Bill > HR513

This bill aims to nullify several Presidential withdrawals of unleased offshore lands and significantly restrict the President's future authority to withdraw such lands. Specifically, the bill invalidates seven Presidential memoranda that previously withdrew various offshore areas in the Arctic, Bering Sea, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific from oil and gas leasing. The bill then amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to impose strict limitations on Presidential land withdrawals, including capping the size of any single withdrawal at 150,000 acres, limiting withdrawal periods to 20 years, and preventing any President from withdrawing more than 500,000 acres cumulatively without Congressional approval. Before making any withdrawal, the President must now obtain comprehensive assessments from multiple federal agencies, including evaluations of mineral resources, economic and national security implications, and potential revenue reductions. The bill also establishes a detailed Congressional review process that allows for expedited consideration of joint resolutions to disapprove Presidential withdrawals, giving Congress greater oversight and the ability to block or nullify such actions. Additionally, the bill mandates that any proposed withdrawal cannot conflict with existing oil and gas leasing programs, further constraining the President's discretion in managing offshore lands.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/513/all-info