{"format":1,"id":"118-hr-897","congress":118,"number":"H.R. 897","kind":"bill","group":"bills","title":"Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act","title_source":"Short Title(s) as Passed House","official_title":"To provide for the establishment of the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary, and for other purposes.","titles":[{"type":"Official Title as Introduced","title":"To provide for the establishment of the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary, and for other purposes."},{"type":"Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text","title":"Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act"},{"type":"Short Title(s) as Passed House","title":"Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act"},{"type":"Short Title(s) as Reported to House","title":"Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act"},{"type":"Display Title","title":"Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act"},{"type":"Short Title(s) as Introduced","title":"Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act"}],"outcome":"passed_house","law_number":null,"introduced":"2023-02-09","chambers":{"house":{"status":"roll_call","date":"2024-07-08","vote":{"id":"118-2024-h336","question":"On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended","title":"Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act","result":"Passed","yea":349,"nay":19,"present":0,"not_voting":64,"source":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2024/roll336.xml"}},"senate":{"status":"na","date":null,"vote":null}},"president":{"status":"na","date":null},"vice_president_tie_breaker":null,"latest_action":{"text":"Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.","date":"2024-07-09"},"nominees":null,"amendments":[],"other_votes":[],"crs_summary":{"date":"2024-06-27","stage":"Reported to House","blocks":[{"k":"h","t":"Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act"},{"k":"p","t":"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."},{"k":"p","t":"In the sanctuary, the following activities are prohibited:"},{"k":"li","t":"cutting, removing, or any kind of subsurface salvage of the cypress trees;","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"lowering certain devices (e.g., dredging) below the surface of the water;","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"detonating explosives below the surface of the water;","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"drilling or coring the seabed; and","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"lowering, laying, positioning, or raising any type of seabed cable or cable-laying device.","d":1},{"k":"p","t":"However, the prohibitions do not apply to"},{"k":"li","t":"fishing, diving, mooring, or similar recreational or commercial activities;","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"necessary operations of public vessels;","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"construction or placement of artificial reef structures for the purpose of enhancing fishery resources, fishing opportunities, or recreational diving opportunities;","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"exploration, development, or production of oil or gas projects authorized before this bill's enactment; and","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"certain other activities authorized by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.","d":1},{"k":"p","t":"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."}],"words":190},"summary":{"main_subject":{"text":"Designates an area of waters and submerged lands off the Alabama coast containing an ancient cypress forest as the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary, and sets rules and management requirements for it.","cites":[{"label":"Sec. 5","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897/text/eh#H3225C2D608AC4C98A62F708BAAF5E932"},{"label":"Sec. 6","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897/text/eh#H3BE33BF79DDE4EF1A5D29A29359F90E7"},{"label":"Sec. 7","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897/text/eh#HCF7B44A497DF4EB4B1A973CF86F4F575"},{"label":"Sec. 8","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897/text/eh#HA64186BCA9B449528C5B8FBE661B58EE"}]},"core_areas":["Designation of the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary","Prohibited and excepted activities within the sanctuary","Sanctuary management plan and advisory council"],"what_it_does":[{"text":"Designates the waters and submerged lands within stated coordinates as the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary under title III of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 5","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897/text/eh#H3225C2D608AC4C98A62F708BAAF5E932"}},{"text":"Prohibits cutting, removing, or subsurface salvage of the cypress trees, and prohibits lowering dredging or similar devices, detonating explosives, drilling or coring the seabed, and laying or raising seabed cable within the Sanctuary.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 6","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897/text/eh#H3BE33BF79DDE4EF1A5D29A29359F90E7"}},{"text":"Exempts fishing, diving, mooring, similar recreational or commercial activities, necessary public vessel operations, artificial reef construction, and oil or gas activity authorized on or before the date of enactment from those prohibitions.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 6","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897/text/eh#H3BE33BF79DDE4EF1A5D29A29359F90E7"}},{"text":"Requires the Secretary of Commerce to develop a comprehensive management plan and implementing regulations within 2 years of enactment, following procedures in sections 303 and 304 of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 7","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897/text/eh#HCF7B44A497DF4EB4B1A973CF86F4F575"}},{"text":"Requires the Secretary to provide for public participation in developing the management plan.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 7","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897/text/eh#HCF7B44A497DF4EB4B1A973CF86F4F575"}},{"text":"Requires the Secretary to establish an advisory council for the Sanctuary, including a voting member from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 8","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897/text/eh#HA64186BCA9B449528C5B8FBE661B58EE"}}],"unexpected":[{"category":"selective_carve_out","items":[{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 6","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897/text/eh#H3BE33BF79DDE4EF1A5D29A29359F90E7"},"heading":"Prohibition of certain uses","effect":"Lists activities prohibited within the Sanctuary, and exempts from those prohibitions certain activities, including oil or gas exploration, development, or production under a lease, permit, or authorization issued on or before the date of enactment.","amount":null,"quote":"Exploration, development, or production of oil or gas pursuant to a lease, permit, or other authorization, provided such lease, permit, or authorization is issued on or before the date of the enactment of this Act."}]}],"version":{"type":"Engrossed in House","date":"2024-07-08","rule":"passed","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897/text/eh"},"current":true,"model":"claude-sonnet-5-5","approved":"2026-10-01","approved_by":"checks"},"sources":{"congress_gov":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897","text":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/897/text"},"card":{"image":"card/item/118-hr-897.png","v":"967e3102a8d3","alt":"Votes on Record. H.R. 897, 118th Congress: Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act. House: 349 Yea, 19 Nay. Outcome: Passed House, 8 Jul 2024."}}