Congressman Carter Introduces Bipartisan Offshore Parity Act to Create Equal Offshore Gulf State Boundaries

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), and U.S. Representatives Mike Ezell (R-MS), Clay Higgins (R-LA), and Shomari Figures (D-AL) introduced the bipartisan Offshore Parity Act, legislation to establish equal offshore boundaries for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama-bringing them in line with Texas and Florida.

"This is a critical step toward equality, ensuring that Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have the same authority over their waters as Texas and Florida," said Rep. Carter. "This bill will empower us to manage our energy resources, protect our coastal communities, and strengthen our fisheries-securing economic benefits for our states."

Under current law, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama have jurisdiction over three nautical miles offshore, while Texas and Florida maintain nine nautical miles. The Offshore Parity Act would extend the boundaries of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to nine nautical miles, generating greater revenue for the states from energy and marine resources.

"For too long, Mississippi and our Gulf Coast neighbors have operated under an outdated and unequal system," said Rep. Ezell. "This bill is about fairness. Expanding our offshore boundaries will strengthen our economy, support energy production, and give our state the same opportunities already afforded to Texas and Florida."

"There's no reason Alabama should have less access and control of our shores than Texas and Florida have over theirs," said Rep. Figures. "This bipartisan bill levels the playing field by making a commonsense update that ensures all gulf states have equal offshore boundaries."

"This bill ensures that states are on equal footing regarding offshore boundaries," said Rep. Higgins. "The expansion from three to nine miles of state waters would provide Louisiana with greater control and economic benefit from its offshore resources. My office will continue to advocate for our coastal communities and industries."

Background:

The Offshore Parity Act proposes amendments to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to reflect the expanded boundaries and align fisheries and resource management accordingly.

This legislation builds on prior efforts introduced in the 118^th Congress and continues longstanding advocacy from Gulf Coast states seeking equal treatment under federal law. The current disparity dates to the Submerged Lands Act of 1953, which granted Texas and Florida expanded offshore boundaries while limiting Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama to three nautical miles. The State of Louisiana challenged this restriction before the United States Supreme Court in 1969, which ruled in United States v. Louisiana that Louisiana could not prove it had jurisdiction over waters extending nine nautical miles from its coastline before it entered the Union, and therefore its state waters would remain at three nautical miles. The Offshore Parity Act fixes this disparity. By establishing parity, the bill is expected to enhance economic development, increase state revenues, and provide greater local control over coastal resources.

Full text of the bill can be found here.

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