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118th Congress Environmental Protection

H.R. 897: Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act

Passed HouseJul 8, 2024

  1. Introduced (completed)Feb 9, 2023
  2. Passed House (completed)Jul 8, 2024, 349–19
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Reported to House, Jun 27, 2024

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.
Read the full summary

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.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Key votes

House final vote, Jul 8, 2024

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Passed 349–19

Yea 349two-thirds 246Nay 19

  • Democrats176 yea, 0 nay
  • Republicans172 yea, 19 nay
  • Independents1 yea, 0 nay

Broke with their party: Keith Self (R-TX), Chip Roy (R-TX), Matthew Rosendale (R-MT), Scott Perry (R-PA), Bill Posey (R-FL), Andrew Ogles (R-TN), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Alexander Mooney (R-WV), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) and Marjorie Greene (R-GA) voted Nay; and 9 more

See how all 368 members voted

Showing 432 of 432 members

Yea 349

Republicans (172)

Democrats (176)

Independents (1)

Nay 19

Not voting 64

Senate

Not yet voted

Passed the House Jul 8, 2024. Awaiting Senate action.

Roll calls

1 vote on this bill

Showing 1 of 1 roll calls

  • Jul 8, 2024HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as AmendedFinal passagePassed, yea-nay 349–19
    Roll call 336 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats1760037
    Republicans17219027
    Independents1000
    Total34919064

    House roll call 336: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended. Passed.

    19 crossed party lines: 19 Republicans

    How each member voted (432)

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

6

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

206 points earned
  1. 1Jerry Carl R-AL SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, marked up, reported, passed House5 events+68
  2. 2Andy Biggs R-AZ1 maverick vote1 event+6
  3. 2Dan Bishop R-NC1 maverick vote1 event+6
  4. 2Josh Brecheen R-OK1 maverick vote1 event+6
  5. 2Eric Burlison R-MO1 maverick vote1 event+6
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

History

  1. Jul 8, 2024Passed the House, 349–19.
  2. Feb 9, 2023Introduced in the House by Jerry Carl.
Show the full action history (18 actions)
  1. Jul 9, 2024Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  2. Jul 8, 2024Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  3. Jul 8, 2024Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4463-4464)
  4. Jul 8, 2024DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 897.
  5. Jul 8, 2024At 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.
  6. Jul 8, 2024Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4470-4471)
  7. Jul 8, 2024Passed/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)
  8. Jul 8, 2024On 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)
  9. Jul 8, 2024Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  10. Jun 27, 2024Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-560.
  11. Jun 27, 2024Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 462.
  12. May 7, 2024Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Discharged
  13. May 7, 2024Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  14. May 7, 2024Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
  15. Jan 18, 2024Subcommittee Hearings Held
  16. Feb 21, 2023Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.
  17. Feb 9, 2023Introduced in House
  18. Feb 9, 2023Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.