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Bill117th CongressFiled Mar 2, 2021Energy
H.R. 1503

Restoring Community Input and Public Protections in Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2021

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary reported to house, part i (Dec 14, 2022)

Restoring Community Input and Public Protections in Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2021

This bill modifies several provisions related to oil and gas leasing on public lands.

Among other requirements, the bill replaces the competitive auction process with a competitive-sealed bidding process. It also eliminates non-competitive bidding.

Additionally, the bill increases royalty rates, rental rates, and the minimum bid amount. Further, the bill creates a fee for nominating lands for leasing.

Lease sales must be held in each state no more than three times per year instead of quarterly. The bill also decreases lease term durations from 10 to 5 years. Certain lease information must be made available on public websites, including the names of all current and former lessees and operators.

The bill also adds a number of new provisions related to protection of private surface estate owners.

Finally, the bill establishes requirements to protect water resources, including by requiring oil or gas operators to replace certain water supplies affected by drilling, hydraulic fracturing (i.e., fracking), or production operations. In addition, the Bureau of Land Management must issue regulations governing the use of fracking under oil and gas leases for federal lands. The regulations must require (1) baseline water testing, and (2) public disclosure of each chemical used for fracking.

What just happenedDec 14, 2022

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 452.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49](D-CA)Sponsor
16 cosponsors16 D
Read on Congress.gov
16cosponsors2committees14actions13subjects
  1. Dec 14, 2022CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 452.

  2. Dec 14, 2022DischargeH12300

    Committee on Agriculture discharged.

    Agriculture Committee
  3. Dec 14, 2022Committee5500

    Committee on Agriculture discharged.

    Agriculture Committee
  4. Dec 14, 2022CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-628, Part I.

    Natural Resources Committee
  5. Dec 14, 2022Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-628, Part I.

    Natural Resources Committee
  6. May 5, 2021Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 15.

    Natural Resources Committee
  7. May 5, 2021Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Natural Resources Committee
  8. May 5, 2021Committee

    Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.

    Natural Resources Committee
  9. Apr 28, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.

    Forestry Subcommittee
  10. Mar 8, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

    Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee
  11. Mar 2, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Agriculture Committee
  12. Mar 2, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Natural Resources Committee
  13. Mar 2, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  14. Mar 2, 2021IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Reported to House, Part IDec 14, 20228

Restoring Community Input and Public Protections in Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2021

This bill modifies several provisions related to oil and gas leasing on public lands.

Among other requirements, the bill replaces the competitive auction process with a competitive-sealed bidding process. It also eliminates non-competitive bidding.

Additionally, the bill increases royalty rates, rental rates, and the minimum bid amount. Further, the bill creates a fee for nominating lands for leasing.

Lease sales must be held in each state no more than three times per year instead of quarterly. The bill also decreases lease term durations from 10 to 5 years. Certain lease information must be made available on public websites, including the names of all current and former lessees and operators.

The bill also adds a number of new provisions related to protection of private surface estate owners.

Finally, the bill establishes requirements to protect water resources, including by requiring oil or gas operators to replace certain water supplies affected by drilling, hydraulic fracturing (i.e., fracking), or production operations. In addition, the Bureau of Land Management must issue regulations governing the use of fracking under oil and gas leases for federal lands. The regulations must require (1) baseline water testing, and (2) public disclosure of each chemical used for fracking.

Introduced in HouseMar 2, 2021

Restoring Community Input and Public Protections in Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2021

This bill modifies several provisions related to oil and gas leasing on public lands.

Among other requirements, the bill replaces the competitive auction process with a competitive-sealed bidding process. It also eliminates non-competitive bidding.

Additionally, the bill increases royalty rates, rental rates, and the minimum bid amount. Further, the bill creates a fee for nominating lands for leasing.

Lease sales must be held in each state no more than three times per year instead of quarterly. The bill also decreases lease term durations from 10 to 5 years. Certain lease information must be made available on public websites, including the names of all current and former lessees and operators.

The Department of the Interior may issue master leasing plans to avoid conflicts between mineral leasing and other land uses.

The bill also adds a number of new provisions related to protection of private surface estate owners.

Finally, the bill establishes requirements to protect water resources, including by requiring oil or gas operators to replace certain water supplies affected by drilling, hydraulic fracturing (i.e., fracking), or production operations. In addition, the Bureau of Land Management must issue regulations governing the use of fracking under oil and gas leases for federal lands. The regulations must require (1) baseline water testing, and (2) public disclosure of each chemical used for fracking.

Restoring Community Input and Public Protections in Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2021 — Informed