Florida Coastal Protection Act

This bill prohibits new federal oil and gas leasing and drilling in specific offshore areas near Florida. It directly affects federal energy leasing decisions by banning exploration, development, and production in three designated zones: the eastern Gulf of Mexico (per a 2006 law), a portion of the South Atlantic Planning Area south of 30°43'N latitude, and the Straits of Florida. The key mechanism is an amendment to federal law that blocks new leases in these areas, though existing leases remain unaffected. This policy change prevents future offshore drilling in these environmentally sensitive Florida coastal waters.