Legis Daily

Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act

USA119th CongressHR-1555| House 
| Updated: 3/18/2026
Stephanie I. Bice

Stephanie I. Bice

Republican Representative

Oklahoma

Cosponsors (3)
Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann (Republican)Julie Fedorchak (Republican)Craig A. Goldman (Republican)

Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to streamline the permitting process for oil and gas exploration and production activities by amending the Mineral Leasing Act. It specifies that a federal drilling permit is not required for operations conducted on non-Federal surface estate , provided the United States holds less than a 50 percent ownership interest in the subsurface mineral estate and the operator submits a valid State permit. Under these conditions, such activities would not be considered a major Federal action for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, nor would they be subject to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 or Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Operations could commence 30 days after the State permit is submitted to the Secretary, requiring no additional federal action beyond the initial submission. However, the bill explicitly states that these provisions do not affect federal royalty amounts or the Secretary's authority to conduct audits and inspections to ensure proper accountability and collection of royalties, and they do not apply to Indian lands.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1205
Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act
Feb 25, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-722
Introduced in Senate
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 25, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Mar 18, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1205
    Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act


  • February 25, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-722
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 25, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 25, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • March 18, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Energy

Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act

USA119th CongressHR-1555| House 
| Updated: 3/18/2026
This legislation aims to streamline the permitting process for oil and gas exploration and production activities by amending the Mineral Leasing Act. It specifies that a federal drilling permit is not required for operations conducted on non-Federal surface estate , provided the United States holds less than a 50 percent ownership interest in the subsurface mineral estate and the operator submits a valid State permit. Under these conditions, such activities would not be considered a major Federal action for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, nor would they be subject to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 or Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Operations could commence 30 days after the State permit is submitted to the Secretary, requiring no additional federal action beyond the initial submission. However, the bill explicitly states that these provisions do not affect federal royalty amounts or the Secretary's authority to conduct audits and inspections to ensure proper accountability and collection of royalties, and they do not apply to Indian lands.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1205
Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act
Feb 25, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-722
Introduced in Senate
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 25, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Mar 18, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1205
    Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act


  • February 25, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-722
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 25, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 25, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • March 18, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Stephanie I. Bice

Stephanie I. Bice

Republican Representative

Oklahoma

Cosponsors (3)
Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann (Republican)Julie Fedorchak (Republican)Craig A. Goldman (Republican)

Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

Energy

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted