Summary

Prohibits federal issuance of licenses, permits, or other authorizations for commercial exploration or recovery of hard mineral resources on the deep seabed and for hardrock mineral exploration, development, or production on the Outer Continental Shelf, while preserving an exception for scientific research. Requires the Secretary of Commerce (through NOAA) to seek within 90 days an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to carry out a comprehensive study of environmental, ecological, climate, cultural, and economic impacts of seabed and OCS mining and to report findings to specified Congressional committees.

• Bans federal permits for commercial deep seabed mining and for hardrock mineral development on the Outer Continental Shelf, while allowing scientific research.
• Requires NOAA to seek a National Academies study within 90 days on environmental, cultural, and economic impacts of seabed and OCS mining.
• Study must assess ecosystem characterization, species and habitat impacts, sediment plume effects, and greenhouse gas consequences.
• Study must evaluate effects on marine users (fisheries, aquaculture, recreational users, subsea infrastructure) and Indigenous peoples/cultures.
• Study must consider alternatives such as recycling, substitute materials, and measures to reduce impacts from terrestrial mining.
• Prohibition overrides existing statutory authorities that would otherwise permit such mining activities under certain conditions.
• No dedicated funding or explicit appropriations are specified in the text provided.
• Report required to be delivered to five specified Congressional committees in both chambers.