Seismic Moratorium Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 12, 2015

Seismic Moratorium Act

This bill prohibits conducting geological or geophysical activities in support of oil or gas exploration and development in any area located within a specified exclusive economic zone located off the coastline of Florida.

This moratorium shall only be terminated if the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (of the Department of Commerce) determines that the reasonably foreseeable impacts of such activities are minimal to individuals or populations of marine mammals, sea turtles, or fish.

These geological or geophysical activities are described in the final programmatic environmental impact statement of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (of the Department of the Interior) entitled "Atlantic OCS Proposed Geological and Geophysical Activities, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Planning Areas," completed February 2014.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Murphy, Patrick [D-FL-18] · D–FL

Committees

Natural Resources Committee

8 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jun 4, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Jun 4, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.
May 12, 2015
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
May 12, 2015
Introduced in House
May 12, 2015
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · May 12, 2015 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.2276 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.2276, 114th Congress: Seismic Moratorium Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2276

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2015-05-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr2276/BILLS-114hr2276ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T20:44:13Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2276 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2276 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.2276, 114th Congress: Seismic Moratorium Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2276

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2015-05-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr2276/BILLS-114hr2276ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T20:44:13Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2276 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Examine H.R.2276 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss H.R.2276, 114th Congress: Seismic Moratorium Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2276

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2015-05-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr2276/BILLS-114hr2276ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T20:44:13Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2276 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Examine H.R.2276 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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Discuss H.R.2276, 114th Congress: Seismic Moratorium Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2276

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2015-05-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr2276/BILLS-114hr2276ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T20:44:13Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2276 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.