Legislative Hearing on H.R. 5745

The House Committee on Natural Resources GOP held a legislative hearing on January 14, 2026, to discuss H.R. 5745, the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act. The bill aims to codify and strengthen the Rigs to Reefs program, which allows decommissioned offshore oil and gas platforms to be converted into artificial reefs to support marine ecosystems and fisheries. Testimony from various stakeholders, including the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), state fisheries officials, marine biologists, and environmental advocates, highlighted the ecological and economic benefits of the program, such as habitat preservation, fisheries enhancement, and cost savings for operators. However, concerns were raised about potential environmental risks, liability shifts to states, and the impact on coastal restoration efforts, particularly regarding pipelines left on the seafloor. The hearing included discussions on regulatory oversight, staffing capacity at BSEE, and the balance between energy development and environmental protection. No specific contract awards or procurement actions were reported, but the bill's implementation could influence future federal and state agency activities related to offshore infrastructure decommissioning and habitat management.