Portal Exploration and Development Act
SECTION 1. PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZATION
(a) PURPOSE - The purpose of this Act is to facilitate and regulate private exploration and development of resources within anomalous portal breaches to better understand these phenomena and harness their economic potential for the United States.
(b) AUTHORIZATION - The Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized and directed to establish a program managing controlled commercial expeditions into portal breaches, in coordination with relevant agencies.
SECTION 2. EXPEDITION REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS
(a) SAFETY STANDARDS - The Secretary shall establish rigorous occupational safety standards for private portal expeditions to protect involved personnel.
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(b) ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW - A thorough environmental impact review shall be required before granting any private portal access permit.
(c) SCOPE LIMITATIONS - Permitted expeditions shall be limited in scope and duration. Collection of resources and specimens must be restricted to approved types and quantities.
(d) OVERSIGHT - All permitted expeditions require real-time tracking and continuous video/data feeds to appropriate regulatory authorities.
(e) LIABILITY AND COMPENSATION - Private entities shall carry robust insurance coverage for expedition injuries/damages and provide fair compensation to personnel.
SECTION 3. FEES AND REVENUE SHARING
(a) PERMIT FEES - The Secretary shall impose a reasonable fee schedule for granting private portal access permits to cover administration costs.
(b) RESOURCE REVENUE - Permitted entities shall pay the U.S. Government fair market value for any resources extracted from portals for commercial purposes.
SECTION 4. ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES
(a) MONITORING AUTHORITY - The Secretary shall have full authority to monitor and inspect permitted portal operations for compliance.
(b) CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES - Entities violating permit terms and restrictions shall face escalating civil fines and criminal liability for negligence or wrongdoing.
SECTION 5. APPROPRIATIONS
(a) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as necessary to carry out design/enforcement of this Act.
SECTION 6. ENACTMENT
(a) This Act shall take effect 180 days after passage by Congress and signature by the President.