# 119-hr-4018: To unleash America's offshore critical minerals and resources.

119-hr-4018, To unleash America's offshore critical minerals and resources., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4] (R-MS); status in_committee; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4018
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-4018
- Congress: 119
- Title: To unleash America's offshore critical minerals and resources.
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-06-17
- Sponsor: Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4] (R-MS)
- Cosponsors: 13
- Policy area: Energy
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Accelerate domestic seabed mineral development** to secure critical minerals for economic and national security and to counter China’s influence. The bill sets a fast timetable and a strategic framework to speed exploration, mapping, permitting, and processing while aiming to preserve environmental and transparency standards. - U.S. companies: Directs Commerce (via NOAA) and Interior to fast-track license reviews, prospecting permits, and leases for seabed exploration and commercial recovery, with key actions set on 60-day timelines to boost predictability and competitiveness for U.S. firms. - Federal agencies and mapping: Requires Interior to produce a seabed mapping plan for priority outer Continental Shelf areas, identifies seabed minerals, and coordinates with Defense and Energy on which minerals are essential, all under 60-day deadlines. It also requires two 60-day reports: one on private-sector interest and one on the feasibility of international benefit-sharing beyond national jurisdictions. - Supply chain, defense, and allies: Pushes for domestic processing and a robust supply chain for critical minerals and directs engagement with allies to support responsible exploration, extraction, and environmental monitoring. It positions the U.S. to lead in seabed technologies and to counter China’s influence in seabed resource development.

## Cosponsors (13)

- Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1] (R-IA), 2025-06-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13] (R-FL), 2025-06-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1] (R-MN), 2025-06-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21] (R-NY), 2025-06-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11] (R-FL), 2025-06-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6] (R-IN), 2025-06-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1] (R-VA), 2025-06-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3] (R-MS), 2025-06-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27] (R-TX), 2025-06-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5] (R-OK), 2025-07-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6] (R-OH), 2025-07-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3] (R-CO), 2025-07-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17] (R-NY), 2025-09-02T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Faster permits and clear rules for seabed mining: benefit, medium. If enacted, NOAA and Commerce would speed license and permit reviews within 60 days. Interior would set a faster process for prospecting and leases on the outer Continental Shelf. These steps aim for efficient, predictable, and competitive reviews for U.S. companies. The bill would also define what…
- Map key seabed areas and priorities: benefit, medium. Within 60 days, Interior would plan to map priority outer Continental Shelf areas, including extended zones. The plan would involve agencies, companies, and nonprofits to speed data collection and site knowledge. Also within 60 days, Interior, with Defense and Energy, would list seabed‑derived crit…
- Work with allies on seabed minerals: benefit, medium. Within 60 days, Commerce, with State, Interior, and Energy, would engage key allies and partners. They would offer support for exploration, extraction, processing, and environmental monitoring in partner waters. This could open scientific and commercial chances for U.S. companies and set a priority…
- No new lawsuit rights; agency powers kept: cost, low. If enacted, this bill would not create a private right to sue the government under it. It would also say the Act does not change any agency’s existing legal powers. These are legal limits, not new benefits or payments.

## Related bills

- 119-hr-842: Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act
- 119-hr-5401: Pay Our Troops Act of 2026
- 119-hr-425: Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act
- 119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 119-hr-1502: North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-4018 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4018)

## Related
- [119-hr-842: Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage A…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-842)
- [119-hr-5401: Pay Our Troops Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5401)
- [119-hr-425: Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-425)
- [119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1628)
- [119-hr-1502: North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1502)
- [119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1262)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4018 (as of 2026-04-21).