APPROVED BY COMMITTEE: Ezell’s Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act Passes House Natural Resources Committee

Today, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) announced that his Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act (H.R. 5745) passed the House Committee on Natural Resources, advancing the bipartisan legislation toward consideration by the full House. The Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act builds upon the existing Rigs to Reefs initiative by establishing a clearer process for converting certain decommissioned offshore oil and gas infrastructure into artificial reefs. The legislation creates procedures and timelines for the reefing process while maintaining safeguards for navigation, human safety, and the marine environment. "Along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, we know the tremendous value healthy fisheries provide to our economy, our communities, and our way of life,” Ezell said. “When offshore infrastructure reaches the end of its useful life, we should have a clear and responsible pathway to preserve the marine habitat that has developed around these structures when it makes sense to do so. This bill strengthens that process while maintaining important safeguards for safety, navigation, and our marine environment. I’m proud to see it advance out of committee and look forward to working with my colleagues to move it through the House.” “Retired offshore energy infrastructure can continue delivering value long after production ends," Chairman Westerman said. " H.R. 5745 formalizes the successful Rigs to Reefs initiative and creates clearer procedures for converting qualifying structures into artificial reefs. These structures provide valuable fish habitat, support marine ecosystems and create new opportunities for anglers and coastal communities. I commend Rep. Ezell for advancing a commonsense solution that strengthens an already successful program, supports American fisheries and puts existing inactive offshore infrastructure to productive use.” “I’m proud to see this bipartisan legislation advance to improve our Gulf ecosystem,” Carter said. “By streamlining the processes that allow retired offshore platforms to be transformed into artificial reefs, the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act preserves critical habitat for Gulf marine life, supports our recreational and commercial fishing, and shows that energy policy and environmental stewardship don’t have to be at odds.” Offshore oil and gas structures can develop into established reef ecosystems that provide habitat for fish and other marine life. The existing Rigs to Reefs initiative allows certain decommissioned energy infrastructure to be converted into artificial reefs rather than completely removed. Ezell’s legislation would formalize and build upon that process in federal law, establish clearer timelines and procedures, recognize the role of state artificial reef programs, and provide greater accountability throughout the process. The bill preserves existing decommissioning options while creating an additional pathway for qualifying structures to be reefed in place. It also directs the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement to provide information on idle structures supporting established reef ecosystems and report on reefing applications and outcomes. ###