H.R. 6068House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

PROTECT Florida Act

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Updated November 29, 2025 at 5:51 AM UTC

The PROTECT Florida Act creates a ten‑year freeze on new oil and gas leasing, pre‑leasing, seismic testing, and exploration on the outer continental shelf off Florida’s coast. The moratorium applies to both the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic areas near Florida and runs until June 30, 2032. It affects the federal agencies that manage offshore leasing and any companies seeking to develop offshore oil and gas resources near Florida.

Key Provisions

Amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act to extend the existing Gulf Coast moratorium from 2022 to 2032 and bars the issuance of oil and gas exploration permits in that region.
Adds a new section to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act that prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from offering or issuing any oil and gas leases, pre‑leases, seismic testing, or exploration permits in the Straits of Florida Planning Area and in the South Atlantic Planning Area south of Florida’s northernmost offshore boundary, effective until June 30, 2032.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

November 17, 2025

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

November 17, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

November 17, 2025

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued November 17, 2025

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 6068

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 17, 2025

Mr. Rutherford (for himself, Mr. Patronis, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Gimenez, Mr. Webster of Florida, Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Donalds, Ms. Salazar, Mrs. Luna, Mr. Haridopolos, Mr. Scott Franklin of Florida, Mr. Soto, and Ms. Lee of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To provide for a moratorium on oil and gas leasing and exploration on the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Florida until 2032, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Preserving Recreation, Oceans, Tourism, Environment, and Coastal Towns in Florida Act or the PROTECT Florida Act.

Moratorium on oil and gas leasing and exploration on the outer Continental Shelf off coast of Florida

(a)

Extension of Gulf coast moratorium

Section 104(a) of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note) is amended—

(1)

by striking 2022 and inserting 2032; and

(2)

by inserting , and may not issue a permit for oil and gas exploration (as such term is defined in section 2 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act) in after related activity.

(b)

Establishment of Atlantic coast moratorium

Section 12 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1431) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(g)

Moratorium on oil and gas leasing and seismic testing off the coast of Florida

(1)

In general

The Secretary may not offer for oil and gas leasing, preleasing, or any related activity, including seismic testing, and may not issue a permit for oil and gas exploration in—

(A)

any area in the Straits of Florida Planning Area; and

(B)

any area in the South Atlantic Planning Area that is south of the northernmost lateral seaward administrative boundary of the State of Florida.

(2)

Application

This subsection shall apply during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on June 30, 2032.