Transferring Liability for Decommissioned Offshore Oil and Gas Platforms and Pipelines to the States

House Natural Resources Committee
   Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee
1324 Longworth

01/13/2026 at 10:15AM

On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 10:15 a.m., in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, will hold a legislative hearing on the following bill:

  • H.R. 5745 (Rep. Ezell), “Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act”, to promote fish habitat through the enhancement of certain offshore oil and gas platforms and pipelines as artificial reefs, and for other purposes. The legislation would transfer all responsibilities and liabilities to the state if a decommissioned oil and gas platform or pipeline is acquired as an artificial reef.

Hearing memo

Witnesses

Panel I (Members of Congress)

  • To Be Announced

Panel II (Administration Witnesses)

  • Bryan Domangue, Gulf of America Regional Director, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, New Orleans, LA

Panel III (Outside Experts)

  • Chris Horton, Senior Director, Fisheries Policy, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Washington, D.C.
  • Dr. Greg Stunz, Senior Executive Director, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, TX
  • Ryan Montegut, Assistant Secretary of Fisheries, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton Rouge, LA
  • Megan Biven, Founder, True Transition, Carmel, IN (Minority Witness)