Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Act

Summary

Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Act - Prohibits the development of hard mineral resources of the deep seabed by persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States except: (1) as authorized pursuant to this Act: (2) as authorized under a license issued by a reciprocating foreign state: or (3) as authorized by international agreement. Authorizes the issuance of licenses by the Secretary of Commerce to develop deep seabed mineral resources, in accordance with prescribed conditions. Stipulates that licenses shall remain in force for ten years or as long as commercial recovery from the block of land mineral resources continues. Authorizes the Secretary to establish procedures for the issuance of licenses. Requires the establishment of objective environmental standards for operations licensed under this Act. Sets forth a table of minimum annual expenditures per licensed block until commercial recovery from such block is initiated. Requires notification by each licensee to the Secretary after completion of exploration activities prior to the granting of an authorization to the licensee to begin commercial recovery. Requires that such request be made no earlier than six months, and no later that three months, prior to the projected commencement of such activity. Withdraws the following areas from licensing: (1) areas relinquished by the applicant under a license issued under this Act within the prior three years; (2) areas subject to a prior application or outstanding license; and (3) areas which would increase the licensees' holding to more than 30 percent of the deep seabed in a 250-kilometer circular area. Requires that licensees relinquish 75 percent of any block within ten years of the license date. Requires compliance with subsequent international agreements which may supersede the requirements of this Act. Stipulates that licensees suffering a measurable economic loss as a result of any international agreement shall be entitled to compensation from the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to establish reasonable licensing fees, not to exceed $100,000. Stipulates that United States district courts shall have original jurisdiction of cases arising under this Act, without regard to diversity of citizenship or amounts involved. Imposes a civil penalty of $10,000 per day for violations of this Act. Imposes a criminal penalty of $25,000 per day for willful and knowing violation of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the administration of this Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 9 February 1977

   Introduced

   Referred to House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 9 February 1977

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 9 February 1977

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 9 August 1977

   Reported

   Reported to House from the Ad Hoc Committee on Outer Continental Shelf with amendment, H. Rept. 95-588 (Part I).

   Source: Committee

5. 9 August 1977

   Reported

   Reported to House from the Ad Hoc Committee on Outer Continental Shelf with amendment, H. Rept. 95-588 (Part I).

   Source: Committee

6. 7 November 1977

   Introduced

   Referred to House Committee on International Relations.

   Source: IntroReferral

7. 7 November 1977

   Reported

   Reported to House from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs with amendment, H. Rept. 95-588 (Part II).

   Source: Committee

8. 7 November 1977

   Reported

   Reported to House from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs with amendment, H. Rept. 95-588 (Part II).

   Source: Committee

9. 16 February 1978

   Reported

   Reported to House from the Committee on International Relations with amendment, H. Rept. 95-588 (Part III).

   Source: Committee

10. 16 February 1978

    Reported

    Reported to House from the Committee on International Relations with amendment, H. Rept. 95-588 (Part III).

    Source: Committee

11. 24 July 1978

    Floor

    Measure called up by special rule in House.

    Source: Floor

12. 26 July 1978

    Floor

    Measure considered in House.

    Source: Floor

13. 26 July 1978

    Vote

    Measure passed House, amended (inserted text of H.R. 12988), roll call #603 (312-80).

    Source: Floor

14. 26 July 1978

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: Measure passed House, amended (inserted text of H.R. 12988), roll call #603 (312-80).

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

2 official files

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 26 July 1978

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 9 February 1977

  Open at official source

  Leesvertaling

  Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

  Vertaal naarNL · DutchDE · GermanFR · FrenchES · SpanishIT · ItalianPL · PolishPT · PortugueseSV · SwedishDA · DanishFI · FinnishEL · GreekCS · CzechHU · HungarianRO · RomanianBG · BulgarianHR · CroatianSK · SlovakSL · SlovenianLT · LithuanianLV · LatvianET · EstonianGA · IrishMT · Maltese

  Vertaal document

  Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

Sponsors

• Rep. Murphy, John M. [D-NY-17] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Breaux, John B. [D-LA] · D · Cosponsor
• · hsfa00 · Standing
• · hsii00 · Standing
• · hloc00 · Select
• · hsmm00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → A resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 3350, to promote the orderly development of hard mineral resources in the deep seabed, pending adoption of an international regime relating thereto.
• related to ← Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Act
• related to ← Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Act
• related to ← Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Removal Tax Act