Bill Sponsor
House Bill 897
118th Congress(2023-2024)
Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act
Active
Active
Passed House on Jul 8, 2024
Overview
Text
Sponsor
Introduced
Feb 9, 2023
Latest Action
Jul 9, 2024
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
897
Congress
118
Policy Area
Environmental Protection
Environmental Protection
Primary focus of measure is regulation of pollution including from hazardous substances and radioactive releases; climate change and greenhouse gases; environmental assessment and research; solid waste and recycling; ecology. Measures concerning energy exploration, efficiency, and conservation may fall under Energy policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Alabama
Republican
Louisiana
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
North Carolina
Republican
Virginia
House Votes (1)
Senate Votes (0)
checkPassed on July 8, 2024
Question
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Status
Passed
Type
Roll Call Vote
Roll Call Vote
A vote that records the individual position of each Member who voted. Such votes occurring on the House floor (by the "yeas and nays" or by "recorded vote") are taken by electronic device. The Senate has no electronic voting system; in such votes, Senators answer "yea" or "nay" as the clerk calls each name aloud. Each vote is compiled by clerks and receives a roll call number (referenced in Congress.gov as a "Record Vote" [Senate] or "Roll no." [House]).
Roll Call Type
2/3 Yea-And-Nay
Roll Number
336
House Roll Call Votes
Summary

Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act

This bill designates an ancient cypress forest in the Gulf of Mexico as the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972.

In the sanctuary, the following activities are prohibited:

  • cutting, removing, or any kind of subsurface salvage of the cypress trees;
  • lowering certain devices (e.g., dredging) below the surface of the water;
  • detonating explosives below the surface of the water;
  • drilling or coring the seabed; and
  • lowering, laying, positioning, or raising any type of seabed cable or cable-laying device.

However, the prohibitions do not apply to

  • fishing, diving, mooring, or similar recreational or commercial activities;
  • necessary operations of public vessels;
  • construction or placement of artificial reef structures for the purpose of enhancing fishery resources, fishing opportunities, or recreational diving opportunities;
  • exploration, development, or production of oil or gas projects authorized before this bill's enactment; and
  • certain other activities authorized by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must develop a comprehensive management plan for the sanctuary. NOAA must also establish an advisory council for the sanctuary.

Text (4)
July 9, 2024
July 8, 2024
June 27, 2024
February 9, 2023
Actions (18)
07/09/2024
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
07/08/2024
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
07/08/2024
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 349 - 19 (Roll no. 336). (text: CR H4463)
07/08/2024
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 349 - 19 (Roll no. 336). (text: CR H4463)
07/08/2024
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4470-4471)
07/08/2024
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
07/08/2024
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 897.
07/08/2024
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4463-4464)
07/08/2024
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
06/27/2024
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 462.
06/27/2024
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-560.
05/07/2024
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
05/07/2024
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
05/07/2024
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Discharged
01/18/2024
Subcommittee Hearings Held
02/21/2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.
02/09/2023
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
02/09/2023
Introduced in House
Graphics
H.R.897 118 Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act
Public Record
Record Updated
Sep 24, 2024 4:09:26 PM