Offshore Parity Act of 2026

This bill would let Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama ask the Secretary of the Interior, within 5 years, to hand over management of offshore oil, gas, and other energy leases in waters between 3 geographical miles and 3 marine leagues (about 9 nautical miles) from their coasts. If the Secretary finds a state meets certain conditions, the state could grant new leases, set and collect rents and royalties on them, and would take over surety bonds for existing leases. Federal minimum bid and royalty rules and federal revenue-sharing rules would not apply to new state-granted leases, and states would have to repay the United States for certain legal claims from existing leaseholders. The bill would also extend these three states' fishery management authority out to 3 marine leagues, while keeping federal authority over migratory, endangered, and internationally managed species.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Mike Ezell Republican sponsor
• 3 cosponsors