Deep Seabed Mineral Resources Act

passedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

26 February 1979

Last action

14 December 1979 · Passed

Status

Measure passed Senate, amended.

Summary

Deep Seabed Mineral Resources Act - Title I: Regulation of Exploration and Commercial Recovery by United States Citizens - Disclaims extraterritorial sovereignty by the United States over deep seabeds. Prohibits any United States citizen from engaging in exploration of or commercial recovery from, the deep seabed unless authorized: (1) under a license issued pursuant to this Act; (2) under a license issued by a reciprocating state; or (3) pursuant to an international agreement. Permits the continuation of existing exploration upon timely application for such license. Prohibits interference with the activities of a licensee under this Act. Stipulates activities which are exempted from this Act. Sets forth procedures for the issuance of, and limitations upon, licenses for exploration and commercial recovery under this Act. Declares any United States citizen eligible for a license for exploration. Establishes a formula for the determination of priority of right for issuance. Sets forth findings which must be made prior to issuance of a license of exploration or commercial recovery. Permits modifications or suspension of operations upon order of the Secretary of the Interior. Provides for an antitrust review by the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission of any such license application. Stipulates procedures and effects of denial, suspension, modification, or revocation of a license. Requires the preparation of environmental impact statements with respect to the areas likely to be developed by United States citizens. Specifies criteria for the size of areas of exploration or commercial recovery. Requires the Secretary to impose performance requirements upon licensees. Permits relinquishment or surrender of such licenses. Permits license restrictions pertaining to the conservation of natural resources. Requires certain record keeping, environmental impact statements, navigational safety procedures and disclosure by licensees. Prohibits licensees from interfering with reasonable uses of the seas. Permits the Secretary to monitor exploration or commercial recovery operations. Permits the Secretary to designate "reciprocating states" as defined by this Act. Title II: Transition to an International Agreement - Declares the intent of Congress regarding any international seabed agreements to which the United States may become a party to be: (1) to provide reasonable access to the deep seabed mineral resources for United States citizens; and (2) to recognize certain continuing seabed mining rights of United States citizens who have begun such mining operations prior to any such international agreement. Sets forth the effect upon specified provisions of this Act resulting from subsequent international agreements. Title III: Enforcement Authority - Makes unlawful any violations of this Act. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for such violations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to enforce this Act. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to have exclusive responsibility for enforcement measures carried out at sea which affect the operation of vessels under a license or permit. Makes vessels in violation of this Act liable in rem for such violation and subject to civil forfeiture. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to issue regulations for the implementation of this Act and to submit to the Congress an annual report on the implementation of this Act. Title V: Taxation of Removal of Deep Seabed Hard Minerals - Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Removal Tax Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to impose an excise tax on the removal of hard mineral resources from the deep seabed. Establishes in the United States Treasury a Deep Seabed Fund.

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

Timeline

26 February 1979
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
26 February 1979
Introduced
Referred to Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Source: IntroReferral
9 August 1979
Introduced
Referred to Senate Committee on Finance; and Environment and Public Works.
Source: IntroReferral
9 August 1979
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources with amendment, S. Rept. 96-307.
Source: Committee
9 August 1979
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources with amendment, S. Rept. 96-307.
Source: Committee
3 October 1979
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Finance, S. Rept. 96-357.
Source: Committee
3 October 1979
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Finance, S. Rept. 96-357.
Source: Committee
9 October 1979
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Environment and Public Works with amendment, S. Rept. 96-360.
Source: Committee
9 October 1979
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Environment and Public Works with amendment, S. Rept. 96-360.
Source: Committee
14 December 1979
Floor
Call of calendar in Senate.
Source: Floor
14 December 1979
Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Measure passed Senate, amended.
Source: Floor

Votes

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Versions

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Documents

6 official files

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Passed Senate amended
summary · EN · 14 December 1979
Open at official source
Reported to Senate amended, 5th committee reporting
summary · EN · 9 October 1979
Open at official source
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Reported to Senate amended, 3rd committee reporting
summary · EN · 9 August 1979
Open at official source
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Reported to Senate amended, 2nd committee reporting
summary · EN · 9 August 1979
Open at official source
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Reported to Senate amended, 1st committee reporting
summary · EN · 9 August 1979
Open at official source
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Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 26 February 1979
Open at official source
Leesvertaling
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Related records

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Sources

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Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/96th-congress/senate-bill/493
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/96/s/493
us · 96-s-493 · source updated 24 March 2026