PROTECT Florida Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6068

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-11-17: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2025-12-01T17:12:26Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 6068: PROTECT Florida Act

Purpose

This bill aims to protect Florida's coastal areas by imposing a temporary ban (moratorium) on new oil and gas leasing, exploration, and related activities on the outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off Florida's coast until 2032. The OCS refers to the submerged lands and waters beyond state boundaries but within U.S. jurisdiction, typically managed by the federal government for resource extraction.

Key Provisions

• Extension of Gulf Coast Moratorium: Updates the existing ban in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida's west coast to run through June 30, 2032, and explicitly prohibits issuing permits for oil and gas exploration activities.
• New Atlantic Coast Moratorium: Creates a ban on oil and gas leasing, preleasing (preliminary steps toward leasing), related activities (such as seismic testing to map potential oil reserves), and exploration permits in:
• The Straits of Florida Planning Area (waters east of Florida's southern tip).
• The South Atlantic Planning Area south of Florida's northernmost seaward boundary (off the east coast).
• The moratorium takes effect upon enactment and ends on June 30, 2032.
• The bill is named the "Preserving Recreation, Oceans, Tourism, Environment, and Coastal Towns in Florida Act" to highlight its focus on environmental and economic safeguards.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amendments to the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006: Extends the moratorium's end date from 2022 to 2032 and adds a specific prohibition on exploration permits, closing a potential loophole for drilling activities without full leasing.
• Amendments to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA): Adds a new subsection establishing the Atlantic Coast moratorium, which did not previously exist. OCSLA is the main federal law governing offshore oil and gas development, and this change expands protections to eastern Florida waters.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior (via the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management) would be restricted from conducting or approving oil and gas activities in the specified areas, potentially reducing administrative workload related to leasing but limiting federal revenue from royalties (estimated at billions nationally from OCS activities).
• On Citizens: Florida residents and visitors could benefit from reduced risks of oil spills or environmental damage, preserving beaches, marine life, and water quality. This supports tourism-dependent economies, recreation (e.g., fishing, boating), and coastal communities.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the Straits of Florida moratorium could indirectly affect shipping routes or U.S. coordination with neighboring countries like Cuba or the Bahamas on maritime safety, without altering territorial claims.

Main Stakeholders

• Environmental and Conservation Groups: Likely supportive, as the bill prioritizes ocean health and wildlife protection.
• Tourism, Fishing, and Coastal Businesses: Benefit from cleaner coasts and sustained visitor appeal in Florida's economy, which relies heavily on these sectors.
• Florida Residents and Local Governments: Protected from potential economic disruptions from oil incidents, with bipartisan sponsorship from Florida's congressional delegation.
• Oil and Gas Industry: Adversely affected, as companies lose access to potential reserves, delaying exploration and development opportunities.
• Federal Energy Agencies: Face constraints on energy policy implementation in the region.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens federal oversight of OCS resources under OCSLA by extending and expanding moratoriums, potentially facing challenges from industry groups on property rights or economic impacts, though it aligns with Congress's authority to regulate public lands and waters.
• Constitutional: No major issues, as it involves federal management of offshore areas outside state jurisdiction, respecting the balance between state coastal interests and national energy policy.
• Political: Demonstrates bipartisan Florida consensus (sponsored by 15 representatives from both parties) on state-specific environmental priorities, possibly influencing similar protections for other coastal states. It could spark debates on balancing energy independence with climate goals, especially amid national pushes for renewable energy transitions.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5]

Cosponsors (16)

Rep. Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1], Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26], Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15], Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23]

Recent Actions

• 2025-11-17: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2025-11-17: Introduced in House
• 2025-11-17: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Preserving Recreation, Oceans, Tourism, Environment, and Coastal Towns in Florida Act — issued 2025-11-17 — PDF (3 pages)