida) highlight state-wide interest.
Oil and Gas Industry: Adversely affected, as companies like those in exploration and production lose access to potential reserves, possibly shifting operations to other U.S. regions or abroad.
Federal Agencies: The Department of the Interior and related bodies (e.g., Bureau of Ocean Energy Management) must adjust leasing strategies and maps.
Energy Consumers: Indirectly impacted through potential effects on domestic supply and fuel costs.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Reinforces Congress's authority under the OCSLA to designate protected areas, providing a clear statutory ban that could withstand challenges by prioritizing environmental safeguards over energy development; it avoids retroactive effects to respect property rights in existing leases.
Constitutional: Aligns with federal plenary power over the OCS (as affirmed in cases like United States v. California, 1947), where Congress can regulate offshore resources without infringing on state sovereignty, though it may invite litigation from industry groups claiming economic overreach.
Political: Introduced with bipartisan support from Florida representatives, signaling regional consensus on coastal protection amid national debates on energy vs. environment; if enacted, it could set a precedent for state-specific OCS bans, influencing future leasing in other coastal states like California or the Northeast.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]

Cosponsors (14)

Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28]

Recent Actions

2025-04-07: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
2025-04-07: Introduced in House
2025-04-07: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Florida Coastal Protection Act — issued 2025-04-07 — PDF (3 pages)