Bill sets process letting firms turn old oil rigs into artificial reefs
In markupH.R. 5745Latest action
Sponsor: Mike Ezell · Representative · MS
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.
The bill creates a formal process letting companies leave retired offshore oil structures in place as artificial reefs instead of fully removing them.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
The bill establishes a step-by-step process for oil and gas companies to convert retired offshore platforms and pipelines into artificial reefs rather than fully removing them. Steps include notifying the government, environmental and economic assessment, official approval, and designating a reef area, with wells sealed and hazardous materials removed beforehand.
Who does it affect?
Offshore oil and gas companies, state governments, commercial and recreational fishers, coastal communities, and federal agencies including the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and NOAA are affected.
Why does it matter?
The change could reduce removal costs for companies while shifting long-term legal responsibility and maintenance to states in exchange for a share of savings, and it limits when federal regulators can order removal during the reefing process, except for navigation or environmental threats.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Based on the “Introduced in House” text of Oct 14, 2025.
After that text, a committee agreed on Sep 15, 2026 to send the bill to the full chamber with changes. This plain-language version may not reflect them.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedOct 14, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Sep 15, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 16.