Mike Ezell (R-MS)
Offshore Parity Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Subcommittee Hearings Held
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Offshore Parity Act of 2026 seeks to amend existing federal laws regarding submerged lands and fisheries. It aims to delegate management authority for expanded submerged lands to the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. This expansion moves the state boundary from 3 geographical miles to 3 marine leagues. Under this plan, the states would oversee oil, gas, and other energy activities within these expanded areas. Additionally, the bill would allow these states to oversee fisheries management within those same boundaries.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +8
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill delegates management authority for submerged lands and fisheries from the federal government to specific states.
- Scored +5
Is this likely to grow the economy?
The bill allows states to collect new revenue from rentals and royalties on expanded submerged lands.
- Scored +4
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The expansion of state-managed energy and fishery resources may provide economic benefits to coastal rural communities.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?
The bill facilitates state management of oil and gas energy activities in expanded coastal areas.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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State Management of Energy Resources: The bill would allow Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to manage leases, easements, and rights-of-use for energy activities on expanded submerged lands (Section 2 and Section 3(b)).
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Increased State Revenue: States receiving delegated authority may collect rentals, royalties, and other sums as determined by the State for new leases (Section 3(c)(4)(A)).
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Improved Fisheries Management: The bill allows the states to oversee fisheries management in the expanded seaward boundaries to improve management (Section 2 and Section 4(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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State Financial Liability: A state receiving delegated authority must indemnify the United States for any liability regarding property interests or breach of contract for existing leases (Section 3(c)(6)(A)).
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Potential Revenue Deductions for States: The Secretary of the Interior may deduct amounts from payments owed to a state to cover final nonappealable judgments resulting from the state's management or breaches of contract (Section 3(c)(6)(B)).
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State Requirements for Resource Provision: To receive authority, a state must show it will provide adequate resources to carry out its responsibilities (Section 3(b)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill delegates management authority for submerged lands and fisheries from the federal government to specific states.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The expansion of state-managed energy and fishery resources may provide economic benefits to coastal rural communities. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides for state-level management of energy leases which may impact business operations and leasing terms.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill allows states to collect new revenue from rentals and royalties on expanded submerged lands. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill includes provisions to ensure that the delegation of authority does not create an unreasonable burden on lessees.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — The bill facilitates state management of oil and gas energy activities in expanded coastal areas.
- 6/3/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 5/29/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 4/28/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Shomari FiguresDemocrat · Alabama
Clay HigginsRepublican · Louisiana