,,ii #aai? ,,congress #a/ ,session ,s4 #bhfj ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates ,septemb] #ah 7legislative day1 ,septemb] #af71 #bjbe ,mr4 ,%eehy 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,cotton1 ,mrs4 ,blackburn1 & ,mrs4 ,britt7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,en]gy & ,natural ,res\rces ,a ,,bill ,to unlea% ,unit$ ,/ates (f%ore critical m9]als & res\rces1 & = o!r purposes4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,revitaliz+ ,am]ica's ,(f%ore ,critical ,m9]als ,dom9ance ,act4 #b4 ,f9d+s ,congress f9ds t-- 7#a7 ! ,unit$ ,/ates has a core national security & economic int]e/ 9 ma9ta9+ lead]%ip 9 deep sea sci5ce & te*nology & seab$ m9]al res\rces2 7#b7 ! ,unit$ ,/ates faces unprec$5t$ economic & national security *all5ges 9 secur+ reliable supplies ( critical m9]als indep5d5t ( =eign adv]s>y control2 7#c7 va/ (f%ore seab$ areas hold critical m9]als & en]gy res\rces2 7#d7 (f%ore seab$ res\rces are key to /r5g!n+ ! economy ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 secur+ ! en]gy future1 & r$uc+ dep5d5ce on =eign suppli]s = critical m9]als2 7#e7 ! ,unit$ ,/ates controls seab$ m9]al res\rces 9 #a ( ! l>ge/ ocean areas ( ! _w2 7#f7 ! ,unit$ ,/ates c1 ?r\gh ! ex]cise ( exi/+ au?orities & by e/abli%+ int]national p>tn]%ips1 access pot5tially va/ res\rces 9 seab$ polymetallic nodules1 o!r subsea geologic /ructures1 & coa/al deposits conta9+ /rategic m9]als su* z nickel1 cobalt1 copp]1 manganese1 titanium1 & r>e e>? elem5ts1 :i* are vital to ! national security & economic prosp]ity ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 7#g7 ! ,unit$ ,/ates mu/ take imm$iate action to accel]ate ! responsible developm5t ( seab$ m9]al res\rces1 quantify ! end[m5t ( seab$ m9]als ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 re9vigorate ,unit$ ,/ates lead]%ip 9 associat$ extraction & process+ te*nologies1 & ensure secure supply *a9s = ! def5se1 infra/ructure1 & en]gy sectors ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 & 7#h7 x is ! policy ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates to advance ,unit$ ,/ates lead]%ip 9 seab$ m9]al developm5t by-- 7,a7 rapidly develop+ dome/ic capabilities = ! exploration1 *>act]ization1 collection1 & process+ ( seab$ m9]al res\rces ?r\gh /reaml9$ p]mitt+ )\t compromis+ environm5tal & transp>5cy /&>ds2 7,b7 support+ inve/m5t 9 deep sea sci5ce1 mapp+1 & te*nology2 7,c7 enhanc+ coord9ation among executive dep>tm5ts & ag5cies ) respect to seab$ m9]al developm5t activities describ$ 9 ?is ,act2 7,d7 e/abli%+ ! ,unit$ ,/ates z a global lead] 9 responsible seab$ m9]al exploration1 developm5t te*nologies1 & practices1 & z a p>tn] = c\ntries develop+ seab$ m9]al res\rces 9 areas )9 _! national jurisdictions1 includ+ _! exclusive economic zones2 7,e7 creat+ a robu/ dome/ic supply *a9 = critical m9]als d]iv$ f seab$ m9]al res\rces to support economic gr[?1 re9du/rialization1 & milit>y prep>$ness1 includ+ ?r\gh new process+ capabilities2 & 7,f7 /r5g!n+ p>tn]%ips ) allies & indu/ry to c\nt] ! gr[+ influ5ce ( ,*9a ov] seab$ m9]al res\rces1 & to ensure t ,unit$ ,/ates companies are well-position$ to support allies & p>tn]s int]e/$ 9 develop+ seab$ m9]als responsibly 9 areas )9 _! national jurisdictions1 includ+ _! exclusive economic zones4 #c4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act3 7#a7 ,comm]cial recov]y ,! t]m comm]cial recov]y has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9 section #d ( ! ,deep ,seab$ ,h>d ,m9]al ,res\rces ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #adjc74 7#b7 ,critical m9]al ,! t]m critical m9]al has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9 section #gjjb7;a7 ( ! ,en]gy ,act ( #bjbj 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #afjf7;a774 7#c7 ,exploration ,! t]m exploration has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9 section #d ( ! ,deep ,seab$ ,h>d ,m9]al ,res\rces ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #adjc74 7#d7 ,lease ,! t]m lease has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9 section #b ( ! ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #acca74 7#e7 ,m9]al ,! t]m m9]al means-- 7,a7 a critical m9]al2 7,b7 uranium2 7,c7 copp]2 7,d7 pota%2 7,e7 gold2 & 7,f7 any o!r elem5t or comp\nd t ! ,*air ( ! ,national ,en]gy ,dom9ance ,c\ncil det]m9es appropriate4 7#f7 ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf ,! t]m out] ,cont95tal ,%elf has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9 section #b ( ! ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #acca74 7#g7 ,process+ ,! t]m process+ includes ! conc5tration1 sep>ation1 ref9em5t1 alloy+1 & conv]sion ( m9]als into usable =ms4 7#h7 ,prospect+ ,! t]m prospect+ has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m geological & geophysical 7,g,g7 prospect+ activities 9 section #ehj4a ( title #cj1 ,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations 7or a successor regulation74 7#i7 ,seab$ m9]al res\rce ,! t]m seab$ m9]al res\rce means a m9]al-be>+ mat]ial locat$ 9 ! seab$ ( ! out] ,cont95tal ,%elf1 includ+-- 7,a7 a polymetallic nodule2 7,b7 a cobalt-ri* f]romanganese cru/2 7,c7 a polymetallic sulfide2 7,d7 a heavy m9]al s&2 & 7,e7 a phosphorite4 7#aj7 ,unit$ ,/ates company ,! t]m ,unit$ ,/ates company has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5 9 section #d ( ! ,deep ,seab$ ,h>d ,m9]al ,res\rces ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #adjc74 #d4 ,/rategic seab$ critical m9]al access 7a7 ,exp$it+ issuance ( c]ta9 au?orizations 7#a7 ,deep ,seab$ ,h>d ,m9]al ,res\rces ,act ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce1 act+ ?r\gh ! ,adm9i/rator ( ! ,national ,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration1 9 consultation ) ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate & ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior1 act+ ?r\gh ! ,director ( ! ,bureau ( ,ocean ,en]gy ,managem5t1 %all-- 7,a7 exp$ite ! process = review+ & issu+ lic5ses = exploration & p]mits = comm]cial recov]y "u ! ,deep ,seab$ ,h>d ,m9]al ,res\rces ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #adja et seq472 & 7,b7 c>ry out subp>agraph 7,a7 9 a mann] ensur+ effici5cy1 pr$ictability1 & competitiv5ess = ,unit$ ,/ates companies4 7#b7 ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s ,act ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior %all-- 7,a7 e/abli% an exp$it$ process = review+ & approv+ p]mits = prospect+ & grant+ leases "u ! ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #acca et seq472 & 7,b7 c>ry out subp>agraph 7,a7 9 a mann] ensur+ effici5cy1 pr$ictability1 & competitiv5ess = ,unit$ ,/ates companies4 7b7 ,seab$ mapp+ plan ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior1 9 consultation ) ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate1 ! ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce1 & ! heads ( o!r relevant ,f$]al dep>tm5ts & ag5cies1 & 9 coop]ation ) comm]cial & o!r nongov]nm5tal organizations1 %all develop a plan to map priority areas ( ! seab$ & out] ,cont95tal ,%elf ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 to include ext5d$ areas ( ! out] ,cont95tal ,%elf1 su* z ^? ) abundant or accessible seab$ m9]al res\rces1 to accel]ate data collection & *>act]ization4 7c7 ,id5tification ( c]ta9 critical m9]als ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior %all-- 7#a7 id5tify critical m9]als t may be d]iv$ f seab$ m9]al res\rces2 & 7#b7 9 coord9ation ) ! ,secret>y ( ,def5se & ,secret>y ( ,en]gy1 det]m9e :i* critical m9]als d]iv$ f seab$ m9]al res\rces are ess5tial = applications su* z def5se infra/ructure1 manufactur+1 & en]gy4 7d7 ,engagem5t ) key p>tn]s & allies 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce1 9 coord9ation ) ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate1 ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior1 & ,secret>y ( ,en]gy1 %all engage ) key p>tn]s & allies to (f] support = seab$ m9]al res\rce exploration1 extraction1 process+1 & environm5tal monitor+ 9 areas )9 ! jurisdictions ( su* key p>tn]s & allies1 includ+ by-- 7,a7 seek+ sci5tific collaboration & comm]cial developm5t opportunities = ,unit$ ,/ates companies2 & 7,b7 develop+ a prioritiz$ li/ ( =eign c\ntries = engagem5t4 7#b7 ,key p>tn] or ally det]m9ation 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y ( ,/ate %all det]m9e :e!r an entity is a key p>tn] or ally = ! purposes ( p>agraph 7#a7 bas$ on sev]al factors1 includ+-- 7i7 exi/+ agreem5ts ) ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 7ii7 alignm5t ) /rategic int]e/s ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 & 7iii7 p>ticipation 9 jo9t initiatives4 7,b7 ,notification ,! ,secret>y ( ,/ate %all notify ! ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce1 ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior1 & ,secret>y ( ,en]gy ( any det]m9ation made "u subp>agraph 7,a74 7e7 ,reports ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act-- 7#a7 ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior1 9 coord9ation ) ! ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce & ,secret>y ( ,en]gy1 & 9 consultation ) ! heads ( o!r relevant ,f$]al dep>tm5ts & ag5cies1 %all submit to ! ,committees on ,en]gy & ,natural ,res\rces & ,comm]ce1 ,sci5ce1 & ,transportation ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,natural ,res\rces ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report t id5tifies private sector int]e/ 9 & opportunities = seab$ m9]al res\rce exploration & m9+ on ! out] ,cont95tal ,%elf1 9 areas beyond national jurisdiction1 & 9 areas )9 ! jurisdiction ( a =eign c\ntry t expresses int]e/ 9 p>tn]+ ) ,unit$ ,/ates companies ) respect to seab$ m9]al res\rce developm5t2 & 7#b7 ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior1 jo9tly ) ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate1 ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce1 & ,secret>y ( ,en]gy1 %all submit to ! ,committees on ,en]gy & ,natural ,res\rces & ,comm]ce1 ,sci5ce1 & ,transportation ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,natural ,res\rces ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report reg>d+ ! feasibility ( an int]national b5efit-%>+ me*anism = seab$ m9]al res\rce extraction & developm5t t occurs 9 an area beyond ! jurisdiction ( any c\ntry4 7f7 ,rules ( con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is ,act-- 7#a7 impairs or o!rwise affects ! au?ority grant$ by law to any executive dep>tm5t or ag5cy2 or 7#b7 creates any "r or b5efit1 sub/antive or proc$ural1 en=ceable at law or 9 equity by any p>ty aga9/ ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 any dep>tm5t1 ag5cy1 or entity ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 any (fic]1 employee1 or ag5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 or any o!r p]son4