Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management relating to "Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources".

This measure would cancel a Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) rule called “Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources,” which was published on September 3, 2024. That rule requires oil and gas companies working on the Outer Continental Shelf to submit an archaeological report that identifies any possible historic or cultural remains on the seafloor in the area they plan to affect. Before this rule, BOEM only required such a report when a regional director had reason to think archaeological resources might be present .

If this measure becomes law, the 2024 rule would be nullified, and companies would go back to the previous, more limited reporting standard. In short, companies would no longer have to routinely provide these archaeological reports with their project approvals unless BOEM had a specific reason to ask for one .

• Who is affected: Oil and gas operators and lessees working on the Outer Continental Shelf seeking BOEM approval .
• What changes: The blanket requirement to submit an archaeological report would be removed; BOEM could still require a report when it believes resources may be present .
• When: It takes effect if and when this measure becomes law; the rule targeted was published on September 3, 2024 .