Library / Laws / 113th / hr / H.R. 4304 / Introduced in House
I
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4304
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 26, 2014
Mr. Scalise (for himself, Mrs. Black, Mr. McHenry, Mr. Mulvaney, Mr. Brady of Texas, Mr. Flores, Mr. Luetkemeyer, Mr. Roe of Tennessee, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Lankford, Mrs. Lummis, Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia, Mr. Huizenga of Michigan, Mr. Lamborn, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Barton, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Rice of South Carolina, Mr. Bentivolio, Mr. Salmon, Mr. Rooney, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Harris, and Mr. DesJarlais) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, Small Business, Education and the Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, Rules, Financial Services, Agriculture, and Ways and Means, 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
A BILL
To make certain repeals and revisions to Federal labor laws, to decrease the regulatory burdens on
small businesses, to provide for comprehensive energy reform, and to amend
the securities laws to streamline access to capital.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Jumpstarting Opportunities with Bold Solutions Act.
2.
Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Division I—Labor
Title I—Repeal of Davis-Bacon Act
Sec. 101. Repeal of Davis-Bacon wage requirements.
Sec. 102. Effective date and limitation.
Title II—Union contract not a bar to higher wages
Sec. 201. Payment of higher wages.
Title III—Repeal of provisions relating to official time of Federal employees for purposes of union
organizing
Sec. 301. Repeal of certain provisions relating to official time of Federal employees for purposes
of union organizing.
Title IV—Rulemaking, investigative, and adjudicative authority of the National Labor Relations
Board
Sec. 401. Authorities of the National Labor Relations Board.
Sec. 402. Regulations.
Division II—Deregulation
Title V—Uniform cost-benefit analysis of regulations
Sec. 501. Uniform use of cost-benefit analysis.
Sec. 502. Congressional review.
Title VI—Periodic review and termination of regulations
Sec. 601. Review of regulations.
Sec. 602. Rules covered.
Sec. 603. Criteria for sunset review.
Sec. 604. Sunset review procedures.
Sec. 605. Review deadlines for covered rules.
Sec. 606. Sunset review notices and agency reports.
Sec. 607. Designation of agency regulatory review officers.
Sec. 608. Relationship to the Administrative Procedure Act.
Sec. 609. Effect of termination of a covered rule.
Sec. 610. Judicial review.
Sec. 611. Definitions.
Sec. 612. Sunset of this title.
Title VII—Regulation costs to small businesses and Grace period for regulatory violations
Sec. 701. Small Business Administration study on the cost of Federal regulations.
Sec. 702. Grace period for regulatory violations.
Title VIII—Major Rules of the Executive Branch Be Approved By Congress
Sec. 801. Congressional review of agency rulemaking.
Sec. 802. Budgetary effects of rules subject to section 802 of title 5, United States Code.
Sec. 803. Government Accountability Office study of rules.
Title IX—Simplification of Mergers, Acquisitions and Sales of Small Business
Sec. 901. Registration exemption for merger and acquisition brokers.
Division III—Energy
Title X—Offshore Energy and Jobs Act
Sec. 1001. Short title.
Subtitle A—Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program Reforms
Sec. 1011. Outer Continental Shelf leasing program reforms.
Sec. 1012. Domestic oil and natural gas production goal.
Sec. 1013. Development and submittal of new 5-year oil and gas leasing program.
Sec. 1014. Rule of construction.
Subtitle B—Directing the President To Conduct New OCS Sales in Virginia, South Carolina, and
California
Sec. 1021. Requirement to conduct proposed oil and gas Lease Sale 220 on the Outer Continental
Shelf offshore Virginia.
Sec. 1022. South Carolina lease sale.
Sec. 1023. Southern California existing infrastructure lease sale.
Sec. 1024. Environmental impact statement requirement.
Sec. 1025. National defense.
Sec. 1026. Opening the Eastern Gulf of Mexico for exploration.
Subtitle C—Equitable Sharing of Outer Continental Shelf Revenues
Sec. 1031. Disposition of Outer Continental Shelf revenues to coastal States.
Subtitle D—Reorganization of Minerals Management Agencies of the Department of the Interior
Sec. 1041. Establishment of Under Secretary for Energy, Lands, and Minerals and Assistant Secretary
of Ocean Energy and Safety.
Sec. 1042. Bureau of Ocean Energy.
Sec. 1043. Ocean Energy Safety Service.
Sec. 1044. Office of Natural Resources Revenue.
Sec. 1045. Ethics and drug testing.
Sec. 1046. Abolishment of Minerals Management Service.
Sec. 1047. Conforming amendments to Executive Schedule pay rates.
Sec. 1048. Outer Continental Shelf Energy Safety Advisory Board.
Sec. 1049. Outer Continental Shelf inspection fees.
Sec. 1050. Prohibition on action based on National Ocean Policy developed under Executive Order No.
13547.
Subtitle E—United States Territories
Sec. 1061. Application of Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act with respect to territories of the
United States.
Subtitle F—Judicial Review
Sec. 1071. Time for filing complaint.
Sec. 1072. District court deadline.
Sec. 1073. Ability to seek appellate review.
Sec. 1074. Limitation on scope of review and relief.
Sec. 1075. Legal fees.
Sec. 1076. Exclusion.
Sec. 1077. Definitions.
Subtitle G—Miscellaneous Provisions
Sec. 1081. Rules regarding distribution of revenues under Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of
2006.
Sec. 1082. Seismic testing in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf.
Sec. 1083. Disposition of qualified outer Continental Shelf Revenues.
Title XI—Alaskan Energy for American Jobs Act
Sec. 2001. Short title.
Sec. 2002. Definitions.
Sec. 2003. Leasing program for lands within the Coastal Plain.
Sec. 2004. Lease sales.
Sec. 2005. Grant of leases by the Secretary.
Sec. 2006. Lease terms and conditions.
Sec. 2007. Policies regarding buying, building, and working for America.
Sec. 2008. Coastal Plain environmental protection.
Sec. 2009. Expedited judicial review.
Sec. 2010. Treatment of revenues.
Sec. 2011. Rights-of-way across the Coastal Plain.
Sec. 2012. Conveyance.
Title XII—State control on all available Federal land
Sec. 3001. State control on all available Federal land.
Title XIII—Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security
Subtitle A—Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security
Sec. 4001. Short title.
Sec. 4002. Policies regarding buying, building, and working for America.
Chapter 1—Onshore oil and gas permit streamlining
Sec. 4101. Short title.
Subchapter A—Application for Permits To Drill Process Reform
Sec. 4111. Permit to drill application timeline.
Sec. 4112. Solar and wind right-of-way rental reform.
Subchapter B—Administrative Protest Documentation Reform
Sec. 4121. Administrative protest documentation reform.
Subchapter C—Permit Streamlining
Sec. 4131. Improve Federal energy permit coordination.
Sec. 4132. Administration of current law.
Subchapter D—Judicial Review
Sec. 4141. Definitions.
Sec. 4142. Exclusive venue for certain civil actions relating to covered energy projects.
Sec. 4143. Timely filing.
Sec. 4144. Expedition in hearing and determining the action.
Sec. 4145. Standard of review.
Sec. 4146. Limitation on injunction and prospective relief.
Sec. 4147. Limitation on attorneys’ fees.
Sec. 4148. Legal standing.
Subchapter E—Knowing America’s Oil and Gas Resources
Sec. 4151. Funding oil and gas resource assessments.
Chapter 2—Oil and gas leasing certainty
Sec. 4161. Short title.
Sec. 4162. Minimum acreage requirement for onshore lease sales.
Sec. 4163. Leasing certainty.
Sec. 4164. Leasing consistency.
Sec. 4165. Reduce redundant policies.
Sec. 4166. Streamlined congressional notification.
Chapter 3—Oil shale
Sec. 4171. Short title.
Sec. 4172. Effectiveness of oil shale regulations, amendments to resource management plans, and
record of decision.
Sec. 4173. Oil shale leasing.
Chapter 4—Miscellaneous provisions
Sec. 4181. Rule of construction.
Subtitle B—Planning for American Energy
Sec. 4201. Short title.
Sec. 4202. Onshore domestic energy production strategic plan.
Subtitle C—National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska access
Sec. 4301. Short title.
Sec. 4302. Sense of Congress and reaffirming national policy for the National Petroleum Reserve in
Alaska.
Sec. 4303. National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska: lease sales.
Sec. 4304. National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska: planning and permitting pipeline and road
construction.
Sec. 4305. Issuance of a new integrated activity plan and environmental impact statement.
Sec. 4306. Departmental accountability for development.
Sec. 4307. Deadlines under new proposed integrated activity plan.
Sec. 4308. Updated resource assessment.
Subtitle D—BLM Live Internet Auctions
Sec. 4401. Short title.
Sec. 4402. Internet-based onshore oil and gas lease sales.
Subtitle E—Native American Energy
Sec. 4501. Short title.
Sec. 4502. Appraisals.
Sec. 4503. Standardization.
Sec. 4504. Environmental reviews of major Federal actions on Indian lands.
Sec. 4505. Judicial review.
Sec. 4506. Tribal biomass demonstration project.
Sec. 4507. Tribal resource management plans.
Sec. 4508. Leases of restricted lands for the Navajo Nation.
Sec. 4509. Nonapplicability of certain rules.
Sec. 4510. Permits for incidental take.
Sec. 4511. Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Title XIV—Hydraulic Fracturing
Subtitle A—State Authority for Hydraulic Fracturing Regulation
Sec. 5101. Short title.
Sec. 5102. State authority for hydraulic fracturing regulation.
Sec. 5103. Government Accountability Office study.
Sec. 5104. Tribal authority on trust land.
Subtitle B—EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Research
Sec. 5201. Short title.
Sec. 5202. EPA hydraulic fracturing research.
Subtitle C—Miscellaneous provisions
Sec. 5301. Review of State activities.
Title XV—Northern Route Approval
Sec. 6001. Short title.
Sec. 6002. Findings.
Sec. 6003. Keystone XL permit approval.
Sec. 6004. Judicial review.
Sec. 6005. American burying beetle.
Sec. 6006. Right-of-way and temporary use permit.
Sec. 6007. Permits for activities in navigable waters.
Sec. 6008. Migratory Bird Treaty Act permit.
Sec. 6009. Oil spill response plan disclosure.
Title XVI—Relief from EPA climate change regulations and Federal prohibitions on synthetic fuels
Sec. 7001. Repeal of EPA climate change regulation.
Sec. 7002. Repeal of Federal ban on synthetic fuels purchasing requirement.
Sec. 7003. Sense of Congress opposing carbon tax.
Sec. 7004. Prohibition on use of social cost of carbon in analysis.
Title XVII—Addressing the President’s War on Coal
Subtitle A—Management and disposal of coal combustion residuals
Sec. 8001. Short title.
Sec. 8002. Management and disposal of coal combustion residuals.
Sec. 8003. 2000 regulatory determination.
Sec. 8004. Technical assistance.
Sec. 8005. Federal Power Act.
Subtitle B—Surface Mining Stream Buffer Zone Rule
Sec. 8011. Short title.
Sec. 8012. Incorporation of surface mining stream buffer zone rule into State programs.
Title XVIII—Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment
Sec. 9001. Short title.
Sec. 9002. Inapplicability of certain emission limits for electric utility steam generating units
that convert coal refuse into energy.
Title XIX—Nuclear Regulatory Commission Reorganization Plan Codification and Complements
Sec. 10001. Short title.
Subtitle A—Replacement of Reorganization Plan
Sec. 10011. General functions.
Sec. 10012. Chairman.
Sec. 10013. Emergency authority.
Sec. 10014. Reporting.
Sec. 10015. Rescission of Reorganization Plan approval.
Subtitle B—Miscellaneous
Sec. 10021. Certification of documents transmitted to Congress.
Sec. 10022. Time limits for Commission review of Atomic Safety and Licensing Board decisions.
Sec. 10023. Allegations of wrongdoing.
Sec. 10024. Approval of Commissioner travel.
Sec. 10025. Implementation.
Title XX—Permitting for onshore and offshore wind energy
Subtitle A—Offshore meteorological site testing and monitoring
Sec. 11001. Short title.
Sec. 11002. Offshore meteorological site testing and monitoring projects.
Subtitle B—Onshore meteorological site testing and monitoring
Sec. 11011. Short title.
Sec. 11012. Onshore meteorological site testing and monitoring project.
Title XXI—Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom
Sec. 12001. Short title.
Sec. 12002. Amendments.
Sec. 12003. Pending applications.
Division IV—Access to Capital
Title XXII—Small Business Access to Capital
Sec. 13001. Registration and reporting exemptions relating to private equity funds advisors.
Title XXIII—Community Lending Enhancement and Regulatory Relief
Sec. 14001. Changes required to small bank holding company policy statement on assessment of
financial and managerial factors.
Sec. 14002. Escrow requirements.
Sec. 14003. Exception to annual privacy notice requirement under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
Sec. 14004. Accounting principles cost-benefit requirements.
Sec. 14005. Community bank exemption from annual management assessment of internal controls
requirement of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Sec. 14006. Certain loans included as qualified mortgages.
Sec. 14007. Increase in small servicer exemption.
Sec. 14008. Appraiser qualification threshold.
Sec. 14009. Coordination among financial institutions.
I
Labor
I
Repeal of Davis-Bacon Act
101.
Repeal of Davis-Bacon wage requirements
(a)
In general
Subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code, is repealed.
(b)
Reference
Any reference in any law to a wage requirement of subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United
States Code, shall after the date of the enactment of this title be null
and void.
102.
Effective date and limitation
The amendment made by section 101 shall take effect 30 days after the date of the enactment of this
title but shall not affect any contract in existence on such date of
enactment or made pursuant to invitation for bids outstanding on such date
of enactment.
II
Union contract not a bar to higher wages
201.
Payment of higher wages
Section 9(a) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159(a)) is amended—
(1) by striking Representatives and inserting (1) Representatives; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
(2) Notwithstanding a labor organization’s exclusive representation of employees in a unit, or the
terms and conditions of any collective bargaining contract or agreement
then in effect, nothing in either—
(A) section 8(a)(1) or 8(a)(5), or
(B) a collective bargaining contract or agreement renewed or entered into after the date of enactment
of the Jumpstarting Opportunities with Bold Solutions Act,
shall prohibit an employer from paying an employee in the unit greater wages, pay, or other
compensation for, or by reason of, his or her services as an employee of
such employer, than provided for in such contract or agreement.
.
III
Repeal of provisions relating to official time of Federal employees for purposes of union
organizing
301.
Repeal of certain provisions relating to official time of Federal employees for purposes of union
organizing
Section 7131 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by striking subsections (a) and (c);
(2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (d) as subsections (a) and (b), respectively; and
(3) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated by paragraph (2)), by striking Except as provided in the preceding subsections of this section— and inserting Except as provided in subsection (a)—.
IV
Rulemaking, investigative, and adjudicative authority of the National Labor Relations Board
401.
Authorities of the National Labor Relations Board
(a)
Duties of the General Counsel and Administrative Law Judges
The National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) is amended—
(1) in section 3(d), by striking and issuance of complaints under section 10, and in respect of the prosecution of such complaints
before the Board; and
(2) in section 4(a), by striking the fourth sentence.
(b)
Clarification of the Board’s rulemaking authority
Section 6 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 156) is amended by adding at the end the following: Such rulemaking authority shall be limited to rules concerning the internal functions of the Board
and the Board is prohibited from promulgating rules that affect the
substantive rights of any person, employer, employee, or labor
organization..
(c)
Investigatory power and Adjudicatory Authority Over Unfair Labor Practice Allegations
Section 10 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 60) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) by striking prevent any person from engaging in and inserting investigate; and
(B) by striking This power shall and all that follows through the end of the subsection;
(2) in subsection (b)—
(A) by striking Whenever it is charged and inserting Whenever it appears;
(B) by striking or is engaging in and inserting , is engaging in, or is about to engage in;
(C) by striking the Board, or any agent and all that follows through Provided, That no complaint shall be issued and inserting the aggrieved party may bring a civil action for such relief (including injunctions) as may be
appropriate. Any such action may be brought in the district court of the
United States where the violation occurred, or at the option of the
parties, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
No civil action may be brought;
(D) by striking charge with the Board and the service of a copy thereof upon the person against whom such charge is
made and inserting civil action; and
(E) by striking Any such complaint may be amended and all that follows through Any such proceeding shall, so far as practicable, and inserting Any such proceeding shall;
(3) by striking subsections (c) through (k) and redesignating subsection (l) as subsection (c); and
(4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)—
(A) by striking Whenever it is charged and inserting Whenever it is alleged;
(B) in the first sentence, by striking charge both places it appears and inserting allegation; and
(C) by striking and that a complaint should issue, he shall and all that follows through the end of the subsection and inserting , the officer or regional attorney shall, on behalf of the Board, submit a written summary of the
findings to all parties involved in the alleged unfair labor practice..
402.
Regulations
Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this title, the National Labor Relations
Board shall review and revise all regulations promulgated before such date
to implement the amendments made by this title.
II
Deregulation
V
Uniform cost-benefit analysis of regulations
501.
Uniform use of cost-benefit analysis
Section 553 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(f)
(1) Prior to any rulemaking under this section, an agency shall comply with the following:
(A) The agency shall identify, in the context of a coherent conceptual framework and supported with
objective data—
(i) the nature and significance of the market failure, regulatory failure, or other problem that
necessitates regulatory action;
(ii) the reasons why national economic and income growth, advancing technology, and other market
developments will not obviate the need for the rulemaking;
(iii) the reasons why regulation at the State, local, or tribal level could not address the problem
better than at the Federal level;
(iv) the reasons why reducing rather than increasing the extent or stringency of existing Federal
regulation would not address the problem better; and
(v) the particular authority by which the agency may take action.
(B) Before the agency increases the extent or stringency of regulation based on its determinations
pursuant to subparagraph (A), it shall—
(i) set an achievable objective for its regulatory action and identify the metrics by which the agency
will measure progress toward the objective;
(ii) issue a notice of inquiry seeking public comment on the identification of a new objective under
clause (i); and
(iii) give notice to the committees of Congress with jurisdiction over the subject matter of the rule.
(C) The agency, if the agency is not seeking to repeal a rule, shall develop at least 3 distinct
regulatory options, in addition to not regulating, that the agency
estimates will provide the greatest benefits for the least cost in meeting
the regulatory objective set under subparagraph (B) and, in developing
such regulatory options, shall apply the following principles:
(i) The agency shall assume that individuals are rational and not qualify that assumption unless the
agency—
(I) has conclusive evidence of a detrimental systematic behavioral bias; and
(II) can devise behavioral regulatory options that do not preclude any choices of market participants.
(ii) The agency shall, to the extent practicable, attempt to engage private incentives to solve a
problem and not supplant private incentives any more than necessary.
(iii) The agency shall consider the adverse effects that mandates and prohibitions may have on
innovation, economic growth, and employment.
(iv) An agency’s risk assessment shall be confined to its jurisdiction, subject to specific regulatory
authority. Agency assessments of the risks of adverse health and
environmental effects shall follow standardized parameters, assumptions,
and methodologies. An agency also shall provide analyses of increases in
risks, whatever their nature, produced by the regulatory options under
consideration.
(v) The agency shall avoid incongruities and duplication in regulation at the Federal, State, local,
and tribal levels.
(vi) The agency shall compare and contrast the regulatory options developed and explain how each would
meet the regulatory objective set pursuant to subparagraph (B).
(D) The agency shall estimate the costs and benefits of each regulatory option developed,
notwithstanding any provision of law that prohibits the agency from using
costs in rulemaking, at least to the extent that the agency is able to—
(i) exclude options whose costs exceed their benefits;
(ii) rank the options by cost from lowest to highest;
(iii) estimate the monetary cost of any adverse effects on private property rights, identify the
categories of persons who experience a net loss from a regulatory option,
and explain why the negative effects cannot be lessened or avoided;
(iv) establish whether the cost of an option exceeds $50,000,000 for any 12-month period, except that
the dollar amount shall be adjusted annually for inflation based on the
GDP deflator, and the President may order that a lower dollar amount be
used for a particular period; and
(v) identify the key uncertainties and assumptions that drive the results and provide an analysis of
how the ranking of the options and the threshold determination under
clause (iv) may change if key assumptions are changed.
(E) The estimates pursuant to subparagraph (D) shall—
(i) follow the methodology established pursuant to paragraph (2)(A);
(ii) to the maximum extent practicable, comply with any guidelines issued by the Administrator of the
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs pertaining to cost-benefit
analysis; and
(iii) include, at a minimum—
(I) agency administrative costs;
(II) United States private sector compliance costs;
(III) Federal, State, local, and tribal compliance costs;
(IV) Federal, State, local, and tribal revenue impacts;
(V) impacts from the regulatory options developed on United States industries in the role of suppliers
and consumers to each industry substantially affected, especially in terms
of employment, costs, volume and quality of output, and prices;
(VI) nationwide impacts on overall economic output, productivity, consumer and producer prices;
(VII) international competitiveness of United States companies; and
(VIII) distortions in incentives and markets, including an estimate of the resulting loss to the United
States economy.
(F) The agency shall publish for public comment all analyses, documentation, and data under
subparagraphs (A) through (D) for a public comment period of at least 30
days (subject to applicable limitations under law, including laws
protecting privacy, trade secrets, and intellectual property) and correct
deficiencies or omissions that the agency becomes aware of before choosing
a rule to propose.
(2)
(A) Beginning not later than the date that is 180 days after the effective date of this section—
(i) each agency shall, by rule, establish and maintain the specific cost-benefit analysis methodology
appropriate to the functions and responsibilities of that agency and
establish an appropriate period for review of new rules to assess the cost
effectiveness of each such new rule at achieving the objective identified
under paragraph (1)(B)(i) the new rule was intended to address;
(ii) the methodology so established shall—
(I) include the standardized parameters, assumptions, and methodologies for agency assessments of risk
under paragraph (1)(C)(iv);
(II) comply, to the maximum extent practicable, with technical standards for methodologies and
assumptions issued by the Administrator for the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs;
(III) include the scope of benefits and costs consistent with the framework used and the metrics
identified in the establishment of the regulatory objective under
paragraph (1);
(IV) not include consideration of incidental benefits but only those benefits that were considered in
the establishment of the regulatory objective;
(V) limit consideration of costs and benefits to costs and benefits that accrue to the population of
the United States;
(VI) constrain the agency from presuming that continued augmentation or tightening of mandates and
additional prohibitions cause benefits and costs to change linearly but
determine at what point benefits will rise less than, and costs will rise
more than, proportionally;
(VII) include comparison of incremental benefits to incremental costs from any action the agency
considers taking and refrain from actions whose incremental benefits do
not exceed their incremental costs; and
(VIII) include analysis of effects on private incentives and possible unintended consequences; and
(iii) the agency shall adhere to the methodology so established in all rulemakings.
(B) If the agency does not select the least-cost regulatory option as its proposed rule, the agency
shall justify its selection, explaining—
(i) how that selection furthers other goals or requirements relevant to regulating matters within the
agency’s jurisdiction and why these should override cost savings; and
(ii) why each of the other regulatory options not chosen would not sufficiently further such other goals
or requirements.
(C) If the agency makes a determination under paragraph (1)(D) that the monetized cost of a rule
exceeds the applicable monetary limit under clause (iv) of such paragraph
for any 12-month period, the agency head shall—
(i) first issue an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking;
(ii) provide notice to the appropriate Congressional committees and keep such committees informed of the
status of the rulemaking; and
(iii) ensure that—
(I) the agency shall notify the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget, and affected parties, and provide each
such person with information on the potential effects of the proposed rule
on affected parties and the type of affected parties that might be
affected;
(II) not later than 15 days after the date of receipt of the materials described in subclause (I), the
Director, in consultation with the Administrator, shall identify
representatives of affected parties, 25 percent of which shall represent
small business concerns (as such term is defined in section 3(a) of the
Small Business Act), when possible, and all the major stakeholders shall
have the opportunity to obtain advice and recommendations about the
potential effects of the proposed rule;
(III) the agency shall convene a review panel consisting wholly of full-time Federal officers, employees,
and contractors in the agency responsible for the proposed rule, the
Director, the Administrator, and the representatives of affected parties
identified pursuant to subclause (II);
(IV) the agency shall conduct a detailed analysis of the costs and benefits of the regulatory option it
is advancing, and, in doing so—
(aa) the agency shall consider the cumulative and interactive costs of regulatory requirements of
Federal, State, local, tribal, and (where applicable) international
regulations; and
(bb) the agency shall identify the key uncertainties and assumptions that drive the results and provide
an analysis of how the ranking of the regulatory options changes if the
key assumptions are changed;
(V) the panel shall review agency material prepared in connection with this subsection, including any
draft proposed rule, and review the advice and recommendations of each
affected party representative identified;
(VI) not later than 60 days after the date the agency convenes a review panel pursuant to subclause
(III), the review panel shall report on the comments of the affected party
representatives and its findings as to issues related to the provisions of
this subsection, and such report shall be made public as part of the
rulemaking record;
(VII) where appropriate, the agency shall modify the proposed rule or the cost-benefit analysis under
subclause (IV) based on the report under subclause (VI);
(VIII) subject to applicable limitations under law, including laws protecting privacy, trade secrets, and
intellectual property, the agency shall publish for comment all analyses,
documentation, and data under this paragraph for a public comment period
of at least 30 days and correct deficiencies or omissions that the agency
becomes aware of before adopting a proposed rule; and
(IX) affected parties, including State, local, or tribal governments, and other stakeholders may
participate in the rulemaking by means such as—
(aa) the publication of advanced and general notices of proposed rulemaking in publications likely to be
obtained by affected parties;
(bb) the direct notification of interested affected parties;
(cc) the conduct of open conferences or public hearings including soliciting and receiving comments over
computer networks; and
(dd) reducing the cost or complexity of procedural rules to ease participation in the rulemaking.
(D) Every 4 years the agency shall conduct a review of all rules of the agency in effect and determine
based on objective data whether its rules are working as intended,
furthering their objectives, imposing unanticipated costs, and generating
a net benefit or not, and shall amend such rules if appropriate. The
agency shall report to Congress the findings of each such review.
(E) Any person may petition an agency to amend an existing rule made prior to the establishment of
methodology under this paragraph, and, if the agency denies such a
petition, that denial shall be subject to review under chapter 7 of this
title.
(F) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including any provision of law that explicitly
prohibits the use of cost-benefit analysis in rulemaking, an agency shall
conduct cost-benefit analyses and report to Congress the findings with
specific recommendations for how to lower regulatory costs by amending the
statutes prohibiting the use thereof.
(3) For purposes of this subsection—
(A) the term regulatory options means any action an agency may take to address an objective identified under paragraph (1)(B)(i),
including the option not to act;
(B) the term private incentives means financial gains or losses that motivate actions by private individuals and businesses, and
does not include any law or regulation that prescribes private actions or
outcomes; and
(C) the term incidental benefit means a claimed benefit outside the specific regulatory objective or objectives identified under
paragraph (1)(B)(i) a rule is intended to address as identified in
paragraph (1)(A).
(4) All determinations made under this subsection shall be subject to review under chapter 7.
.
502.
Congressional review
Section 801(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(C) The Comptroller General shall examine the cost-benefit analysis for compliance with the
requirements of section 553(f), including the agency methodology
established under section 553(f)(2)(A).
(D) The Comptroller General shall examine any risk analysis under section 553(f)(1)(C)(iv) pertaining
to the cost-benefit analysis for compliance with the requirements of
section 553(f).
(E) The Comptroller General also shall examine the agencies’ quadrennial regulatory reviews for
consistency with the requirements of section 553(f) and report to Congress
on the results.
.
VI
Periodic review and termination of regulations
601.
Review of regulations
A covered rule shall be subject to review in accordance with this title. Upon completion of such
review, the agency which has jurisdiction over such rule shall—
(1) issue a final report under section 406(c)(2) continuing such rule, or
(2) conduct a rulemaking in accordance with section 406(d) to modify, consolidate with another rule, or
terminate such rule.
602.
Rules covered
(a)
Covered rules
For purposes of this title, a covered rule is a rule that—
(1) is determined by the Administrator to be a significant rule under subsection (b); or
(2) is any other rule designated by the agency which has jurisdiction over such rule or the
Administrator under this title for sunset review.
(b)
Significant rules
For purposes of this title, a significant rule is a rule that the Administrator determines—
(1) has resulted in or is likely to result in an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more;
(2) is a major rule; or
(3) was issued pursuant to a significant regulatory action, as that term is defined in Executive Order
12866 (as in effect on the first date that Executive order was in effect).
(c)
Public petitions
(1)
In general
Any person adversely affected by a rule that is not a significant rule may submit a petition to the
agency which has jurisdiction over the rule requesting that such agency
designate the rule for sunset review. Such agency shall designate the rule
for sunset review unless such agency determines that it would not be in
the public interest to conduct a sunset review of the rule. In making such
determination, such agency shall take into account the number and nature
of other petitions received on the same rule and whether or not such
petitions have been denied.
(2)
Form and content of petition
A petition under paragraph (1)—
(A) shall be in writing, but is not otherwise required to be in any particular form; and
(B) shall identify the rule for which sunset review is requested with reasonable specificity and state
on its face that the petitioner seeks sunset review of the rule.
(3)
Response required for noncomplying petitions
If an agency determines that a petition does not meet the requirements of this subsection, the
agency shall provide a response to the petitioner within 30 days after
receiving the petition, notifying the petitioner of the problem and
providing information on how to formulate a petition that meets those
requirements.
(4)
Decision within 90 days
Within the 90-day period beginning on the date of receiving a petition that meets the requirements
of this subsection, the agency shall transmit a response to the petitioner
stating whether the petition was granted or denied, except that the agency
may extend such period by a total of not more than 30 days.
(5)
Petitions deemed granted for substantial inexcusable delay
A petition for sunset review of a rule is deemed to have been granted by an agency, and such agency
is deemed to have designated the rule for sunset review, if a court finds
there is a substantial and inexcusable delay, beyond the period specified
in paragraph (4), in notifying the petitioner of the agency’s
determination to grant or deny the petition.
(6)
Public log
Each agency shall maintain a public log of petitions submitted under this subsection, that includes
the status or disposition of each petition.
(d)
Congressional requests
(1)
In general
An appropriate committee of the Congress, or a majority of the majority party members or a majority
of nonmajority party members of such committee, may request in writing
that the Administrator designate any rule that is not a significant rule
for sunset review. The Administrator shall designate such rule for sunset
review within 30 days after receipt of such request unless the
Administrator determines that it would not be in the public interest to
conduct a sunset review of such rule.
(2)
Notice of denial
If the Administrator denies a congressional request under this subsection, the Administrator shall
transmit to the congressional committee making the request a notice
stating the reasons for the denial.
(e)
Publication of notice of designation for sunset review
After designating a rule under subsection (c) or (d) for sunset review, the agency or the
Administrator shall promptly publish a notice of that designation in the
Federal Register.
603.
Criteria for sunset review
(a)
Compliance with other laws
In order for any rule subject to sunset review to continue without change or to be modified or
consolidated in accordance with this title, such rule must be authorized
by law and meet all applicable requirements that would apply if it were
issued as a new rule pursuant to section 553 of title 5, United States
Code, or other statutory rulemaking procedures required for that rule. For
purposes of this section, the term applicable requirements includes any requirement for cost-benefit analysis and any requirement for standardized risk
analysis and risk assessment.
(b)
Governing law
If there is a conflict between applicable requirements and an Act under which a rule was issued,
the conflict shall be resolved in the same manner as such conflict would
be resolved if the agency were issuing a new rule.
604.
Sunset review procedures
(a)
Functions of the administrator
(1)
Notice of rules subject to review
(A)
Inventory and first list
Within 6 months after the date of the enactment of this title, the Administrator shall conduct an
inventory of existing rules and publish a first list of covered rules. The
list shall—
(i) specify the particular group to which each significant rule is assigned under paragraph (2), and
state the review deadline for all significant rules in each such group;
and
(ii) include other rules subject to sunset review for any other reason, and state the review deadline
for each such rule.
(B)
Subsequent lists
After publication of the first list under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall publish an
updated list of covered rules at least annually, specifying the review
deadline for each rule on the list.
(2)
Grouping of significant rules in first list
(A)
Staggered review
The Administrator shall assign each significant rule in effect on the date of enactment of this
title to one of 4 groups established by the Administrator to permit
orderly and prioritized sunset reviews, and specify for each group an
initial review deadline in accordance with section 405(a)(1).
(B)
Prioritizations
In determining which rules shall be given priority in time in that assignment, the Administrator
shall consult with appropriate agencies, and shall prioritize rule based
on—
(i) the grouping of related rules in accordance with paragraph (3);
(ii) the extent of the cost of each rule and on the regulated community and the public, with priority in
time given to those rules that impose the greatest cost;
(iii) consideration of the views of regulated persons, including State and local governments;
(iv) whether a particular rule has recently been subject to cost-benefit analysis and risk assessment,
with priority in time given to those rules that have not been subject to
such analysis and assessment;
(v) whether a particular rule was issued under a statutory provision that provides relatively greater
discretion to an official in issuing the rule, with priority in time given
to those rules that were issued under provisions that provide relatively
greater discretion;
(vi) the burden of reviewing each rule on the reviewing agency; and
(vii) the need for orderly processing and the timely completion of the sunset reviews of existing rules.
(3)
Grouping of related rules
The Administrator shall group related rules under paragraph (2) (and designate other rules) for
simultaneous sunset review based upon their subject matter similarity,
functional interrelationships, and other relevant factors to ensure
comprehensive and coordinated review of redundant, overlapping, and
conflicting rules and requirements. The Administrator shall ensure
simultaneous sunset reviews of covered rules without regard to whether
they were issued by the same agency, and shall designate any other rule
for sunset review that is necessary for a comprehensive sunset review
whether or not such other rule is otherwise a covered rule under this
title.
(4)
Guidance
The Administrator shall provide timely guidance to agencies on the conduct of sunset reviews and
the preparation of sunset review notices and reports required by this
title to ensure uniform, complete, and timely sunset reviews and to ensure
notice and opportunity for public comment consistent with section 406.
(5)
Review and evaluation of reports
The Administrator shall review and evaluate each preliminary and final report submitted by the
agency pursuant to this section. Within 90 days after receiving a
preliminary report, the Administrator shall transmit comments to the head
of the agency regarding—
(A) the quality of the analysis in the report, including whether the agency has properly applied
section 403;
(B) the consistency of the agency’s proposed action with actions of other agencies; and
(C) whether the rule should be continued without change, modified, consolidated with another rule, or
terminated.
(b)
Agency sunset review procedure
(1)
Sunset review notice
At least 30 months before the review deadline under section 405(a) for a covered rule issued by an
agency, the agency shall—
(A) publish a sunset review notice in accordance with section 406(a) in the Federal Register and, to
the extent reasonable and practicable, in other publications or media that
are designed to reach those persons most affected by the covered rule; and
(B) request the views of the Administrator and the appropriate committees of the Congress on whether to
continue without change, modify, consolidate, or terminate the covered
rule.
(2)
Preliminary report
In reviewing a covered rule, the agency shall—
(A) consider public comments and other recommendations generated by a sunset review notice under
paragraph (1); and
(B) at least 1 year before the review deadline under section 405(a) for the covered rule, publish in
the Federal Register, in accordance with section 406(b), and transmit to
the Administrator and the appropriate committees of the Congress a
preliminary report.
(3)
Final report
The agency shall consider the public comments and other recommendations generated by the
preliminary report under paragraph (2) for a covered rule, and shall
consult with the appropriate committees of the Congress before issuing a
final report. At least 90 days before the review deadline of the covered
rule, the agency shall publish in the Federal Register, in accordance with
section 406(c)(2) or 406(d), and transmit a final report to the
Administrator and the appropriate committees of the Congress.
(4)
Open procedures regarding sunset review
In any sunset review conducted pursuant to this title, the agency conducting the review shall make
a written record describing the subject of all contacts the agency or
Administrator made with non-governmental persons outside the agency
relating to such review. The written record of such contact shall be made
available, upon request, to the public.
(c)
Effectiveness of agency recommendation
If a final report under subsection (b)(3) recommends that a covered rule should be continued
without change, the covered rule shall be continued. If a final report
under subsection (b)(3) recommends that a covered rule should be modified,
consolidated with another rule, or terminated, the rule may be modified,
so consolidated, or terminated in accordance with section 406(d).
(d)
Preservation of independence of federal bank regulatory agencies
The head of any appropriate Federal banking agency (as that term is defined in section 3(q) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(q))), the Federal Housing
Finance Board, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Office of
Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight shall have the authority with respect
to that agency that would otherwise be granted under section 405(a)(2)(B)
to the Administrator or other officer designated by the President.
605.
Review deadlines for covered rules
(a)
In general
For purposes of this title, the review deadline of a covered rule is as follows:
(1)
Existing significant rules
For a significant rule in effect on the date of the enactment of this title, the initial review
deadline is the last day of the 4-year, 5-year, 6-year, or 7-year period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this title, as specified by the
Administrator under section 404(a)(2)(A). For any significant rule that 6
months after the date of enactment is not assigned to such a group
specified under section 404(a)(2)(A), the initial review deadline is the
last day of the 4-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this
title.
(2)
New significant rules
For a significant rule that first takes effect after the date of the enactment of this title, the
initial review deadline is the last day of either—
(A) the 3-year period beginning on the date the rule takes effect, or
(B) if the Administrator determines as part of the rulemaking process that the rule is issued pursuant
to negotiated rulemaking procedures or that compliance with the rule
requires substantial capital investment, the 7-year period beginning on
the date the rule takes effect.
(3)
Rules covered pursuant to public petition or congressional request
For any rule subject to sunset review pursuant to a public petition under section 402(c) or a
congressional request under section 402(d), the initial review deadline is
the last day of the 3-year period beginning on—
(A) the date the agency or Administrator so designates the rule for review; or
(B) the date of issuance of a final court order that the agency is deemed to have designated the rule
for sunset review.
(4)
Related rule designated for review
For a rule that the Administrator designates under section 404(a)(3) for sunset review because it
is related to another covered rule and that is grouped with that other
rule for simultaneous review, the initial review deadline is the same as
the review deadline for that other rule.
(b)
Temporary extension
The review deadline under subsection (a) for a covered rule may be extended by the Administrator
for not more than 6 months by publishing notice thereof in the Federal
Register that describes reasons why the temporary extension is necessary
to respond to or prevent an emergency situation.
(c)
Determinations where rules have been amended
For purposes of this title, if various provisions of a covered rule were issued at different times,
then the rule as a whole shall be treated as if it were issued on the
later of—
(1) the date of issuance of the provision of the rule that was issued first; or
(2) the date the most recent review and revision of the rule under this title was completed.
606.
Sunset review notices and agency reports
(a)
Sunset review notices
The sunset review notice under section 404(b)(1) for a rule shall—
(1) request comments regarding whether the rule should be continued without change, modified,
consolidated with another rule, or terminated;
(2) if applicable, request comments regarding whether the rule meets the applicable Federal
cost-benefit and risk assessment criteria; and
(3) solicit comments about the past implementation and effects of the rule, including—
(A) the direct and indirect costs incurred because of the rule, including the net reduction in the
value of private property (whether real, personal, tangible, or
intangible), and whether the incremental benefits of the rule exceeded the
incremental costs of the rule, both generally and regarding each of the
specific industries and sectors it covers;
(B) whether the rule as a whole, or any major feature of it, is outdated, obsolete, or unnecessary,
whether by change of technology, the marketplace, or otherwise;
(C) the extent to which the rule or information required to comply with the rule duplicated,
conflicted, or overlapped with requirements under rules of other agencies;
(D) in the case of a rule addressing a risk to health or safety or the environment, what the perceived
risk was at the time of issuance and to what extent the risk predictions
were accurate;
(E) whether the rule unnecessarily impeded domestic or international competition or unnecessarily
intruded on free market forces, and whether the rule unnecessarily
interfered with opportunities or efforts to transfer to the private sector
duties carried out by the Government;
(F) whether, and to what extent, the rule imposed unfunded mandates on, or otherwise affected, State
and local governments;
(G) whether compliance with the rule required substantial capital investment and whether terminating
the rule on the next review deadline would create an unfair advantage to
those who are not in compliance with it;
(H) whether the rule constituted the least cost method of achieving its objective consistent with the
criteria of the Act under which the rule was issued, and to what extent
the rule provided flexibility to those who were subject to it;
(I) whether the rule was worded simply and clearly, including clear identification of those who were
subject to the rule;
(J) whether the rule created negative unintended consequences;
(K) the extent to which information requirements under the rule can be reduced; and
(L) the extent to which the rule has contributed positive benefits, particularly health or safety or
environmental benefits.
(b)
Preliminary reports on sunset reviews
The preliminary report under section 404(b)(2) on the sunset review of a rule shall request public
comments and contain—
(1) specific requests for factual findings and recommended legal conclusions regarding the application
of section 403 to the rule, the continued need for the rule, and whether
the rule duplicates functions of another rule;
(2) a request for comments on whether the rule should be continued without change, modified,
consolidated with another rule, or terminated; and
(3) if consolidation or modification of the rule is recommended, suggestions for the proposed text of
the consolidated or modified rule.
(c)
Final reports on sunset reviews
The report under section 404(b)(3) on the sunset review of a rule shall—
(1) contain the factual findings and legal conclusions of the agency conducting the review regarding
the application of section 403 to the rule and the agency’s proposed
recommendation as to whether the rule should be continued without change,
modified, consolidated with another rule, or terminated;
(2) in the case of a rule that the agency proposes to continue without change, so state;
(3) in the case of a rule that the agency proposes to modify or consolidate with another rule, contain—
(A) a notice of proposed rulemaking under section 553 of title 5, United States Code or under other
statutory rulemaking procedures required for that rule; and
(B) the text of the rule as so modified or consolidated; and
(4) in the case of a rule that the agency proposes to terminate, contain a notice of proposed
rulemaking for termination consistent with paragraph (3)(A).
A final report described in paragraph (2) shall be published in the Federal Register.
(d)
Rulemaking
The final report under subsection (c)(3) or (c)(4) shall be published in the Federal Register and
its publication shall constitute publication of the notice required by
subsection (c)(3)(A). After publication of the final report under
subsection (c)(3) or (c)(4) on a sunset review of a rule, the agency which
conducted such review shall conduct the rulemaking which is called for in
such report.
(e)
Legislative recommendations
In any case in which the head of an agency determines that a rule in a final report under
subsection (c)(3) or (c)(4) cannot be changed, modified, or consolidated
with another rule without legislative action, such head shall include in
such final report a description of what legislative changes are required
to implement the recommendations in such final report with regard to such
rule.
607.
Designation of agency regulatory review officers
The head of each agency shall designate an officer of the agency as the Regulatory Review Officer
of the agency. The Regulatory Review Officer of an agency shall be
responsible for the implementation of this title by the agency and shall
report directly to the head of the agency and the Administrator with
respect to that responsibility.
608.
Relationship to the Administrative Procedure Act
Nothing in this title is intended to supersede the provisions of chapters 5, 6, and 7 of title 5,
United States Code.
609.
Effect of termination of a covered rule
(a)
Effect of termination, generally
If a covered rule is terminated pursuant to this title—
(1) this title shall not be construed to prevent the President or an agency from exercising any
authority that otherwise exists to implement the statute under which the
rule was issued;
(2) in an agency proceeding or court action between an agency and a non-agency party, the rule shall be
given no conclusive legal effect but may be submitted as evidence of prior
agency practice and procedure; and
(3) this title shall not be construed to prevent the continuation or institution of any enforcement
action that is based on a violation of the rule that occurred before the
effectiveness of the rule terminated.
(b)
Effect on deadlines
(1)
In general
Notwithstanding subsection (a), any deadline for, relating to, or involving any action dependent
upon, any rule terminated under this title is suspended until the agency
that issued the rule issues a new rule on the same matter, unless
otherwise provided by a law.
(2)
Deadline defined
In this subsection, the term deadline means any date certain for fulfilling any obligation or exercising any authority established by or
under any Federal rule, or by or under any court order implementing any
Federal rule.
610.
Judicial review
(a)
In general
A denial or substantial inexcusable delay in granting or denying a petition under section 402(c)
shall be considered final agency action subject to review under section
702 of title 5, United States Code. A denial of a congressional request
under section 402(d) shall not be subject to judicial review.
(b)
Time limitation on filing a civil action
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, an action seeking judicial review of a final agency
action under this title may not be brought—
(1) in the case of a final agency action denying a public petition under section 402(c) or continuing
without change, modifying, consolidating, or terminating a covered rule,
more than 30 days after the date of that agency action; or
(2) in the case of an action challenging a delay in deciding on a petition for a rule under section
402(c), more than 1 year after the period applicable to the rule under
section 402(c)(4).
(c)
Availability of judicial review unaffected
Except to the extent that there is a direct conflict with the provisions of this title, nothing in
this title is intended to affect the availability or standard of judicial
review for agency regulatory action.
611.
Definitions
In this title, the following definitions apply:
(1)
Administrator
The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Office of
Management and Budget.
(2)
Agency
The term agency has the meaning given that term in section 551(1) of title 5, United States Code.
(3)
Appropriate committee of the congress
The term appropriate committee of the Congress means, with respect to a rule, each standing committee of Congress having authority under the
Rules of the House of Representatives or the Senate to report a bill to
amend the provision of law under which the rule is issued.
(4)
Major rule
The term major rule means any rule that the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the
Office of Management and Budget finds has resulted in or is likely to
result in—
(A) an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more;
(B) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local
government agencies, or geographic regions; or
(C) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on
the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with
foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets.
(5)
Rule
(A)
General rule
Subject to subparagraph (B), the term rule means any agency statement of general applicability and future effect, including agency guidance
documents, designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy,
or describing the procedures or practices of an agency, or intended to
assist in such actions, but does not include—
(i) regulations or other agency statements issued in accordance with formal rulemaking provisions of
sections 556 and 557 of title 5, United States Code, or in accordance with
other statutory formal rulemaking procedures required for such regulations
or statements;
(ii) regulations or other agency statements that are limited to agency organization, management, or
personnel matters;
(iii) regulations or other agency statements issued with respect to a military or foreign affairs
function of the United States;
(iv) regulations, statements, or other agency actions that are reviewed and usually modified each year
(or more frequently), or are reviewed regularly and usually modified based
on changing economic or seasonal conditions;
(v) regulations or other agency actions that grant an approval, license, permit, registration, or
similar authority or that grant or recognize an exemption or relieve a
restriction, or any agency action necessary to permit new or improved
applications of technology or to allow the manufacture, distribution,
sale, or use of a substance or product; and
(vi) regulations or other agency statements that the Administrator certifies in writing are necessary
for the enforcement of the Federal criminal laws.
(B)
Scope of a rule
For purposes of this title, each set of rules designated in the Code of Federal Regulations as a
part shall be treated as one rule. Each set of rules that do not appear in
the Code of Federal Regulations and that are comparable to a part of that
Code under guidelines established by the Administrator shall be treated as
one rule.
(6)
Sunset review
The term sunset review means a review of the rule under this title.
612.
Sunset of this title
This title shall have no force or effect after the 10-year period beginning on the date of the
enactment of this title.
VII
Regulation costs to small businesses and Grace period for regulatory violations
701.
Small Business Administration study on the cost of Federal regulations
(a)
In general
Beginning on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this title, and annually
thereafter, the Administrator shall conduct an annual study of the total
costs to small business concerns of Federal regulations and the amount
that such total costs have increased over the prior year.
(b)
Requirement
In conducting each study required under subsection (a), the Administrator shall use the best
available estimates of the costs and the benefits, disaggregated by the
agency issuing the regulation, of each major rule (as defined in section
804 of title 5, United States Code) made after the date of the study in
the prior year resulting in a net cost to small business concerns during
the period to which the report pertains, and of the cumulative costs of
such rules. Such estimates may include estimates produced under the terms
of Executive Order 12866.
(c)
Report
Not later than 90 days after completing a study required by this section, the Administrator shall
submit to the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate a
report on the findings of that study.
(d)
Funding
(1)
In general
The Administration shall carry out this section using unobligated funds otherwise made available to
the Administration.
(2)
Sense of congress regarding funding
It is the sense of Congress that no additional funds should be made available to the Administration
to carry out this title.
(e)
Definitions
In this section—
(1) the terms Administration and Administrator mean the Small Business Administration and the Administrator thereof, respectively; and
(2) the term small business concern has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).
702.
Grace period for regulatory violations
Section 558 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(d) Before any enforcement action is taken on any sanction on a business for any violation of a rule or
pursuant to an adjudication an agency shall—
(1) not later than 10 business days after the date on which the agency determines that a sanction may
be imposed on the business, provide notice to the business that, if the
business is a small business as defined in subsection (k), the small
business may be subject to a sanction at the end of the grace period
described in paragraph (3);
(2) delay any further action for a period of 15 calendar days;
(3) for any small business, defer any further action for a period of not less than 6 months, less the
15 days described in paragraph (2), which shall be extended by an
additional period of 3 months on application by the small business
demonstrating reasonable efforts made in good faith to remedy the
violation or other conduct giving rise to the sanction;
(4) make a further determination after the period described in paragraph (3) as to whether or not the
small business would still be subject to the sanction as of the end of
that period;
(5) if the determination under paragraph (4) is that the small business would not be subject to the
sanction, waive the sanction; and
(6) if notice is given more than 10 business days after the date on which the agency determines that a
sanction may be imposed on the business, and the agency determines that
the same sanction may have been imposed on the business 10 business days
prior to the date of the notice, that date of notice shall be the
effective date commencing the grace period described in paragraph (3).
(e) The grace period described by subsection (d) shall be applicable only once per business per rule,
but shall cover subsequent violations of the same rule until it expires.
(f) The grace period described by subsection (d) shall not apply to a violation that puts anyone in
imminent danger, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29
U.S.C. 662 et seq.).
(g) Nothing in subsection (d) shall be construed to prevent a small business from appealing any
sanction imposed in accordance with the procedures of the agency, or from
seeking review under chapter 7 of this title.
(h) Any sanction by an agency on a small business for any violation of a rule or pursuant to an
adjudication, absent proof of written notice of the sanction and the date
on which the agency determined that a sanction may be imposed, or in
violation of subsection (d)(3), shall be null and void.
(i) Federal agencies shall report annually to the Ombudsman on the utilization of this directive and
disclose the penalty mitigation for small businesses.
(j) The Ombudsman shall include in its annual report to Congress the agency reports described by
subsection (i) and a summary of the findings.
(k) For purposes of this section—
(1) term small business is defined as any sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or
other business entity, that—
(A) had less than $10,000,000 in gross receipts in the preceding calendar year;
(B) is considered a small-business concern as such term is defined pursuant to Section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a));
(C) employed fewer than 200 individuals in the preceding calendar year; or
(D) had CPI adjusted gross receipts of less than $10,000,000 in the preceding year;
(2) the term Ombudsman has the same meaning given such term in section 30(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
657(a));
(3) the term consumer price index means the consumer price index for all urban consumers published by the Department of Labor; and
(4) the term CPI adjusted gross receipts means the amount of gross receipts, divided by the consumer price index for calendar year 2012,
and multiplied by the consumer price index for the preceding calendar
year, rounded to the nearest multiple of $100,000 (or, if midway between
multiples of $100,000, to the next higher multiple of $100,000).
.
VIII
Major Rules of the Executive Branch Be Approved By Congress
801.
Congressional review of agency rulemaking
Chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
8
Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking
Sec.
801. Congressional review.
802. Congressional approval procedure for major rules.
803. Congressional disapproval procedure for nonmajor rules.
804. Definitions.
805. Judicial review.
806. Exemption for monetary policy.
807. Effective date of certain rules.
801.
Congressional review
(a)
(1)
(A) Before a rule may take effect, the Federal agency promulgating such rule shall submit to each House
of the Congress and to the Comptroller General a report containing—
(i) a copy of the rule;
(ii) a concise general statement relating to the rule;
(iii) a classification of the rule as a major or nonmajor rule, including an explanation of the
classification specifically addressing each criteria for a major rule
contained within clauses (i) through (iii) of section 804(2)(A) or within
section 804(2)(B);
(iv) a list of any other related regulatory actions taken by or that will be taken by the Federal agency
promulgating the rule that are intended to implement the same statutory
provision or regulatory objective as well as the individual and aggregate
economic effects of those actions;
(v) a list of any other related regulatory actions taken by or that will be taken by any other Federal
agency with authority to implement the same statutory provision or
regulatory objective that are intended to implement such provision or
objective, of which the Federal agency promulgating the rule is aware, as
well as the individual and aggregate economic effects of those actions;
and
(vi) the proposed effective date of the rule.
(B) On the date of the submission of the report under subparagraph (A), the Federal agency promulgating
the rule shall submit to the Comptroller General and make available to
each House of Congress—
(i) a complete copy of the cost-benefit analysis of the rule, if any, including an analysis of any jobs
added or lost, differentiating between public and private sector jobs;
(ii) the agency’s actions pursuant to sections 603, 604, 605, 607, and 609 of this title;
(iii) the agency’s actions pursuant to sections 202, 203, 204, and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act of 1995; and
(iv) any other relevant information or requirements under any other Act and any relevant Executive
orders.
(C) Upon receipt of a report submitted under subparagraph (A), each House shall provide copies of the
report to the chairman and ranking member of each standing committee with
jurisdiction under the rules of the House of Representatives or the Senate
to report a bill to amend the provision of law under which the rule is
issued.
(2)
(A) The Comptroller General shall provide a report on each major rule to the committees of jurisdiction
by the end of 15 calendar days after the submission or publication date.
The report of the Comptroller General shall include an assessment of the
agency’s compliance with procedural steps required by paragraph (1)(B) and
an assessment of whether the major rule imposes any new limits or mandates
on private-sector activity.
(B) Federal agencies shall cooperate with the Comptroller General by providing information relevant to
the Comptroller General’s report under subparagraph (A).
(3) A major rule relating to a report submitted under paragraph (1) shall take effect upon enactment of
a joint resolution of approval described in section 802 or as provided for
in the rule following enactment of a joint resolution of approval
described in section 802, whichever is later.
(4) A nonmajor rule shall take effect as provided by section 803 after submission to Congress under
paragraph (1).
(5) If a joint resolution of approval relating to a major rule is not enacted within the period
provided in subsection (b)(2), then a joint resolution of approval
relating to the same rule may not be considered under this chapter in the
same Congress by either the House of Representatives or the Senate.
(b)
(1) A major rule shall not take effect unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution of approval
described under section 802.
(2) If a joint resolution described in subsection (a) is not enacted into law by the end of 70 session
days or legislative days, as applicable, beginning on the date on which
the report referred to in section 801(a)(1)(A) is received by Congress
(excluding days either House of Congress is adjourned for more than 3 days
during a session of Congress), then the rule described in that resolution
shall be deemed not to be approved and such rule shall not take effect.
(c)
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section (except subject to paragraph (3)), a major rule
may take effect for one 90-calendar-day period if the President makes a
determination under paragraph (2) and submits written notice of such
determination to the Congress.
(2) Paragraph (1) applies to a determination made by the President by Executive order that the major
rule should take effect because such rule is—
(A) necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency;
(B) necessary for the enforcement of criminal laws;
(C) necessary for national security; or
(D) issued pursuant to any statute implementing an international trade agreement.
(3) An exercise by the President of the authority under this subsection shall have no effect on the
procedures under section 802.
(d)
(1) In addition to the opportunity for review otherwise provided under this chapter, in the case of any
rule for which a report was submitted in accordance with subsection
(a)(1)(A) during the period beginning on the date occurring—
(A) in the case of the Senate, 60 session days, or
(B) in the case of the House of Representatives, 60 legislative days,
before the date the Congress is scheduled to adjourn a session of Congress through the date on
which the same or succeeding Congress first convenes its next session,
sections 802 and 803 shall apply to such rule in the succeeding session of
Congress.
(2)
(A) In applying sections 802 and 803 for purposes of such additional review, a rule described under
paragraph (1) shall be treated as though—
(i) such rule were published in the Federal Register on—
(I) in the case of the Senate, the 15th session day, or
(II) in the case of the House of Representatives, the 15th legislative day,
after the succeeding session of Congress first convenes; and
(ii) a report on such rule were submitted to Congress under subsection (a)(1) on such date.
(B) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to affect the requirement under subsection (a)(1) that
a report shall be submitted to Congress before a rule can take effect.
(3) A rule described under paragraph (1) shall take effect as otherwise provided by law (including
other subsections of this section).
802.
Congressional approval procedure for major rules
(a)
(1) For purposes of this section, the term joint resolution means only a joint resolution addressing a report classifying a rule as major pursuant to section
801(a)(1)(A)(iii) that—
(A) bears no preamble;
(B) bears the following title (with blanks filled as appropriate): Approving the rule submitted by ___ relating to ___.;
(C) includes after its resolving clause only the following (with blanks filled as appropriate): That Congress approves the rule submitted by ___ relating to ___.; and
(D) is introduced pursuant to paragraph (2).
(2) After a House of Congress receives a report classifying a rule as major pursuant to section
801(a)(1)(A)(iii), the majority leader of that House (or his or her
respective designee) shall introduce (by request, if appropriate) a joint
resolution described in paragraph (1)—
(A) in the case of the House of Representatives, within three legislative days; and
(B) in the case of the Senate, within three session days.
(3) A joint resolution described in paragraph (1) shall not be subject to amendment at any stage of
proceeding.
(b) A joint resolution described in subsection (a) shall be referred in each House of Congress to the
committees having jurisdiction over the provision of law under which the
rule is issued.
(c) In the Senate, if the committee or committees to which a joint resolution described in subsection
(a) has been referred have not reported it at the end of 15 session days
after its introduction, such committee or committees shall be
automatically discharged from further consideration of the resolution and
it shall be placed on the calendar. A vote on final passage of the
resolution shall be taken on or before the close of the 15th session day
after the resolution is reported by the committee or committees to which
it was referred, or after such committee or committees have been
discharged from further consideration of the resolution.
(d)
(1) In the Senate, when the committee or committees to which a joint resolution is referred have
reported, or when a committee or committees are discharged (under
subsection (c)) from further consideration of a joint resolution described
in subsection (a), it is at any time thereafter in order (even though a
previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) for a motion to
proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution, and all points of
order against the joint resolution (and against consideration of the joint
resolution) are waived. The motion is not subject to amendment, or to a
motion to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the consideration of
other business. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is
agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to
the consideration of the joint resolution is agreed to, the joint
resolution shall remain the unfinished business of the Senate until
disposed of.
(2) In the Senate, debate on the joint resolution, and on all debatable motions and appeals in
connection therewith, shall be limited to not more than 2 hours, which
shall be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the
joint resolution. A motion to further limit debate is in order and not
debatable. An amendment to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to
proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit
the joint resolution is not in order.
(3) In the Senate, immediately following the conclusion of the debate on a joint resolution described
in subsection (a), and a single quorum call at the conclusion of the
debate if requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate, the vote
on final passage of the joint resolution shall occur.
(4) Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the rules of the Senate to
the procedure relating to a joint resolution described in subsection (a)
shall be decided without debate.
(e) In the House of Representatives, if any committee to which a joint resolution described in
subsection (a) has been referred has not reported it to the House at the
end of 15 legislative days after its introduction, such committee shall be
discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution, and it
shall be placed on the appropriate calendar. On the second and fourth
Thursdays of each month it shall be in order at any time for the Speaker
to recognize a Member who favors passage of a joint resolution that has
appeared on the calendar for at least 5 legislative days to call up that
joint resolution for immediate consideration in the House without
intervention of any point of order. When so called up a joint resolution
shall be considered as read and shall be debatable for 1 hour equally
divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and the previous
question shall be considered as ordered to its passage without intervening
motion. It shall not be in order to reconsider the vote on passage. If a
vote on final passage of the joint resolution has not been taken by the
third Thursday on which the Speaker may recognize a Member under this
subsection, such vote shall be taken on that day.
(f)
(1) If, before passing a joint resolution described in subsection (a), one House receives from the
other a joint resolution having the same text, then—
(A) the joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee; and
(B) the procedure in the receiving House shall be the same as if no joint resolution had been received
from the other House until the vote on passage, when the joint resolution
received from the other House shall supplant the joint resolution of the
receiving House.
(2) This subsection shall not apply to the House of Representatives if the joint resolution received
from the Senate is a revenue measure.
(g) If either House has not taken a vote on final passage of the joint resolution by the last day of
the period described in section 801(b)(2), then such vote shall be taken
on that day.
(h) This section and section 803 are enacted by Congress—
(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively,
and as such is deemed to be part of the rules of each House, respectively,
but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in that
House in the case of a joint resolution described in subsection (a) and
superseding other rules only where explicitly so; and
(2) with full recognition of the Constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as
they relate to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same
manner and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that
House.
803.
Congressional disapproval procedure for nonmajor rules
(a) For purposes of this section, the term joint resolution means only a joint resolution introduced in the period beginning on the date on which the report
referred to in section 801(a)(1)(A) is received by Congress and ending 60
days thereafter (excluding days either House of Congress is adjourned for
more than 3 days during a session of Congress), the matter after the
resolving clause of which is as follows: That Congress disapproves the nonmajor rule submitted by the ___ relating to ___ , and such rule
shall have no force or effect. (The blank spaces being appropriately filled in).
(b) A joint resolution described in subsection (a) shall be referred to the committees in each House of
Congress with jurisdiction.
(c) In the Senate, if the committee to which is referred a joint resolution described in subsection (a)
has not reported such joint resolution (or an identical joint resolution)
at the end of 15 session days after the date of introduction of the joint
resolution, such committee may be discharged from further consideration of
such joint resolution upon a petition supported in writing by 30 Members
of the Senate, and such joint resolution shall be placed on the calendar.
(d)
(1) In the Senate, when the committee to which a joint resolution is referred has reported, or when a
committee is discharged (under subsection (c)) from further consideration
of a joint resolution described in subsection (a), it is at any time
thereafter in order (even though a previous motion to the same effect has
been disagreed to) for a motion to proceed to the consideration of the
joint resolution, and all points of order against the joint resolution
(and against consideration of the joint resolution) are waived. The motion
is not subject to amendment, or to a motion to postpone, or to a motion to
proceed to the consideration of other business. A motion to reconsider the
vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in
order. If a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution
is agreed to, the joint resolution shall remain the unfinished business of
the Senate until disposed of.
(2) In the Senate, debate on the joint resolution, and on all debatable motions and appeals in
connection therewith, shall be limited to not more than 10 hours, which
shall be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the
joint resolution. A motion to further limit debate is in order and not
debatable. An amendment to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to
proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit
the joint resolution is not in order.
(3) In the Senate, immediately following the conclusion of the debate on a joint resolution described
in subsection (a), and a single quorum call at the conclusion of the
debate if requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate, the vote
on final passage of the joint resolution shall occur.
(4) Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the rules of the Senate to
the procedure relating to a joint resolution described in subsection (a)
shall be decided without debate.
(e) In the Senate the procedure specified in subsection (c) or (d) shall not apply to the consideration
of a joint resolution respecting a nonmajor rule—
(1) after the expiration of the 60 session days beginning with the applicable submission or publication
date, or
(2) if the report under section 801(a)(1)(A) was submitted during the period referred to in section
801(d)(1), after the expiration of the 60 session days beginning on the
15th session day after the succeeding session of Congress first convenes.
(f) If, before the passage by one House of a joint resolution of that House described in subsection
(a), that House receives from the other House a joint resolution described
in subsection (a), then the following procedures shall apply:
(1) The joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee.
(2) With respect to a joint resolution described in subsection (a) of the House receiving the joint
resolution—
(A) the procedure in that House shall be the same as if no joint resolution had been received from the
other House; but
(B) the vote on final passage shall be on the joint resolution of the other House.
804.
Definitions
For purposes of this chapter—
(1) The term Federal agency means any agency as that term is defined in section 551(1).
(2) The term major rule means any rule, including an interim final rule, that the Administrator of the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget
finds—
(A) has resulted in or is likely to result in—
(i) an annual effect on the economy of $50,000,000 or more;
(ii) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local
government agencies, or geographic regions; or
(iii) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on
the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with
foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets;
(B) is made by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and that would have a
significant impact on a substantial number of agricultural entities, as
determined by the Secretary of Agriculture (who shall publish such
determination in the Federal Register);
(C) is a rule that implements or provides for the imposition or collection of a carbon tax; or
(D) is made under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111–148).
(3) The term nonmajor rule means any rule that is not a major rule.
(4) The term rule has the meaning given such term in section 551, except that such term does not include any rule of
particular applicability, including a rule that approves or prescribes for
the future rates, wages, prices, services, or allowances therefore,
corporate or financial structures, reorganizations, mergers, or
acquisitions thereof, or accounting practices or disclosures bearing on
any of the foregoing.
(5) The term submission date or publication date, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, means—
(A) in the case of a major rule, the date on which the Congress receives the report submitted under
section 801(a)(1); and
(B) in the case of a nonmajor rule, the later of—
(i) the date on which the Congress receives the report submitted under section 801(a)(1); and
(ii) the date on which the nonmajor rule is published in the Federal Register, if so published.
(6) The term agricultural entity means any entity involved in or related to agricultural enterprise, including enterprises that are
engaged in the business of production of food and fiber, ranching and
raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural
related industries.
(7) The term carbon tax means a fee, levy, or price on—
(A) emissions, including carbon dioxide emissions generated by the burning of coal, natural gas, or
oil; or
(B) coal, natural gas, or oil based on emissions, including carbon dioxide emissions that would be
generated through the fuel's combustion.
805.
Judicial review
(a) No determination, finding, action, or omission under this chapter shall be subject to judicial
review.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a court may determine whether a Federal agency has completed the
necessary requirements under this chapter for a rule to take effect.
(c) The enactment of a joint resolution of approval under section 802 shall not be interpreted to serve
as a grant or modification of statutory authority by Congress for the
promulgation of a rule, shall not extinguish or affect any claim, whether
substantive or procedural, against any alleged defect in a rule, and shall
not form part of the record before the court in any judicial proceeding
concerning a rule except for purposes of determining whether or not the
rule is in effect.
806.
Exemption for monetary policy
Nothing in this chapter shall apply to rules that concern monetary policy proposed or implemented
by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal
Open Market Committee.
807.
Effective date of certain rules
Notwithstanding section 801—
(1) any rule that establishes, modifies, opens, closes, or conducts a regulatory program for a
commercial, recreational, or subsistence activity related to hunting,
fishing, or camping; or
(2) any rule other than a major rule which an agency for good cause finds (and incorporates the finding
and a brief statement of reasons therefore in the rule issued) that notice
and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary
to the public interest,
shall take effect at such time as the Federal agency promulgating the rule determines.
.
802.
Budgetary effects of rules subject to section 802 of title 5, United States Code
Section 257(b)(2) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is amended by
adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(E)
Budgetary effects of rules subject to section 802 of title 5, United States Code
Any rules subject to the congressional approval procedure set forth in section 802 of chapter 8 of
title 5, United States Code, affecting budget authority, outlays, or
receipts shall be assumed to be effective unless it is not approved in
accordance with such section.
.
803.
Government Accountability Office study of rules
(a)
In general
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to determine, as of the date of
the enactment of this Act—
(1) how many rules (as such term is defined in section 804 of title 5, United States Code) were in
effect;
(2) how many major rules (as such term is defined in section 804 of title 5, United States Code) were
in effect; and
(3) the total estimated economic cost imposed by all such rules.
(b)
Report
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit a report to Congress that contains the findings
of the study conducted under subsection (a).
IX
Simplification of Mergers, Acquisitions and Sales of Small Business
901.
Registration exemption for merger and acquisition brokers
(a)
Registration exemption
Section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o(b)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
(13)
Registration exemption for merger and acquisition brokers
(A)
In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an M&A broker shall be exempt from registration under this section.
(B)
Excluded activities
An M&A broker is not exempt from registration under this paragraph if such broker does any of the
following:
(i) Directly or indirectly, in connection with the transfer of ownership of an eligible privately held
company, receives, holds, transmits, or has custody of the funds or
securities to be exchanged by the parties to the transaction.
(ii) Engages on behalf of an issuer in a public offering of any class of securities that is registered,
or is required to be registered, with the Commission under section 12 or
with respect to which the issuer files, or is required to file, periodic
information, documents, and reports under subsection (d).
(C)
Rule of construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit any other authority of the Commission to
exempt any person, or any class of persons, from any provision of this
title, or from any provision of any rule or regulation thereunder.
(D)
Definitions
In this paragraph:
(i)
Control
The term control means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies of a company,
whether through ownership of securities, by contract, or otherwise. There
is a presumption of control for any person who—
(I) is a director, general partner, member or manager of a limited liability company, or officer
exercising executive responsibility (or has similar status or functions);
(II) has the right to vote 20 percent or more of a class of voting securities or the power to sell or
direct the sale of 20 percent or more of a class of voting securities; or
(III) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, has the right to receive upon
dissolution, or has contributed, 20 percent or more of the capital.
(ii)
Eligible privately held company
The term eligible privately held company means a company that meets both of the following conditions:
(I) The company does not have any class of securities registered, or required to be registered, with
the Commission under section 12 or with respect to which the company
files, or is required to file, periodic information, documents, and
reports under subsection (d).
(II) In the fiscal year ending immediately before the fiscal year in which the services of the M&A broker are initially engaged with respect to the securities transaction, the company meets either
or both of the following conditions (determined in accordance with the
historical financial accounting records of the company):
(aa) The earnings of the company before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization are less than
$25,000,000.
(bb) The gross revenues of the company are less than $250,000,000.
(iii)
M&A broker
The term M&A broker means a broker, and any person associated with a broker, engaged in the business of effecting
securities transactions solely in connection with the transfer of
ownership of an eligible privately held company, regardless of whether the
broker acts on behalf of a seller or buyer, through the purchase, sale,
exchange, issuance, repurchase, or redemption of, or a business
combination involving, securities or assets of the eligible privately held
company, if the broker reasonably believes that—
(I) upon consummation of the transaction, any person acquiring securities or assets of the eligible
privately held company, acting alone or in concert, will control and,
directly or indirectly, will be active in the management of the eligible
privately held company or the business conducted with the assets of the
eligible privately held company; and
(II) if any person is offered securities in exchange for securities or assets of the eligible privately
held company, such person will, prior to becoming legally bound to
consummate the transaction, receive or have reasonable access to the most
recent year-end balance sheet, income statement, statement of changes in
financial position, and statement of owner’s equity of the issuer of the
securities offered in exchange, and, if the financial statements of the
issuer are audited, the related report of the independent auditor, a
balance sheet dated not more than 120 days before the date of the offer,
and information pertaining to the management, business, results of
operations for the period covered by the foregoing financial statements,
and material loss contingencies of the issuer.
(E)
Inflation adjustment
(i)
In general
On the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of the Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2014, and every 5 years thereafter, each dollar amount in subparagraph (D)(ii)(II) shall be adjusted
by—
(I) dividing the annual value of the Employment Cost Index For Wages and Salaries, Private Industry
Workers (or any successor index), as published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, for the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the
adjustment is being made by the annual value of such index (or successor)
for the calendar year ending December 31, 2012; and
(II) multiplying such dollar amount by the quotient obtained under subclause (I).
(ii)
Rounding
Each dollar amount determined under clause (i) shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of
$100,000.
.
(b)
Effective date
This title and any amendment made by this title shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
III
Energy
X
Offshore Energy and Jobs Act
1001.
Short title
This title may be cited as the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act.
A
Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program Reforms
1011.
Outer Continental Shelf leasing program reforms
Section 18(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344(a)) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
(5)
(A) In each oil and gas leasing program under this section, the Secretary shall make available for
leasing and conduct lease sales including at least 50 percent of the
available unleased acreage within each outer Continental Shelf planning
area considered to have the largest undiscovered, technically recoverable
oil and gas resources (on a total btu basis) based upon the most recent
national geologic assessment of the outer Continental Shelf, with an
emphasis on offering the most geologically prospective parts of the
planning area.
(B) The Secretary shall include in each proposed oil and gas leasing program under this section any
State subdivision of an outer Continental Shelf planning area that the
Governor of the State that represents that subdivision requests be made
available for leasing. The Secretary may not remove such a subdivision
from the program until publication of the final program, and shall include
and consider all such subdivisions in any environmental review conducted
and statement prepared for such program under section 102(2) of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)).
(C) In this paragraph the term available unleased acreage means that portion of the outer Continental Shelf that is not under lease at the time of a
proposed lease sale, and that has not otherwise been made unavailable for
leasing by law.
(6)
(A) In the 5-year oil and gas leasing program, the Secretary shall make available for leasing any outer
Continental Shelf planning areas that—
(i) are estimated to contain more than 2,500,000,000 barrels of oil; or
(ii) are estimated to contain more than 7,500,000,000,000 cubic feet of natural gas.
(B) To determine the planning areas described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall use the document
entitled Minerals Management Service Assessment of Undiscovered Technically Recoverable Oil and Gas
Resources of the Nation’s Outer Continental Shelf, 2006.
.
1012.
Domestic oil and natural gas production goal
Section 18(b) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344(b)) is amended to read as
follows:
(b)
Domestic oil and natural gas production goal
–
(1)
In general
In developing a 5-year oil and gas leasing program, and subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary
shall determine a domestic strategic production goal for the development
of oil and natural gas as a result of that program. Such goal shall be—
(A) the best estimate of the possible increase in domestic production of oil and natural gas from the
outer Continental Shelf;
(B) focused on meeting domestic demand for oil and natural gas and reducing the dependence of the
United States on foreign energy; and
(C) focused on the production increases achieved by the leasing program at the end of the 15-year
period beginning on the effective date of the program.
(2)
Program goal
For purposes of the 5-year oil and gas leasing program, the production goal referred to in
paragraph (1) shall be an increase by 2032 of—
(A) no less than 3,000,000 barrels in the amount of oil produced per day; and
(B) no less than 10,000,000,000 cubic feet in the amount of natural gas produced per day.
(3)
Reporting
The Secretary shall report annually, beginning at the end of the 5-year period for which the
program applies, to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate on the progress of the program in meeting the production goal. The
Secretary shall identify in the report projections for production and any
problems with leasing, permitting, or production that will prevent meeting
the goal.
.
1013.
Development and submittal of new 5-year oil and gas leasing program
(a)
In general
The Secretary of the Interior shall—
(1) by not later than July 15, 2014, publish and submit to Congress a new proposed oil and gas leasing
program under section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43
U.S.C. 1344) for the 5-year period beginning on such date and ending July
15, 2020; and
(2) by not later than July 15, 2015, approve a final oil and gas leasing program under such section for
such period.
(b)
Consideration of all areas
In preparing such program the Secretary shall include consideration of areas of the Continental
Shelf off the coasts of all States (as such term is defined in section 2
of that Act, as amended by this title), that are subject to leasing under
this title.
(c)
Technical correction
Section 18(d)(3) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344(d)(3)) is amended by
striking or after eighteen months following the date of enactment of this section, whichever first occurs,.
1014.
Rule of construction
Nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize the issuance of a lease under the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) to any person
designated for the imposition of sanctions pursuant to—
(1) the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note), the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions,
Accountability and Divestiture Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.), the
Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8701
et seq.), section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8513a), or the Iran Freedom and
Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8801 et seq.);
(2) Executive Order No. 13622 (July 30, 2012), Executive Order No. 13628 (October 9, 2012), or
Executive Order No. 13645 (June 3, 2013);
(3) Executive Order No. 13224 (September 23, 2001) or Executive Order No. 13338 (May 11, 2004); or
(4) the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note).
B
Directing the President To Conduct New OCS Sales in Virginia, South Carolina, and California
1021.
Requirement to conduct proposed oil and gas Lease Sale 220 on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore
Virginia
(a)
In general
Notwithstanding the exclusion of Lease Sale 220 in the Final Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program 2012–2017, the Secretary of the Interior shall conduct offshore oil and gas
Lease Sale 220 under section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
(43 U.S.C. 1337) as soon as practicable, but not later than one year after
the date of enactment of this Act.
(b)
Requirement To make replacement lease blocks available
For each lease block in a proposed lease sale under this section for which the Secretary of
Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, under the
Memorandum of Agreement referred to in section 1025(b), issues a statement
proposing deferral from a lease offering due to defense-related activities
that are irreconcilable with mineral exploration and development, the
Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense,
shall make available in the same lease sale one other lease block in the
Virginia lease sale planning area that is acceptable for oil and gas
exploration and production in order to mitigate conflict.
(c)
Balancing military and energy production goals
In recognition that the Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing program and the domestic energy
resources produced therefrom are integral to national security, the
Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Defense shall work jointly
in implementing this section in order to ensure achievement of the
following common goals:
(1) Preserving the ability of the Armed Forces of the United States to maintain an optimum state of
readiness through their continued use of the Outer Continental Shelf.
(2) Allowing effective exploration, development, and production of our Nation’s oil, gas, and renewable
energy resources.
(d)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Lease sale 220
The term Lease Sale 220 means such lease sale referred to in the Request for Comments on the Draft Proposed 5-Year Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2010–2015 and
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for
the Proposed 5-Year Program published January 21, 2009 (74 Fed. Reg.
3631).
(2)
Virginia lease sale planning area
The term Virginia lease sale planning area means the area of the outer Continental Shelf (as that term is defined in the Outer Continental
Shelf Lands Act (33 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.)) that is bounded by—
(A) a northern boundary consisting of a straight line extending from the northernmost point of
Virginia’s seaward boundary to the point on the seaward boundary of the
United States exclusive economic zone located at 37 degrees 17 minutes 1
second North latitude, 71 degrees 5 minutes 16 seconds West longitude; and
(B) a southern boundary consisting of a straight line extending from the southernmost point of
Virginia’s seaward boundary to the point on the seaward boundary of the
United States exclusive economic zone located at 36 degrees 31 minutes 58
seconds North latitude, 71 degrees 30 minutes 1 second West longitude.
1022.
South Carolina lease sale
Notwithstanding inclusion of the South Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Planning Area in the Final
Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program 2012–2017, the Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a lease sale not later
than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act for areas off the
coast of South Carolina determined by the Secretary to have the most
geologically promising hydrocarbon resources and constituting not less
than 25 percent of the leasable area within the South Carolina offshore
administrative boundaries depicted in the notice entitled Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Administrative Boundaries Extending from the Submerged Lands
Act Boundary seaward to the Limit of the United States Outer Continental
Shelf, published January 3, 2006 (71 Fed. Reg. 127).
1023.
Southern California existing infrastructure lease sale
(a)
In general
The Secretary of the Interior shall offer for sale leases of tracts in the Santa Maria and Santa
Barbara/Ventura Basins of the Southern California OCS Planning Area as
soon as practicable, but not later than December 31, 2014.
(b)
Use of Existing Structures or Onshore-Based Drilling
The Secretary of the Interior shall include in leases offered for sale under this lease sale such
terms and conditions as are necessary to require that development and
production may occur only from offshore infrastructure in existence on the
date of the enactment of this Act or from onshore-based, extended-reach
drilling.
1024.
Environmental impact statement requirement
(a)
In General
For the purposes of this title, the Secretary of the Interior shall prepare a multisale
environmental impact statement under section 102 of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332) for all lease sales
required under this subtitle.
(b)
Actions To be considered
Notwithstanding section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332), in
such statement—
(1) the Secretary is not required to identify nonleasing alternative courses of action or to analyze
the environmental effects of such alternative courses of action; and
(2) the Secretary shall only—
(A) identify a preferred action for leasing and not more than one alternative leasing proposal; and
(B) analyze the environmental effects and potential mitigation measures for such preferred action and
such alternative leasing proposal.
1025.
National defense
(a)
National Defense Areas
This title does not affect the existing authority of the Secretary of Defense, with the approval of
the President, to designate national defense areas on the Outer
Continental Shelf pursuant to section 12(d) of the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1341(d)).
(b)
Prohibition on Conflicts With Military Operations
No person may engage in any exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas on the
Outer Continental Shelf under a lease issued under this title that would
conflict with any military operation, as determined in accordance with the
Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Defense and the
Department of the Interior on Mutual Concerns on the Outer Continental
Shelf signed July 20, 1983, and any revision or replacement for that
agreement that is agreed to by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary
of the Interior after that date but before the date of issuance of the
lease under which such exploration, development, or production is
conducted.
1026.
Opening the Eastern Gulf of Mexico for exploration
(a)
Repeal
Section 104 of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (title I of division C of Public Law
109–432; 43 U.S.C. 1331 note) is repealed.
(b)
Exchanges not affected
Subsection (a) of this section shall not affect any exchange made before the date of the enactment
of this Act.
C
Equitable Sharing of Outer Continental Shelf Revenues
1031.
Disposition of Outer Continental Shelf revenues to coastal States
(a)
In general
Section 9 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1338) is amended—
(1) in the existing text—
(A) in the first sentence, by striking All rentals, and inserting the following:
(c)
Disposition of revenue under old leases
All rentals,
; and
(B) in subsection (c) (as designated by the amendment made by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph), by
striking for the period from June 5, 1950, to date, and thereafter and inserting in the period beginning June 5, 1950, and ending on the date of enactment of the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act;
(2) by adding after subsection (c) (as so designated) the following:
(d)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Coastal State
The term coastal State includes a territory of the United States.
(2)
New leasing revenues
The term new leasing revenues—
(A) means amounts received by the United States as bonuses, rents, and royalties under leases for oil
and gas, wind, tidal, or other energy exploration, development, and
production on new areas of the outer Continental Shelf that are authorized
to be made available for leasing as a result of enactment of the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act and leasing under that Act; and
(B) does not include amounts received by the United States under any lease of an area located in the
boundaries of the Central Gulf of Mexico and Western Gulf of Mexico Outer
Continental Shelf Planning Areas on the date of enactment of the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act, including a lease issued before, on, or after such date of enactment.
; and
(3) by inserting before subsection (c) (as so designated) the following:
(a)
Payment of new leasing revenues to coastal States
(1)
In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), of the amount of new leasing revenues received by the United
States each fiscal year, 37.5 percent shall be allocated and paid in
accordance with subsection (b) to coastal States that are affected States
with respect to the leases under which those revenues are received by the
United States.
(2)
Phase-in
(A)
In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), paragraph (1) shall be applied—
(i) with respect to new leasing revenues under leases awarded under the first leasing program under
section 18(a) that takes effect after the date of enactment of the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act, by substituting 12.5 percent for 37.5 percent; and
(ii) with respect to new leasing revenues under leases awarded under the second leasing program under
section 18(a) that takes effect after the date of enactment of the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act, by substituting 25 percent for 37.5 percent.
(B)
Exempted lease sales
This paragraph shall not apply with respect to any lease issued under title II of the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act.
(b)
Allocation of payments
(1)
In general
The amount of new leasing revenues received by the United States with respect to a leased tract
that are required to be paid to coastal States in accordance with this
subsection each fiscal year shall be allocated among and paid to coastal
States that are within 200 miles of the leased tract, in amounts that are
inversely proportional to the respective distances between the point on
the coastline of each such State that is closest to the geographic center
of the lease tract, as determined by the Secretary.
(2)
Minimum and maximum allocation
The amount allocated to a coastal State under paragraph (1) each fiscal year with respect to a
leased tract shall be—
(A) in the case of a coastal State that is the nearest State to the geographic center of the leased
tract, not less than 25 percent of the total amounts allocated with
respect to the leased tract;
(B) in the case of any other coastal State, not less than 10 percent, and not more than 15 percent, of
the total amounts allocated with respect to the leased tract; and
(C) in the case of a coastal State that is the only coastal State within 200 miles of a leased tract,
100 percent of the total amounts allocated with respect to the leased
tract.
(3)
Administration
Amounts allocated to a coastal State under this subsection—
(A) shall be available to the coastal State without further appropriation;
(B) shall remain available until expended;
(C) shall be in addition to any other amounts available to the coastal State under this Act; and
(D) shall be distributed in the fiscal year following receipt.
(4)
Use of funds
(A)
In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a coastal State may use funds allocated and paid to it
under this subsection for any purpose as determined by the laws of that
State.
(B)
Restriction on use for matching
Funds allocated and paid to a coastal State under this subsection may not be used as matching funds
for any other Federal program.
.
(b)
Limitation on application
This section and the amendment made by this section shall not affect the application of section 105
of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (title I of division C
of Public Law 109–432; (43 U.S.C. 1331 note)), as in effect before the
enactment of this Act, with respect to revenues received by the United
States under oil and gas leases issued for tracts located in the Western
and Central Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Planning Areas,
including such leases issued on or after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
D
Reorganization of Minerals Management Agencies of the Department of the Interior
1041.
Establishment of Under Secretary for Energy, Lands, and Minerals and Assistant Secretary of Ocean
Energy and Safety
There shall be in the Department of the Interior—
(1) an Under Secretary for Energy, Lands, and Minerals, who shall—
(A) be appointed by the President, by and with the advise and consent of the Senate;
(B) report to the Secretary of the Interior or, if directed by the Secretary, to the Deputy Secretary
of the Interior;
(C) be paid at the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule; and
(D) be responsible for—
(i) the safe and responsible development of our energy and mineral resources on Federal lands in
appropriate accordance with United States energy demands; and
(ii) ensuring multiple-use missions of the Department of the Interior that promote the safe and
sustained development of energy and minerals resources on public lands (as
that term is defined in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
(43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.));
(2) an Assistant Secretary of Ocean Energy and Safety, who shall—
(A) be appointed by the President, by and with the advise and consent of the Senate;
(B) report to the Under Secretary for Energy, Lands, and Minerals;
(C) be paid at the rate payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule; and
(D) be responsible for ensuring safe and efficient development of energy and minerals on the Outer
Continental Shelf of the United States; and
(3) an Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management, who shall—
(A) be appointed by the President, by and with the advise and consent of the Senate;
(B) report to the Under Secretary for Energy, Lands, and Minerals;
(C) be paid at the rate payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule; and
(D) be responsible for ensuring safe and efficient development of energy and minerals on public lands
and other Federal onshore lands under the jurisdiction of the Department
of the Interior, including implementation of the Mineral Leasing Act (30
U.S.C. 181 et seq.) and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (30
U.S.C. 1201 et seq.) and administration of the Office of Surface Mining.
1042.
Bureau of Ocean Energy
(a)
Establishment
There is established in the Department of the Interior a Bureau of Ocean Energy (referred to in
this section as the Bureau), which shall—
(1) be headed by a Director of Ocean Energy (referred to in this section as the Director); and
(2) be administered under the direction of the Assistant Secretary of Ocean Energy and Safety.
(b)
Director
(1)
Appointment
The Director shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior.
(2)
Compensation
The Director shall be compensated at the rate provided for level V of the Executive Schedule under
section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
(c)
Duties
(1)
In general
The Secretary of the Interior shall carry out through the Bureau all functions, powers, and duties
vested in the Secretary relating to the administration of a comprehensive
program of offshore mineral and renewable energy resources management.
(2)
Specific authorities
The Director shall promulgate and implement regulations—
(A) for the proper issuance of leases for the exploration, development, and production of nonrenewable
and renewable energy and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf;
(B) relating to resource identification, access, evaluation, and utilization;
(C) for development of leasing plans, lease sales, and issuance of leases for such resources; and
(D) regarding issuance of environmental impact statements related to leasing and post leasing
activities including exploration, development, and production, and the use
of third party contracting for necessary environmental analysis for the
development of such resources.
(3)
Limitation
The Secretary shall not carry out through the Bureau any function, power, or duty that is—
(A) required by section 1043 to be carried out through the Ocean Energy Safety Service; or
(B) required by section 1044 to be carried out through the Office of Natural Resources Revenue.
(d)
Responsibilities of land management agencies
Nothing in this section shall affect the authorities of the Bureau of Land Management under the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or
of the Forest Service under the National Forest Management Act of 1976
(Public Law 94–588).
1043.
Ocean Energy Safety Service
(a)
Establishment
There is established in the Department of the Interior an Ocean Energy Safety Service (referred to
in this section as the Service), which shall—
(1) be headed by a Director of Energy Safety (referred to in this section as the Director); and
(2) be administered under the direction of the Assistant Secretary of Ocean Energy and Safety.
(b)
Director
(1)
Appointment
The Director shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior.
(2)
Compensation
The Director shall be compensated at the rate provided for level V of the Executive Schedule under
section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
(c)
Duties
(1)
In general
The Secretary of the Interior shall carry out through the Service all functions, powers, and duties
vested in the Secretary relating to the administration of safety and
environmental enforcement activities related to offshore mineral and
renewable energy resources on the Outer Continental Shelf pursuant to the
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) including the
authority to develop, promulgate, and enforce regulations to ensure the
safe and sound exploration, development, and production of mineral and
renewable energy resources on the Outer Continental Shelf in a timely
fashion.
(2)
Specific authorities
The Director shall be responsible for all safety activities related to exploration and development
of renewable and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf,
including—
(A) exploration, development, production, and ongoing inspections of infrastructure;
(B) the suspending or prohibiting, on a temporary basis, any operation or activity, including
production under leases held on the Outer Continental Shelf, in accordance
with section 5(a)(1) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C.
1334(a)(1));
(C) cancelling any lease, permit, or right-of-way on the Outer Continental Shelf, in accordance with
section 5(a)(2) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C.
1334(a)(2));
(D) compelling compliance with applicable Federal laws and regulations relating to worker safety and
other matters;
(E) requiring comprehensive safety and environmental management programs for persons engaged in
activities connected with the exploration, development, and production of
mineral or renewable energy resources;
(F) developing and implementing regulations for Federal employees to carry out any inspection or
investigation to ascertain compliance with applicable regulations,
including health, safety, or environmental regulations;
(G) implementing the Offshore Technology Research and Risk Assessment Program under section 21 of the
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1347);
(H) summoning witnesses and directing the production of evidence;
(I) levying fines and penalties and disqualifying operators;
(J) carrying out any safety, response, and removal preparedness functions; and
(K) the processing of permits, exploration plans, development plans.
(d)
Employees
(1)
In general
The Secretary shall ensure that the inspection force of the Bureau consists of qualified, trained
employees who meet qualification requirements and adhere to the highest
professional and ethical standards.
(2)
Qualifications
The qualification requirements referred to in paragraph (1)—
(A) shall be determined by the Secretary, subject to subparagraph (B); and
(B) shall include—
(i) three years of practical experience in oil and gas exploration, development, or production; or
(ii) a degree in an appropriate field of engineering from an accredited institution of higher learning.
(3)
Assignment
In assigning oil and gas inspectors to the inspection and investigation of individual operations,
the Secretary shall give due consideration to the extent possible to their
previous experience in the particular type of oil and gas operation in
which such inspections are to be made.
(4)
Background checks
The Director shall require that an individual to be hired as an inspection officer undergo an
employment investigation (including a criminal history record check).
(5)
Language requirements
Individuals hired as inspectors must be able to read, speak, and write English well enough to—
(A) carry out written and oral instructions regarding the proper performance of inspection duties; and
(B) write inspection reports and statements and log entries in the English language.
(6)
Veterans preference
The Director shall provide a preference for the hiring of an individual as a inspection officer if
the individual is a member or former member of the Armed Forces and is
entitled, under statute, to retired, retirement, or retainer pay on
account of service as a member of the Armed Forces.
(7)
Annual proficiency review
(A)
Annual proficiency review
The Director shall provide that an annual evaluation of each individual assigned inspection duties
is conducted and documented.
(B)
Continuation of employment
An individual employed as an inspector may not continue to be employed in that capacity unless the
evaluation demonstrates that the individual—
(i) continues to meet all qualifications and standards;
(ii) has a satisfactory record of performance and attention to duty based on the standards and
requirements in the inspection program; and
(iii) demonstrates the current knowledge and skills necessary to courteously, vigilantly, and effectively
perform inspection functions.
(8)
Limitation on right to strike
Any individual that conducts permitting or inspections under this section may not participate in a
strike, or assert the right to strike.
(9)
Personnel authority
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Director may employ, appoint, discipline and
terminate for cause, and fix the compensation, terms, and conditions of
employment of Federal service for individuals as the employees of the
Service in order to restore and maintain the trust of the people of the
United States in the accountability of the management of our Nation’s
energy safety program.
(10)
Training Academy
(A)
In general
The Secretary shall establish and maintain a National Offshore Energy Safety Academy (referred to
in this paragraph as the Academy) as an agency of the Ocean Energy Safety Service.
(B)
Functions of Academy
The Secretary, through the Academy, shall be responsible for—
(i) the initial and continued training of both newly hired and experienced offshore oil and gas
inspectors in all aspects of health, safety, environmental, and
operational inspections;
(ii) the training of technical support personnel of the Bureau;
(iii) any other training programs for offshore oil and gas inspectors, Bureau personnel, Department
personnel, or other persons as the Secretary shall designate; and
(iv) certification of the successful completion of training programs for newly hired and experienced
offshore oil and gas inspectors.
(C)
Cooperative agreements
(i)
In general
In performing functions under this paragraph, and subject to clause (ii), the Secretary may enter
into cooperative educational and training agreements with educational
institutions, related Federal academies, other Federal agencies, State
governments, safety training firms, and oil and gas operators and related
industries.
(ii)
Training requirement
Such training shall be conducted by the Academy in accordance with curriculum needs and assignment
of instructional personnel established by the Secretary.
(11)
Use of Department personnel
In performing functions under this subsection, the Secretary shall use, to the extent practicable,
the facilities and personnel of the Department of the Interior. The
Secretary may appoint or assign to the Academy such officers and employees
as the Secretary considers necessary for the performance of the duties and
functions of the Academy.
(12)
Additional training programs
(A)
In general
The Secretary shall work with appropriate educational institutions, operators, and representatives
of oil and gas workers to develop and maintain adequate programs with
educational institutions and oil and gas operators that are designed—
(i) to enable persons to qualify for positions in the administration of this title; and
(ii) to provide for the continuing education of inspectors or other appropriate Department of the
Interior personnel.
(B)
Financial and technical assistance
The Secretary may provide financial and technical assistance to educational institutions in
carrying out this paragraph.
(e)
Limitation
The Secretary shall not carry out through the Service any function, power, or duty that is—
(1) required by section 1042 to be carried out through Bureau of Ocean Energy; or
(2) required by section 1044 to be carried out through the Office of Natural Resources Revenue.
1044.
Office of Natural Resources Revenue
(a)
Establishment
There is established in the Department of the Interior an Office of Natural Resources Revenue
(referred to in this section as the Office) to be headed by a Director of Natural Resources Revenue (referred to in this section as the Director).
(b)
Appointment and compensation
(1)
In general
The Director shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior.
(2)
Compensation
The Director shall be compensated at the rate provided for Level V of the Executive Schedule under
section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
(c)
Duties
(1)
In general
The Secretary of the Interior shall carry out, through the Office, all functions, powers, and
duties vested in the Secretary and relating to the administration of
offshore royalty and revenue management functions.
(2)
Specific authorities
The Secretary shall carry out, through the Office, all functions, powers, and duties previously
assigned to the Minerals Management Service (including the authority to
develop, promulgate, and enforce regulations) regarding offshore royalty
and revenue collection; royalty and revenue distribution; auditing and
compliance; investigation and enforcement of royalty and revenue
regulations; and asset management for onshore and offshore activities.
(d)
Limitation
The Secretary shall not carry out through the Office any function, power, or duty that is—
(1) required by section 1042 to be carried out through Bureau of Ocean Energy; or
(2) required by section 1043 to be carried out through the Ocean Energy Safety Service.
1045.
Ethics and drug testing
(a)
Certification
The Secretary of the Interior shall certify annually that all Department of the Interior officers
and employees having regular, direct contact with lessees, contractors,
concessionaires, and other businesses interested before the Government as
a function of their official duties, or conducting investigations, issuing
permits, or responsible for oversight of energy programs, are in full
compliance with all Federal employee ethics laws and regulations under the
Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) and part 2635 of title 5,
Code of Federal Regulations, and all guidance issued under subsection (c).
(b)
Drug Testing
The Secretary shall conduct a random drug testing program of all Department of the Interior
personnel referred to in subsection (a).
(c)
Guidance
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue
supplementary ethics and drug testing guidance for the employees for which
certification is required under subsection (a). The Secretary shall update
the supplementary ethics guidance not less than once every 3 years
thereafter.
1046.
Abolishment of Minerals Management Service
(a)
Abolishment
The Minerals Management Service is abolished.
(b)
Completed administrative actions
(1)
In general
Completed administrative actions of the Minerals Management Service shall not be affected by the
enactment of this Act, but shall continue in effect according to their
terms until amended, modified, superseded, terminated, set aside, or
revoked in accordance with law by an officer of the United States or a
court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law.
(2)
Completed administrative action defined
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term completed administrative action includes orders, determinations, memoranda of understanding, memoranda of agreements, rules,
regulations, personnel actions, permits, agreements, grants, contracts,
certificates, licenses, registrations, and privileges.
(c)
Pending Proceedings
Subject to the authority of the Secretary of the Interior and the officers of the Department of the
Interior under this title—
(1) pending proceedings in the Minerals Management Service, including notices of proposed rulemaking,
and applications for licenses, permits, certificates, grants, and
financial assistance, shall continue, notwithstanding the enactment of
this title or the vesting of functions of the Service in another agency,
unless discontinued or modified under the same terms and conditions and to
the same extent that such discontinuance or modification could have
occurred if this title had not been enacted; and
(2) orders issued in such proceedings, and appeals therefrom, and payments made pursuant to such
orders, shall issue in the same manner and on the same terms as if this
title had not been enacted, and any such orders shall continue in effect
until amended, modified, superseded, terminated, set aside, or revoked by
an officer of the United States or a court of competent jurisdiction, or
by operation of law.
(d)
Pending Civil Actions
Subject to the authority of the Secretary of the Interior or any officer of the Department of the
Interior under this title, pending civil actions shall continue
notwithstanding the enactment of this Act, and in such civil actions,
proceedings shall be had, appeals taken, and judgments rendered and
enforced in the same manner and with the same effect as if such enactment
had not occurred.
(e)
References
References relating to the Minerals Management Service in statutes, Executive orders, rules,
regulations, directives, or delegations of authority that precede the
effective date of this title are deemed to refer, as appropriate, to the
Department, to its officers, employees, or agents, or to its corresponding
organizational units or functions. Statutory reporting requirements that
applied in relation to the Minerals Management Service immediately before
the effective date of this title shall continue to apply.
1047.
Conforming amendments to Executive Schedule pay rates
(a)
Under Secretary for Energy, Lands, and Minerals
Section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to Under Secretaries of the Treasury (3). the following:
Under Secretary for Energy, Lands, and Minerals, Department of the Interior.
.
(b)
Assistant Secretaries
Section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking Assistant Secretaries of the Interior (6). and inserting the following:
Assistant Secretaries, Department of the Interior (7).
.
(c)
Directors
Section 5316 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking Director, Bureau of Mines, Department of the Interior. and inserting the following new items:
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy, Department of the Interior.Director, Ocean Energy Safety Service, Department of the Interior.Director, Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Department of the Interior.
.
1048.
Outer Continental Shelf Energy Safety Advisory Board
(a)
Establishment
The Secretary of the Interior shall establish, under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, an Outer
Continental Shelf Energy Safety Advisory Board (referred to in this
section as the Board)—
(1) to provide the Secretary and the Directors established by this title with independent scientific
and technical advice on safe, responsible, and timely mineral and
renewable energy exploration, development, and production activities; and
(2) to review operations of the National Offshore Energy Health and Safety Academy established under
section 1043(d), including submitting to the Secretary recommendations of
curriculum to ensure training scientific and technical advancements.
(b)
Membership
(1)
Size
The Board shall consist of not more than 11 members, who—
(A) shall be appointed by the Secretary based on their expertise in oil and gas drilling, well design,
operations, well containment and oil spill response; and
(B) must have significant scientific, engineering, management, and other credentials and a history of
working in the field related to safe energy exploration, development, and
production activities.
(2)
Consultation and nominations
The Secretary shall consult with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of
Engineering to identify potential candidates for the Board and shall take
nominations from the public.
(3)
Term
The Secretary shall appoint Board members to staggered terms of not more than 4 years, and shall
not appoint a member for more than 2 consecutive terms.
(4)
Balance
In appointing members to the Board, the Secretary shall ensure a balanced representation of
industry and research interests.
(c)
Chair
The Secretary shall appoint the Chair for the Board from among its members.
(d)
Meetings
The Board shall meet not less than 3 times per year and shall host, at least once per year, a
public forum to review and assess the overall energy safety performance of
Outer Continental Shelf mineral and renewable energy resource activities.
(e)
Offshore drilling safety assessments and recommendations
As part of its duties under this section, the Board shall, by not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section and every 5 years thereafter, submit to
the Secretary a report that—
(1) assesses offshore oil and gas well control technologies, practices, voluntary standards, and
regulations in the United States and elsewhere; and
(2) as appropriate, recommends modifications to the regulations issued under this title to ensure
adequate protection of safety and the environment, including
recommendations on how to reduce regulations and administrative actions
that are duplicative or unnecessary.
(f)
Reports
Reports of the Board shall be submitted by the Board to the Committee on Natural Resources of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate and made available to the public in electronically
accessible form.
(g)
Travel expenses
Members of the Board, other than full-time employees of the Federal Government, while attending
meeting of the Board or while otherwise serving at the request of the
Secretary or the Director while serving away from their homes or regular
places of business, may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United
States Code, for individuals in the Government serving without pay.
1049.
Outer Continental Shelf inspection fees
Section 22 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1348) is amended by adding at the
end of the section the following:
(g)
Inspection fees
(1)
Establishment
The Secretary of the Interior shall collect from the operators of facilities subject to inspection
under subsection (c) non-refundable fees for such inspections—
(A) at an aggregate level equal to the amount necessary to offset the annual expenses of inspections of
outer Continental Shelf facilities (including mobile offshore drilling
units) by the Department of the Interior; and
(B) using a schedule that reflects the differences in complexity among the classes of facilities to be
inspected.
(2)
Ocean energy safety fund
There is established in the Treasury a fund, to be known as the Ocean Energy Enforcement Fund (referred to in this subsection as the Fund), into which shall be deposited all amounts collected as fees under paragraph (1) and which shall
be available as provided under paragraph (3).
(3)
Availability of fees
(A)
In general
Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, United States Code, all amounts deposited in the Fund—
(i) shall be credited as offsetting collections;
(ii) shall be available for expenditure for purposes of carrying out inspections of outer Continental
Shelf facilities (including mobile offshore drilling units) and the
administration of the inspection program under this section;
(iii) shall be available only to the extent provided for in advance in an appropriations Act; and
(iv) shall remain available until expended.
(B)
Use for field offices
Not less than 75 percent of amounts in the Fund may be appropriated for use only for the respective
Department of the Interior field offices where the amounts were originally
assessed as fees.
(4)
Initial fees
Fees shall be established under this subsection for the fiscal year in which this subsection takes
effect and the subsequent 10 years, and shall not be raised without advise
and consent of the Congress, except as determined by the Secretary to be
appropriate as an adjustment equal to the percentage by which the Consumer
Price Index for the month of June of the calendar year preceding the
adjustment exceeds the Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the
calendar year in which the claim was determined or last adjusted.
(5)
Annual fees
Annual fees shall be collected under this subsection for facilities that are above the waterline,
excluding drilling rigs, and are in place at the start of the fiscal year.
Fees for fiscal year 2014 shall be—
(A) $10,500 for facilities with no wells, but with processing equipment or gathering lines;
(B) $17,000 for facilities with 1 to 10 wells, with any combination of active or inactive wells; and
(C) $31,500 for facilities with more than 10 wells, with any combination of active or inactive wells.
(6)
Fees for drilling rigs
Fees for drilling rigs shall be assessed under this subsection for all inspections completed in
fiscal years 2015 through 2024. Fees for fiscal year 2015 shall be—
(A) $30,500 per inspection for rigs operating in water depths of 1,000 feet or more; and
(B) $16,700 per inspection for rigs operating in water depths of less than 1,000 feet.
(7)
Billing
The Secretary shall bill designated operators under paragraph (5) within 60 days after the date of
the inspection, with payment required within 30 days of billing. The
Secretary shall bill designated operators under paragraph (6) within 30
days of the end of the month in which the inspection occurred, with
payment required within 30 days after billing.
(8)
Sunset
No fee may be collected under this subsection for any fiscal year after fiscal year 2024.
(9)
Annual reports
(A)
In general
Not later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2014, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of
the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives a report on the operation of the Fund during the fiscal
year.
(B)
Contents
Each report shall include, for the fiscal year covered by the report, the following:
(i) A statement of the amounts deposited into the Fund.
(ii) A description of the expenditures made from the Fund for the fiscal year, including the purpose of
the expenditures and the additional hiring of personnel.
(iii) A statement of the balance remaining in the Fund at the end of the fiscal year.
(iv) An accounting of pace of permit approvals.
(v) If fee increases are proposed after the initial 10-year period referred to in paragraph (5), a
proper accounting of the potential adverse economic impacts such fee
increases will have on offshore economic activity and overall production,
conducted by the Secretary.
(vi) Recommendations to increase the efficacy and efficiency of offshore inspections.
(vii) Any corrective actions levied upon offshore inspectors as a result of any form of misconduct.
.
1050.
Prohibition on action based on National Ocean Policy developed under Executive Order No. 13547
(a)
Prohibition
The Bureau of Ocean Energy and the Ocean Energy Safety Service may not develop, propose, finalize,
administer, or implement, any limitation on activities under their
jurisdiction as a result of the coastal and marine spatial planning
component of the National Ocean Policy developed under Executive Order No.
13547.
(b)
Report on expenditures
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall submit a report
to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate identifying
all Federal expenditures in fiscal years 2012, 2013, and 2014, by the
Bureau of Ocean Energy and the Ocean Energy Safety Service and their
predecessor agencies, by agency, account, and any pertinent subaccounts,
for the development, administration, or implementation of the coastal and
marine spatial planning component of the National Ocean Policy developed
under Executive Order No. 13547, including staff time, travel, and other
related expenses.
E
United States Territories
1061.
Application of Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act with respect to territories of the United States
Section 2 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (a), by inserting after control the following: or lying within the United States exclusive economic zone and the Continental Shelf adjacent to any
territory of the United States;
(2) in paragraph (p), by striking and after the semicolon at the end;
(3) in paragraph (q), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
(r) The term State includes each territory of the United States.
.
F
Judicial Review
1071.
Time for filing complaint
(a)
In general
Any cause of action that arises from a covered energy decision must be filed not later than the end
of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the covered energy decision.
Any cause of action not filed within this time period shall be barred.
(b)
Exception
Subsection (a) shall not apply to a cause of action brought by a party to a covered energy lease.
1072.
District court deadline
(a)
In general
All proceedings that are subject to section 1071—
(1) shall be brought in the United States district court for the district in which the Federal property
for which a covered energy lease is issued is located or the United States
District Court of the District of Columbia;
(2) shall be resolved as expeditiously as possible, and in any event not more than 170 days after such
cause or claim is filed; and
(3) shall take precedence over all other pending matters before the district court.
(b)
Failure To comply with deadline
If an interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order has not been issued by the district court
by the deadline described under this section, the cause or claim shall be
dismissed with prejudice and all rights relating to such cause or claim
shall be terminated.
1073.
Ability to seek appellate review
An interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order of the district court in a proceeding that is
subject to section 1071 may be reviewed by the United States Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The District of Columbia
Circuit shall resolve any such appeal as expeditiously as possible and, in
any event, not more than 180 days after such interlocutory or final
judgment, decree, or order of the district court was issued.
1074.
Limitation on scope of review and relief
(a)
Administrative findings and conclusions
In any judicial review of any Federal action under this subtitle, any administrative findings and
conclusions relating to the challenged Federal action shall be presumed to
be correct unless shown otherwise by clear and convincing evidence
contained in the administrative record.
(b)
Limitation on prospective relief
In any judicial review of any action, or failure to act, under this subtitle, the Court shall not
grant or approve any prospective relief unless the Court finds that such
relief is narrowly drawn, extends no further than necessary to correct the
violation of a Federal law requirement, and is the least intrusive means
necessary to correct the violation concerned.
1075.
Legal fees
Any person filing a petition seeking judicial review of any action, or failure to act, under this
subtitle who is not a prevailing party shall pay to the prevailing parties
(including intervening parties), other than the United States, fees and
other expenses incurred by that party in connection with the judicial
review, unless the Court finds that the position of the person was
substantially justified or that special circumstances make an award
unjust.
1076.
Exclusion
This subtitle shall not apply with respect to disputes between the parties to a lease issued
pursuant to an authorizing leasing statute regarding the obligations of
such lease or the alleged breach thereof.
1077.
Definitions
In this subtitle, the following definitions apply:
(1)
Covered energy decision
The term covered energy decision means any action or decision by a Federal official regarding the issuance of a covered energy
lease.
(2)
Covered energy lease
The term covered energy lease means any lease under this title or under an oil and gas leasing program under this title.
G
Miscellaneous Provisions
1081.
Rules regarding distribution of revenues under Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006
(a)
In general
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall
issue rules to provide more clarity, certainty, and stability to the
revenue streams contemplated by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of
2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note).
(b)
Contents
The rules shall include clarification of the timing and methods of disbursements of funds under
section 105(b)(2) of such Act.
1082.
Seismic testing in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf
Not later than December 31, 2014, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management shall publish a record of
decision on the Atlantic G&G Programmatic Final Environmental Impact Statement.
1083.
Disposition of qualified outer Continental Shelf Revenues
The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (title I of division C of Public Law 109–432; (43
U.S.C. 1331 note)) is amended—
(1) by striking 2016 each place it appears and inserting 2014; and
(2) by striking section 105(f).
XI
Alaskan Energy for American Jobs Act
2001.
Short title
This title may be cited as the Alaskan Energy for American Jobs Act.
2002.
Definitions
In this title:
(1)
Coastal plain
The term Coastal Plain means that area described in appendix I to part 37 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations.
(2)
Peer reviewed
The term peer reviewed means reviewed—
(A) by individuals chosen by the National Academy of Sciences with no contractual relationship with, or
those who have no application for a grant or other funding pending with,
the Federal agency with leasing jurisdiction; or
(B) if individuals described in subparagraph (A) are not available, by the top individuals in the
specified biological fields, as determined by the National Academy of
Sciences.
(3)
Secretary
The term Secretary, except as otherwise provided, means the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary’s designee.
2003.
Leasing program for lands within the Coastal Plain
(a)
In general
The Secretary shall take such actions as are necessary—
(1) to establish and implement, in accordance with this title and acting through the Director of the
Bureau of Land Management in consultation with the Director of the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service, a competitive oil and gas leasing
program that will result in the exploration, development, and production
of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain; and
(2) to administer the provisions of this title through regulations, lease terms, conditions,
restrictions, prohibitions, stipulations, and other provisions that ensure
the oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities on the
Coastal Plain will result in no significant adverse effect on fish and
wildlife, their habitat, subsistence resources, and the environment,
including, in furtherance of this goal, by requiring the application of
the best commercially available technology for oil and gas exploration,
development, and production to all exploration, development, and
production operations under this title in a manner that ensures the
receipt of fair market value by the public for the mineral resources to be
leased.
(b)
Repeal of existing restriction
(1)
Repeal
Section 1003 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3143) is repealed.
(2)
Conforming amendment
The table of contents in section 1 of such Act is amended by striking the item relating to section
1003.
(c)
Compliance with requirements under certain other laws
(1)
Compatibility
For purposes of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et
seq.), the oil and gas leasing program and activities authorized by this
section in the Coastal Plain are deemed to be compatible with the purposes
for which the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was established, and no
further findings or decisions are required to implement this
determination.
(2)
Adequacy of the Department of the Interior’s legislative environmental impact statement
The Final Legislative Environmental Impact Statement (April 1987) on the Coastal Plain prepared pursuant to section 1002 of the Alaska National
Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3142) and section 102(2)(C) of
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) is
deemed to satisfy the requirements under the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 that apply with respect to prelease activities under this
title, including actions authorized to be taken by the Secretary to
develop and promulgate the regulations for the establishment of a leasing
program authorized by this title before the conduct of the first lease
sale.
(3)
Compliance with NEPA for other actions
Before conducting the first lease sale under this title, the Secretary shall prepare an
environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 with respect to the actions authorized by this title that are not
referred to in paragraph (2). Notwithstanding any other law, the Secretary
is not required to identify nonleasing alternative courses of action or to
analyze the environmental effects of such courses of action. The Secretary
shall only identify a preferred action for such leasing and a single
leasing alternative, and analyze the environmental effects and potential
mitigation measures for those two alternatives. The identification of the
preferred action and related analysis for the first lease sale under this
title shall be completed within 18 months after the date of enactment of
this Act. The Secretary shall only consider public comments that
specifically address the Secretary’s preferred action and that are filed
within 20 days after publication of an environmental analysis.
Notwithstanding any other law, compliance with this paragraph is deemed to
satisfy all requirements for the analysis and consideration of the
environmental effects of proposed leasing under this title.
(d)
Relationship to State and local authority
Nothing in this title shall be considered to expand or limit State and local regulatory authority.
(e)
Special areas
(1)
In general
The Secretary, after consultation with the State of Alaska, the city of Kaktovik, and the North
Slope Borough, may designate up to a total of 45,000 acres of the Coastal
Plain as a Special Area if the Secretary determines that the Special Area
is of such unique character and interest so as to require special
management and regulatory protection. The Secretary shall designate as
such a Special Area the Sadlerochit Spring area, comprising approximately
4,000 acres.
(2)
Management
Each such Special Area shall be managed so as to protect and preserve the area’s unique and diverse
character including its fish, wildlife, and subsistence resource values.
(3)
Exclusion from leasing or surface occupancy
The Secretary may exclude any Special Area from leasing. If the Secretary leases a Special Area, or
any part thereof, for purposes of oil and gas exploration, development,
production, and related activities, there shall be no surface occupancy of
the lands comprising the Special Area.
(4)
Directional drilling
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this subsection, the Secretary may lease all or a portion
of a Special Area under terms that permit the use of horizontal drilling
technology from sites on leases tracts located outside the Special Area.
(f)
Limitation on closed areas
The Secretary’s sole authority to close lands within the Coastal Plain to oil and gas leasing and
to exploration, development, and production is that set forth in this
title.
(g)
Regulations
(1)
In general
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this title,
including regulations relating to protection of the fish and wildlife,
their habitat, subsistence resources, and environment of the Coastal
Plain, by no later than 15 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2)
Revision of regulations
The Secretary shall, through a rulemaking conducted in accordance with section 553 of title 5,
United States Code, periodically review and, if appropriate, revise the
regulations issued under subsection (a) to reflect a preponderance of the
best available scientific evidence that has been peer reviewed and
obtained by following appropriate, documented scientific procedures, the
results of which can be repeated using those same procedures.
2004.
Lease sales
(a)
In general
Lands may be leased under this title to any person qualified to obtain a lease for deposits of oil
and gas under the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.).
(b)
Procedures
The Secretary shall, by regulation and no later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
title, establish procedures for—
(1) receipt and consideration of sealed nominations for any area of the Coastal Plain for inclusion in,
or exclusion (as provided in subsection (c)) from, a lease sale;
(2) the holding of lease sales after such nomination process; and
(3) public notice of and comment on designation of areas to be included in, or excluded from, a lease
sale.
(c)
Lease sale bids
Lease sales under this title may be conducted through an Internet leasing program, if the Secretary
determines that such a system will result in savings to the taxpayer, an
increase in the number of bidders participating, and higher returns than
oral bidding or a sealed bidding system.
(d)
Sale acreages and schedule
(1) The Secretary shall offer for lease under this title those tracts the Secretary considers to have
the greatest potential for the discovery of hydrocarbons, taking into
consideration nominations received pursuant to subsection (b)(1).
(2) The Secretary shall offer for lease under this title no less than 50,000 acres for lease within 22
months after the date of the enactment of this title.
(3) The Secretary shall offer for lease under this title no less than an additional 50,000 acres at 6-,
12-, and 18-month intervals following offering under paragraph (2).
(4) The Secretary shall conduct four additional sales under the same terms and schedule no later than
two years after the date of the last sale under paragraph (3), if
sufficient interest in leasing exists to warrant, in the Secretary’s
judgment, the conduct of such sales.
(5) The Secretary shall evaluate the bids in each sale and issue leases resulting from such sales,
within 90 days after the date of the completion of such sale.
2005.
Grant of leases by the Secretary
(a)
In general
The Secretary may grant to the highest responsible qualified bidder in a lease sale conducted under
section 2004 any lands to be leased on the Coastal Plain upon payment by
the such bidder of such bonus as may be accepted by the Secretary.
(b)
Subsequent transfers
No lease issued under this title may be sold, exchanged, assigned, sublet, or otherwise transferred
except with the approval of the Secretary. Prior to any such approval the
Secretary shall consult with, and give due consideration to the views of,
the Attorney General.
2006.
Lease terms and conditions
An oil or gas lease issued under this title shall—
(1) provide for the payment of a royalty of not less than 12½ percent in amount or value of the production removed or sold under the lease, as determined by the
Secretary under the regulations applicable to other Federal oil and gas
leases;
(2) provide that the Secretary may close, on a seasonal basis, portions of the Coastal Plain to
exploratory drilling activities as necessary to protect caribou calving
areas and other species of fish and wildlife based on a preponderance of
the best available scientific evidence that has been peer reviewed and
obtained by following appropriate, documented scientific procedures, the
results of which can be repeated using those same procedures;
(3) require that the lessee of lands within the Coastal Plain shall be fully responsible and liable for
the reclamation of lands within the Coastal Plain and any other Federal
lands that are adversely affected in connection with exploration,
development, production, or transportation activities conducted under the
lease and within the Coastal Plain by the lessee or by any of the
subcontractors or agents of the lessee;
(4) provide that the lessee may not delegate or convey, by contract or otherwise, the reclamation
responsibility and liability to another person without the express written
approval of the Secretary;
(5) provide that the standard of reclamation for lands required to be reclaimed under this title shall
be, as nearly as practicable, a condition capable of supporting the uses
which the lands were capable of supporting prior to any exploration,
development, or production activities, or upon application by the lessee,
to a higher or better use as certified by the Secretary;
(6) contain terms and conditions relating to protection of fish and wildlife, their habitat,
subsistence resources, and the environment as required pursuant to section
2003(a)(2);
(7) provide that the lessee, its agents, and its contractors use best efforts to provide a fair share,
as determined by the level of obligation previously agreed to in the 1974
agreement implementing section 29 of the Federal Agreement and Grant of
Right-of-Way for the Operation of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, of employment
and contracting for Alaska Natives and Alaska Native corporations from
throughout the State;
(8) prohibit the export of oil produced under the lease; and
(9) contain such other provisions as the Secretary determines necessary to ensure compliance with this
title and the regulations issued under this title.
2007.
Policies regarding buying, building, and working for America
(a)
Congressional intent
It is the intent of the Congress that—
(1) this title will support a healthy and growing United States domestic energy sector that, in turn,
helps to reinvigorate American manufacturing, transportation, and service
sectors by employing the vast talents of United States workers to assist
in the development of energy from domestic sources; and
(2) Congress will monitor the deployment of personnel and material onshore and offshore to encourage
the development of American technology and manufacturing to enable United
States workers to benefit from this title through good jobs and careers,
as well as the establishment of important industrial facilities to support
expanded access to American resources.
(b)
Requirement
The Secretary of the Interior shall when possible, and practicable, encourage the use of United
States workers and equipment manufactured in the United States in all
construction related to mineral development on the Coastal Plain.
2008.
Coastal Plain environmental protection
(a)
No significant adverse effect standard To govern authorized Coastal Plain activities
The Secretary shall, consistent with the requirements of section 2003, administer this title
through regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions, prohibitions,
stipulations, and other provisions that—
(1) ensure the oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities on the Coastal Plain
will result in no significant adverse effect on fish and wildlife, their
habitat, and the environment;
(2) require the application of the best commercially available technology for oil and gas exploration,
development, and production on all new exploration, development, and
production operations; and
(3) ensure that the maximum amount of surface acreage covered by production and support facilities,
including airstrips and any areas covered by gravel berms or piers for
support of pipelines, does not exceed 10,000 acres on the Coastal Plain
for each 100,000 acres of area leased.
(b)
Site-Specific assessment and mitigation
The Secretary shall also require, with respect to any proposed drilling and related activities,
that—
(1) a site-specific analysis be made of the probable effects, if any, that the drilling or related
activities will have on fish and wildlife, their habitat, subsistence
resources, and the environment;
(2) a plan be implemented to avoid, minimize, and mitigate (in that order and to the extent
practicable) any significant adverse effect identified under paragraph
(1); and
(3) the development of the plan shall occur after consultation with the agency or agencies having
jurisdiction over matters mitigated by the plan.
(c)
Regulations To protect Coastal Plain fish and wildlife resources, subsistence users, and the
environment
Before implementing the leasing program authorized by this title, the Secretary shall prepare and
promulgate regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions,
prohibitions, stipulations, and other measures designed to ensure that the
activities undertaken on the Coastal Plain under this title are conducted
in a manner consistent with the purposes and environmental requirements of
this title.
(d)
Compliance with Federal and State environmental laws and other requirements
The proposed regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions, prohibitions, and stipulations for
the leasing program under this title shall require compliance with all
applicable provisions of Federal and State environmental law, and shall
also require the following:
(1) Standards at least as effective as the safety and environmental mitigation measures set forth in
items 1 through 29 at pages 167 through 169 of the Final Legislative Environmental Impact Statement (April 1987) on the Coastal Plain.
(2) Seasonal limitations on exploration, development, and related activities, where necessary, to avoid
significant adverse effects during periods of concentrated fish and
wildlife breeding, denning, nesting, spawning, and migration based on a
preponderance of the best available scientific evidence that has been peer
reviewed and obtained by following appropriate, documented scientific
procedures, the results of which can be repeated using those same
procedures.
(3) That exploration activities, except for surface geological studies, be limited to the period
between approximately November 1 and May 1 each year and that exploration
activities shall be supported, if necessary, by ice roads, winter trails
with adequate snow cover, ice pads, ice airstrips, and air transport
methods, except that such exploration activities may occur at other times
if the Secretary finds that such exploration will have no significant
adverse effect on the fish and wildlife, their habitat, and the
environment of the Coastal Plain.
(4) Design safety and construction standards for all pipelines and any access and service roads, that—
(A) minimize, to the maximum extent possible, adverse effects upon the passage of migratory species
such as caribou; and
(B) minimize adverse effects upon the flow of surface water by requiring the use of culverts, bridges,
and other structural devices.
(5) Prohibitions on general public access and use on all pipeline access and service roads.
(6) Stringent reclamation and rehabilitation requirements, consistent with the standards set forth in
this title, requiring the removal from the Coastal Plain of all oil and
gas development and production facilities, structures, and equipment upon
completion of oil and gas production operations, except that the Secretary
may exempt from the requirements of this paragraph those facilities,
structures, or equipment that the Secretary determines would assist in the
management of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and that are donated to
the United States for that purpose.
(7) Appropriate prohibitions or restrictions on access by all modes of transportation.
(8) Appropriate prohibitions or restrictions on sand and gravel extraction.
(9) Consolidation of facility siting.
(10) Appropriate prohibitions or restrictions on use of explosives.
(11) Avoidance, to the extent practicable, of springs, streams, and river systems; the protection of
natural surface drainage patterns, wetlands, and riparian habitats; and
the regulation of methods or techniques for developing or transporting
adequate supplies of water for exploratory drilling.
(12) Avoidance or minimization of air traffic-related disturbance to fish and wildlife.
(13) Treatment and disposal of hazardous and toxic wastes, solid wastes, reserve pit fluids, drilling
muds and cuttings, and domestic wastewater, including an annual waste
management report, a hazardous materials tracking system, and a
prohibition on chlorinated solvents, in accordance with applicable Federal
and State environmental law.
(14) Fuel storage and oil spill contingency planning.
(15) Research, monitoring, and reporting requirements.
(16) Field crew environmental briefings.
(17) Avoidance of significant adverse effects upon subsistence hunting, fishing, and trapping by
subsistence users.
(18) Compliance with applicable air and water quality standards.
(19) Appropriate seasonal and safety zone designations around well sites, within which subsistence
hunting and trapping shall be limited.
(20) Reasonable stipulations for protection of cultural and archeological resources.
(21) All other protective environmental stipulations, restrictions, terms, and conditions deemed
necessary by the Secretary.
(e)
Considerations
In preparing and promulgating regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions, prohibitions, and
stipulations under this section, the Secretary shall consider the
following:
(1) The stipulations and conditions that govern the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska leasing program,
as set forth in the 1999 Northeast National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska Final
Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement.
(2) The environmental protection standards that governed the initial Coastal Plain seismic exploration
program under parts 37.31 to 37.33 of title 50, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(3) The land use stipulations for exploratory drilling on the KIC–ASRC private lands that are set forth
in appendix 2 of the August 9, 1983, agreement between Arctic Slope
Regional Corporation and the United States.
(f)
Facility consolidation planning
(1)
In general
The Secretary shall, after providing for public notice and comment, prepare and update periodically
a plan to govern, guide, and direct the siting and construction of
facilities for the exploration, development, production, and
transportation of Coastal Plain oil and gas resources.
(2)
Objectives
The plan shall have the following objectives:
(A) Avoiding unnecessary duplication of facilities and activities.
(B) Encouraging consolidation of common facilities and activities.
(C) Locating or confining facilities and activities to areas that will minimize impact on fish and
wildlife, their habitat, and the environment.
(D) Utilizing existing facilities wherever practicable.
(E) Enhancing compatibility between wildlife values and development activities.
(g)
Access to public lands
The Secretary shall—
(1) manage public lands in the Coastal Plain subject to section 811 of the Alaska National Interest
Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3121); and
(2) ensure that local residents shall have reasonable access to public lands in the Coastal Plain for
traditional uses.
2009.
Expedited judicial review
(a)
Filing of complaint
(1)
Deadline
Subject to paragraph (2), any complaint seeking judicial review—
(A) of any provision of this title shall be filed by not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act; or
(B) of any action of the Secretary under this title shall be filed—
(i) except as provided in clause (ii), within the 90-day period beginning on the date of the action
being challenged; or
(ii) in the case of a complaint based solely on grounds arising after such period, within 90 days after
the complainant knew or reasonably should have known of the grounds for
the complaint.
(2)
Venue
Any complaint seeking judicial review of any provision of this title or any action of the Secretary
under this title may be filed only in the United States Court of Appeals
for the District of Columbia.
(3)
Limitation on scope of certain review
Judicial review of a Secretarial decision to conduct a lease sale under this title, including the
environmental analysis thereof, shall be limited to whether the Secretary
has complied with this title and shall be based upon the administrative
record of that decision. The Secretary’s identification of a preferred
course of action to enable leasing to proceed and the Secretary’s analysis
of environmental effects under this title shall be presumed to be correct
unless shown otherwise by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.
(b)
Limitation on other review
Actions of the Secretary with respect to which review could have been obtained under this section
shall not be subject to judicial review in any civil or criminal
proceeding for enforcement.
(c)
Limitation on attorneys’ fees and court costs
No person seeking judicial review of any action under this title shall receive payment from the
Federal Government for their attorneys’ fees and other court costs,
including under any provision of law enacted by the Equal Access to
Justice Act (5 U.S.C. 504 note).
2010.
Treatment of revenues
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 50 percent of the amount of bonus, rental, and royalty
revenues from Federal oil and gas leasing and operations authorized under
this title shall be deposited in the Treasury.
2011.
Rights-of-way across the Coastal Plain
(a)
In general
The Secretary shall issue rights-of-way and easements across the Coastal Plain for the
transportation of oil and gas produced under leases under this title—
(1) except as provided in paragraph (2), under section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 185),
without regard to title XI of the Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3161 et seq.); and
(2) under title XI of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (30 U.S.C. 3161 et seq.), for
access authorized by sections 1110 and 1111 of that Act (16 U.S.C. 3170
and 3171).
(b)
Terms and conditions
The Secretary shall include in any right-of-way or easement issued under subsection (a) such terms
and conditions as may be necessary to ensure that transportation of oil
and gas does not result in a significant adverse effect on the fish and
wildlife, subsistence resources, their habitat, and the environment of the
Coastal Plain, including requirements that facilities be sited or designed
so as to avoid unnecessary duplication of roads and pipelines.
(c)
Regulations
The Secretary shall include in regulations under section 2003(g) provisions granting rights-of-way
and easements described in subsection (a) of this section.
2012.
Conveyance
In order to maximize Federal revenues by removing clouds on title to lands and clarifying land
ownership patterns within the Coastal Plain, the Secretary,
notwithstanding section 1302(h)(2) of the Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3192(h)(2)), shall convey—
(1) to the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation the surface estate of the lands described in paragraph 1 of
Public Land Order 6959, to the extent necessary to fulfill the
Corporation’s entitlement under sections 12 and 14 of the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1611 and 1613) in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Agreement between the Department of the
Interior, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land
Management, and the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation dated January 22, 1993;
and
(2) to the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation the remaining subsurface estate to which it is entitled
pursuant to the August 9, 1983, agreement between the Arctic Slope
Regional Corporation and the United States of America.
XII
State control on all available Federal land
3001.
State control on all available Federal land
(a)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Available federal land
The term available Federal land means any Federal land that, as of May 31, 2013—
(A) is located within the boundaries of a State;
(B) is not held by the United States in trust for the benefit of a federally recognized Indian tribe;
(C) is not a unit of the National Park System;
(D) is not a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System; and
(E) is not a Congressionally designated wilderness area.
(2)
Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
(3)
State
The term State means—
(A) a State; and
(B) the District of Columbia.
(b)
State programs
(1)
In general
A State—
(A) may establish a program covering the leasing and permitting processes, regulatory requirements, and
any other provisions by which the State would exercise its rights on
available Federal land in the State; and
(B) as a condition of certification under subsection (c)(2) shall submit a declaration to the
Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Energy that a program under
subparagraph (A) has been established or amended.
(2)
Amendment of programs
A State may amend a program developed and certified under this section at any time.
(3)
Certification of amended programs
Any program amended under paragraph (2) shall be certified under subsection (c)(2).
(c)
Leasing, permitting, and regulatory programs
(1)
Satisfaction of federal requirements
Each program certified under this section shall be considered to satisfy all applicable
requirements of Federal law (including regulations), including—
(A) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);
(B) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and
(C) the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.).
(2)
Federal certification and transfer of development rights
Upon submission of a declaration by a State under subsection (b)(1)(B)—
(A) the program under subsection (b)(1)(A) shall be certified; and
(B) the State shall receive all rights from the Federal Government to develop all resources covered by
the program.
(3)
Issuance of permits and leases
If a State elects to issue a permit or lease for the development of any resource on any available
Federal land within the borders of the State in accordance with a program
certified under paragraph (2), the permit or lease shall be considered to
meet all applicable requirements of Federal law (including regulations).
(d)
Judicial review
Activities carried out in accordance with this title shall not be subject to judicial review.
(e)
Administrative procedure act
Activities carried out in accordance with this title shall not be subject to subchapter II of
chapter 5, and chapter 7, of title 5, United States Code (commonly known
as the Administrative Procedure Act).
XIII
Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security
A
Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security
4001.
Short title
This subtitle may be cited as the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act.
4002.
Policies regarding buying, building, and working for America
(a)
Congressional intent
It is the intent of the Congress that—
(1) this title will support a healthy and growing United States domestic energy sector that, in turn,
helps to reinvigorate American manufacturing, transportation, and service
sectors by employing the vast talents of United States workers to assist
in the development of energy from domestic sources;
(2) to ensure a robust onshore energy production industry and ensure that the benefits of development
support local communities, under this title, the Secretary shall make
every effort to promote the development of onshore American energy, and
shall take into consideration the socioeconomic impacts, infrastructure
requirements, and fiscal stability for local communities located within
areas containing onshore energy resources; and
(3) the Congress will monitor the deployment of personnel and material onshore to encourage the
development of American manufacturing to enable United States workers to
benefit from this subtitle through good jobs and careers, as well as the
establishment of important industrial facilities to support expanded
access to American resources.
(b)
Requirement
The Secretary of the Interior shall when possible, and practicable, encourage the use of United
States workers and equipment manufactured in the United States in all
construction related to mineral resource development under this subtitle.
1
Onshore oil and gas permit streamlining
4101.
Short title
This chapter may be cited as the Streamlining Permitting of American Energy Act of 2014.
A
Application for Permits To Drill Process Reform
4111.
Permit to drill application timeline
Section 17(p)(2) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(p)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
(2)
Applications for permits to drill reform and process
(A)
Timeline
The Secretary shall decide whether to issue a permit to drill within 30 days after receiving an
application for the permit. The Secretary may extend such period for up to
2 periods of 15 days each, if the Secretary has given written notice of
the delay to the applicant. The notice shall be in the form of a letter
from the Secretary or a designee of the Secretary, and shall include the
names and titles of the persons processing the application, the specific
reasons for the delay, and a specific date a final decision on the
application is expected.
(B)
Notice of reasons for denial
If the application is denied, the Secretary shall provide the applicant—
(i) in writing, clear and comprehensive reasons why the application was not accepted and detailed
information concerning any deficiencies; and
(ii) an opportunity to remedy any deficiencies.
(C)
Application deemed approved
If the Secretary has not made a decision on the application by the end of the 60-day period
beginning on the date the application is received by the Secretary, the
application is deemed approved, except in cases in which existing reviews
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.) or Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) are
incomplete.
(D)
Denial of permit
If the Secretary decides not to issue a permit to drill in accordance with subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall—
(i) provide to the applicant a description of the reasons for the denial of the permit;
(ii) allow the applicant to resubmit an application for a permit to drill during the 10-day period
beginning on the date the applicant receives the description of the denial
from the Secretary; and
(iii) issue or deny any resubmitted application not later than 10 days after the date the application is
submitted to the Secretary.
(E)
Fee
(i)
In general
Notwithstanding any other law, the Secretary shall collect a single $6,500 permit processing fee
per application from each applicant at the time the final decision is made
whether to issue a permit under subparagraph (A). This fee shall not apply
to any resubmitted application.
(ii)
Treatment of permit processing fee
Of all fees collected under this paragraph, 50 percent shall be transferred to the field office
where they are collected and used to process protests, leases, and permits
under this Act subject to appropriation.
.
4112.
Solar and wind right-of-way rental reform
(a)
In general
Subject to subsection (b), and notwithstanding any other provision of law, of fees collected each
fiscal year as annual wind energy and solar energy right-of-way
authorization fees required under section 504(g) of the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1764(g))—
(1) no less than 25 percent shall be available, subject to appropriation, for use for solar and wind
permitting and management activities by Department of the Interior field
offices responsible for the land where the fees were collected;
(2) no less than 25 percent shall be available, subject to appropriation, for Bureau of Land Management
solar and wind permit approval activities; and
(3) no less than 25 percent shall be available, subject to appropriation, to the Secretary of the
Interior for department-wide solar and wind permitting activities.
(b)
Limitation
The amount used under subsection (a) each fiscal year shall not exceed $5,000,000.
B
Administrative Protest Documentation Reform
4121.
Administrative protest documentation reform
Section 17(p) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(p)) is further amended by adding at the end
the following:
(4)
Protest fee
(A)
In general
The Secretary shall collect a $5,000 documentation fee to accompany each protest for a lease,
right-of-way, or application for permit to drill.
(B)
Treatment of fees
Of all fees collected under this paragraph, 50 percent shall remain in the field office where they
are collected and used to process protests subject to appropriation.
.
C
Permit Streamlining
4131.
Improve Federal energy permit coordination
(a)
Establishment
The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this section as the Secretary) shall establish a Federal Permit Streamlining Project (referred to in this section as the Project) in every Bureau of Land Management field office with responsibility for permitting energy
projects on Federal land.
(b)
Memorandum of understanding
(1)
In general
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into a
memorandum of understanding for purposes of this section with—
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture;
(B) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; and
(C) the Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers.
(2)
State participation
The Secretary may request that the Governor of any State with energy projects on Federal lands to
be a signatory to the memorandum of understanding.
(c)
Designation of qualified staff
(1)
In general
Not later than 30 days after the date of the signing of the memorandum of understanding under
subsection (b), all Federal signatory parties shall, if appropriate,
assign to each of the Bureau of Land Management field offices an employee
who has expertise in the regulatory issues relating to the office in which
the employee is employed, including, as applicable, particular expertise
in—
(A) the consultations and the preparation of biological opinions under section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536);
(B) permits under section 404 of Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1344);
(C) regulatory matters under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);
(D) planning under the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a et seq.); and
(E) the preparation of analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.).
(2)
Duties
Each employee assigned under paragraph (1) shall—
(A) not later than 90 days after the date of assignment, report to the Bureau of Land Management Field
Managers in the office to which the employee is assigned;
(B) be responsible for all issues relating to the energy projects that arise under the authorities of
the employee’s home agency; and
(C) participate as part of the team of personnel working on proposed energy projects, planning, and
environmental analyses on Federal lands.
(d)
Additional personnel
The Secretary shall assign to each Bureau of Land Management field office identified in subsection
(a) any additional personnel that are necessary to ensure the effective
approval and implementation of energy projects administered by the Bureau
of Land Management field offices, including inspection and enforcement
relating to energy development on Federal land, in accordance with the
multiple use mandate of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
(43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
(e)
Funding
Funding for the additional personnel shall come from the Department of the Interior reforms
identified in sections 4111, 4112, and 4121.
(f)
Savings provision
Nothing in this section affects—
(1) the operation of any Federal or State law; or
(2) any delegation of authority made by the head of a Federal agency whose employees are participating
in the Project.
(g)
Definition
For purposes of this section the term energy projects includes oil, natural gas, coal, and other energy projects as defined by the Secretary.
4132.
Administration of current law
Notwithstanding any other law, the Secretary of the Interior shall not require a finding of
extraordinary circumstances in administering section 390 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15942).
D
Judicial Review
4141.
Definitions
In this subchapter—
(1) the term covered civil action means a civil action containing a claim under section 702 of title 5, United States Code,
regarding agency action (as defined for the purposes of that section)
affecting a covered energy project on Federal lands of the United States;
and
(2) the term covered energy project means the leasing of Federal lands of the United States for the exploration, development,
production, processing, or transmission of oil, natural gas, wind, or any
other source of energy, and any action under such a lease, except that the
term does not include any disputes between the parties to a lease
regarding the obligations under such lease, including regarding any
alleged breach of the lease.
4142.
Exclusive venue for certain civil actions relating to covered energy projects
Venue for any covered civil action shall lie in the district court where the project or leases
exist or are proposed.
4143.
Timely filing
To ensure timely redress by the courts, a covered civil action must be filed no later than the end
of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the final Federal agency
action to which it relates.
4144.
Expedition in hearing and determining the action
The court shall endeavor to hear and determine any covered civil action as expeditiously as
possible.
4145.
Standard of review
In any judicial review of a covered civil action, administrative findings and conclusions relating
to the challenged Federal action or decision shall be presumed to be
correct, and the presumption may be rebutted only by the preponderance of
the evidence contained in the administrative record.
4146.
Limitation on injunction and prospective relief
In a covered civil action, the court shall not grant or approve any prospective relief unless the
court finds that such relief is narrowly drawn, extends no further than
necessary to correct the violation of a legal requirement, and is the
least intrusive means necessary to correct that violation. In addition,
courts shall limit the duration of preliminary injunctions to halt covered
energy projects to no more than 60 days, unless the court finds clear
reasons to extend the injunction. In such cases of extensions, such
extensions shall only be in 30-day increments and shall require action by
the court to renew the injunction.
4147.
Limitation on attorneys’ fees
Sections 504 of title 5, United States Code, and 2412 of title 28, United States Code (together
commonly called the Equal Access to Justice Act), do not apply to a
covered
civil action, nor shall any party in such a covered civil action receive
payment from the Federal Government for their attorneys’ fees, expenses,
and other court costs.
4148.
Legal standing
Challengers filing appeals with the Department of the Interior Board of Land Appeals shall meet the
same standing requirements as challengers before a United States district
court.
E
Knowing America’s Oil and Gas Resources
4151.
Funding oil and gas resource assessments
(a)
In general
The Secretary of the Interior shall provide matching funding for joint projects with States to
conduct oil and gas resource assessments on Federal lands with significant
oil and gas potential.
(b)
Cost sharing
The Federal share of the cost of activities under this section shall not exceed 50 percent.
(c)
Resource assessment
Any resource assessment under this section shall be conducted by a State, in consultation with the
United States Geological Survey.
(d)
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section a total of
$50,000,000 for fiscal years 2014 through 2017.
2
Oil and gas leasing certainty
4161.
Short title
This chapter may be cited as the Providing Leasing Certainty for American Energy Act of 2014.
4162.
Minimum acreage requirement for onshore lease sales
In conducting lease sales as required by section 17(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C.
226(a)), each year the Secretary of the Interior shall perform the
following:
(1) The Secretary shall offer for sale no less than 25 percent of the annual nominated acreage not
previously made available for lease. Acreage offered for lease pursuant to
this paragraph shall not be subject to protest and shall be eligible for
categorical exclusions under section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(42 U.S.C. 15942), except that it shall not be subject to the test of
extraordinary circumstances.
(2) In administering this section, the Secretary shall only consider leasing of Federal lands that are
available for leasing at the time the lease sale occurs.
4163.
Leasing certainty
Section 17(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(a)) is amended by inserting (1) before All lands, and by adding at the end the following:
(2)
(A) The Secretary shall not withdraw any covered energy project issued under this Act without finding a
violation of the terms of the lease by the lessee.
(B) The Secretary shall not infringe upon lease rights under leases issued under this Act by
indefinitely delaying issuance of project approvals, drilling and seismic
permits, and rights of way for activities under such a lease.
(C) No later than 18 months after an area is designated as open under the current land use plan the
Secretary shall make available nominated areas for lease under the
criteria in section 2.
(D) Notwithstanding any other law, the Secretary shall issue all leases sold no later than 60 days
after the last payment is made.
(E) The Secretary shall not cancel or withdraw any lease parcel after a competitive lease sale has
occurred and a winning bidder has submitted the last payment for the
parcel.
(F) Not later than 60 days after a lease sale held under this Act, the Secretary shall adjudicate any
lease protests filed following a lease sale. If after 60 days any protest
is left unsettled, said protest is automatically denied and appeal rights
of the protestor begin.
(G) No additional lease stipulations may be added after the parcel is sold without consultation and
agreement of the lessee, unless the Secretary deems such stipulations as
emergency actions to conserve the resources of the United States.
.
4164.
Leasing consistency
Federal land managers must follow existing resource management plans and continue to actively lease
in areas designated as open when resource management plans are being
amended or revised, until such time as a new record of decision is signed.
4165.
Reduce redundant policies
Bureau of Land Management Instruction Memorandum 2010–117 shall have no force or effect.
4166.
Streamlined congressional notification
Section 31(e) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 188(e)) is amended in the matter following
paragraph (4) by striking at least thirty days in advance of the reinstatement and inserting in an annual report.
3
Oil shale
4171.
Short title
This chapter may be cited as the Protecting Investment in Oil Shale the Next Generation of Environmental, Energy, and Resource
Security Act or the PIONEERS Act.
4172.
Effectiveness of oil shale regulations, amendments to resource management plans, and record of
decision
(a)
Regulations
Notwithstanding any other law or regulation to the contrary, the final regulations regarding oil
shale management published by the Bureau of Land Management on November
18, 2008 (73 Fed. Reg. 69,414) are deemed to satisfy all legal and
procedural requirements under any law, including the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and the
Secretary of the Interior shall implement those regulations, including the
oil shale leasing program authorized by the regulations, without any other
administrative action necessary.
(b)
Amendments to resource management plans and record of decision
Notwithstanding any other law or regulation to the contrary, the November 17, 2008 U.S. Bureau of
Land Management Approved Resource Management Plan Amendments/Record of
Decision for Oil Shale and Tar Sands Resources to Address Land Use
Allocations in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming and Final Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement are deemed to satisfy all legal and
procedural requirements under any law, including the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and the
Secretary of the Interior shall implement the oil shale leasing program
authorized by the regulations referred to in subsection (a) in those areas
covered by the resource management plans amended by such amendments, and
covered by such record of decision, without any other administrative
action necessary.
4173.
Oil shale leasing
(a)
Additional research and development lease sales
The Secretary of the Interior shall hold a lease sale within 180 days after the date of enactment
of this Act offering an additional 10 parcels for lease for research,
development, and demonstration of oil shale resources, under the terms
offered in the solicitation of bids for such leases published on January
15, 2009 (74 Fed. Reg. 10).
(b)
Commercial lease sales
No later than January 1, 2016, the Secretary of the Interior shall hold no less than 5 separate
commercial lease sales in areas considered to have the most potential for
oil shale development, as determined by the Secretary, in areas nominated
through public comment. Each lease sale shall be for an area of not less
than 25,000 acres, and in multiple lease blocs.
4
Miscellaneous provisions
4181.
Rule of construction
Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to authorize the issuance of a lease under the Mineral
Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) to any person designated for the
imposition of sanctions pursuant to—
(1) the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note), the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions,
Accountability and Divestiture Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.), the
Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8701
et seq.), section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8513a), or the Iran Freedom and
Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8801 et seq.);
(2) Executive Order No. 13622 (July 30, 2012), Executive Order No. 13628 (October 9, 2012), or
Executive Order No. 13645 (June 3, 2013);
(3) Executive Order No. 13224 (September 23, 2001) or Executive Order No. 13338 (May 11, 2004); or
(4) the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note).
B
Planning for American Energy
4201.
Short title
This subtitle may be cited as the Planning for American Energy Act of 2014.
4202.
Onshore domestic energy production strategic plan
(a)
In general
The Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended by redesignating section 44 as section
45, and by inserting after section 43 the following:
44.
Quadrennial Strategic Federal Onshore Energy Production Strategy
(a)
In general
(1) The Secretary of the Interior (hereafter in this section referred to as Secretary), in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture with regard to lands administered by the
Forest Service, shall develop and publish every 4 years a Quadrennial
Federal Onshore Energy Production Strategy. This Strategy shall direct
Federal land energy development and department resource allocation in
order to promote the energy and national security of the United States in
accordance with Bureau of Land Management’s mission of promoting the
multiple use of Federal lands as set forth in the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
(2) In developing this Strategy, the Secretary shall consult with the Administrator of the Energy
Information Administration on the projected energy demands of the United
States for the next 30-year period, and how energy derived from Federal
onshore lands can put the United States on a trajectory to meet that
demand during the next 4-year period. The Secretary shall consider how
Federal lands will contribute to ensuring national energy security, with a
goal for increasing energy independence and production, during the next
4-year period.
(3) The Secretary shall determine a domestic strategic production objective for the development of
energy resources from Federal onshore lands. Such objective shall be—
(A) the best estimate, based upon commercial and scientific data, of the expected increase in domestic
production of oil and natural gas from the Federal onshore mineral estate,
with a focus on lands held by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest
Service;
(B) the best estimate, based upon commercial and scientific data, of the expected increase in domestic
coal production from Federal lands;
(C) the best estimate, based upon commercial and scientific data, of the expected increase in domestic
production of strategic and critical energy minerals from the Federal
onshore mineral estate;
(D) the best estimate, based upon commercial and scientific data, of the expected increase in megawatts
for electricity production from each of the following sources: wind,
solar, biomass, hydropower, and geothermal energy produced on Federal
lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest
Service;
(E) the best estimate, based upon commercial and scientific data, of the expected increase in
unconventional energy production, such as oil shale;
(F) the best estimate, based upon commercial and scientific data, of the expected increase in domestic
production of oil, natural gas, coal, and other renewable sources from
tribal lands for any federally recognized Indian tribe that elects to
participate in facilitating energy production on its lands;
(G) the best estimate, based upon commercial and scientific data, of the expected increase in
production of helium on Federal lands administered by the Bureau of Land
Management and the Forest Service; and
(H) the best estimate, based upon commercial and scientific data, of the expected increase in domestic
production of geothermal, solar, wind, or other renewable energy sources
from available lands (as such term is defined in section 203 of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920 (42 Stat. 108
et seq.), and including any other lands deemed by the Territory or State
of Hawaii, as the case may be, to be included within that definition) that
the agency or department of the government of the State of Hawaii that is
responsible for the administration of such lands selects to be used for
such energy production.
(4) The Secretary shall consult with the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration
regarding the methodology used to arrive at its estimates for purposes of
this section.
(5) The Secretary has the authority to expand the energy development plan to include other energy
production technology sources or advancements in energy on Federal lands.
(6) The Secretary shall include in the Strategy a plan for addressing new demands for transmission
lines and pipelines for distribution of oil and gas across Federal lands
to ensure that energy produced can be distributed to areas of need.
(b)
Tribal objectives
It is the sense of Congress that federally recognized Indian tribes may elect to set their own
production objectives as part of the Strategy under this section. The
Secretary shall work in cooperation with any federally recognized Indian
tribe that elects to participate in achieving its own strategic energy
objectives designated under this subsection.
(c)
Execution of the Strategy
The relevant Secretary shall have all necessary authority to make determinations regarding which
additional lands will be made available in order to meet the production
objectives established by strategies under this section. The Secretary
shall also take all necessary actions to achieve these production
objectives unless the President determines that it is not in the national
security and economic interests of the United States to increase Federal
domestic energy production and to further decrease dependence upon foreign
sources of energy. In administering this section, the relevant Secretary
shall only consider leasing Federal lands available for leasing at the
time the lease sale occurs.
(d)
State, federally recognized Indian tribes, local government, and public input
In developing each strategy, the Secretary shall solicit the input of affected States, federally
recognized Indian tribes, local governments, and the public.
(e)
Reporting
The Secretary shall report annually to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate on the progress of meeting the production goals set forth in the
strategy. The Secretary shall identify in the report projections for
production and capacity installations and any problems with leasing,
permitting, siting, or production that will prevent meeting the goal. In
addition, the Secretary shall make suggestions to help meet any shortfalls
in meeting the production goals.
(f)
Programmatic environmental impact statement
Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this section, in accordance with section
102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4332(2)(C)), the Secretary shall complete a programmatic environmental
impact statement. This programmatic environmental impact statement will be
deemed sufficient to comply with all requirements under that Act for all
necessary resource management and land use plans associated with the
implementation of the strategy.
(g)
Congressional review
At least 60 days prior to publishing a proposed strategy under this section, the Secretary shall
submit it to the President and the Congress, together with any comments
received from States, federally recognized Indian tribes, and local
governments. Such submission shall indicate why any specific
recommendation of a State, federally recognized Indian tribe, or local
government was not accepted.
(h)
Strategic and critical energy minerals defined
For purposes of this section, the term strategic and critical energy minerals means those that are necessary for the Nation’s energy infrastructure including pipelines,
refining capacity, electrical power generation and transmission, and
renewable energy production and those that are necessary to support
domestic manufacturing, including but not limited to, materials used in
energy generation, production, and transportation.
.
(b)
First Quadrennial Strategy
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior
shall submit to Congress the first Quadrennial Federal Onshore Energy
Production Strategy under the amendment made by subsection (a).
C
National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska access
4301.
Short title
This subtitle may be cited as the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act.
4302.
Sense of Congress and reaffirming national policy for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska remains explicitly designated, both in name and legal
status, for purposes of providing oil and natural gas resources to the
United States; and
(2) accordingly, the national policy is to actively advance oil and gas development within the Reserve
by facilitating the expeditious exploration, production, and
transportation of oil and natural gas from and through the Reserve.
4303.
National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska: lease sales
Section 107(a) of the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6506a(a)) is
amended to read as follows:
(a)
In General
The Secretary shall conduct an expeditious program of competitive leasing of oil and gas in the
reserve in accordance with this Act. Such program shall include at least
one lease sale annually in those areas of the reserve most likely to
produce commercial quantities of oil and natural gas each year in the
period 2015 through 2025.
.
4304.
National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska: planning and permitting pipeline and road construction
(a)
In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with
other appropriate Federal agencies, shall facilitate and ensure permits,
in a timely and environmentally responsible manner, for all surface
development activities, including for the construction of pipelines and
roads, necessary to—
(1) develop and bring into production any areas within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska that
are subject to oil and gas leases; and
(2) transport oil and gas from and through the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska in the most direct
manner possible to existing transportation or processing infrastructure on
the North Slope of Alaska.
(b)
Timeline
The Secretary shall ensure that any Federal permitting agency shall issue permits in accordance
with the following timeline:
(1) Permits for such construction for transportation of oil and natural gas produced under existing
Federal oil and gas leases with respect to which the Secretary has issued
a permit to drill shall be approved within 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(2) Permits for such construction for transportation of oil and natural gas produced under Federal oil
and gas leases shall be approved within 6 months after the submission to
the Secretary of a request for a permit to drill.
(c)
Plan
To ensure timely future development of the Reserve, within 270 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to Congress a plan
for approved rights-of-way for a plan for pipeline, road, and any other
surface infrastructure that may be necessary infrastructure that will
ensure that all leasable tracts in the Reserve are within 25 miles of an
approved road and pipeline right-of-way that can serve future development
of the Reserve.
4305.
Issuance of a new integrated activity plan and environmental impact statement
(a)
Issuance of new integrated activity plan
The Secretary of the Interior shall, within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
issue—
(1) a new proposed integrated activity plan from among the non-adopted alternatives in the National
Petroleum Reserve Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision
issued by the Secretary of the Interior and dated February 21, 2013; and
(2) an environmental impact statement under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) for issuance of oil and gas leases in the
National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska to promote efficient and maximum
development of oil and natural gas resources of such reserve.
(b)
Nullification of existing record of decision, IAP, and EIS
Except as provided in subsection (a), the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska Integrated Activity
Plan Record of Decision issued by the Secretary of the Interior and dated
February 21, 2013, including the integrated activity plan and
environmental impact statement referred to in that record of decision,
shall have no force or effect.
4306.
Departmental accountability for development
The Secretary of the Interior shall issue regulations not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act that establish clear requirements to ensure that the
Department of the Interior is supporting development of oil and gas leases
in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
4307.
Deadlines under new proposed integrated activity plan
At a minimum, the new proposed integrated activity plan issued under section 4305(a)(1) shall—
(1) require the Department of the Interior to respond within 5 business days to a person who submits an
application for a permit for development of oil and natural gas leases in
the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska acknowledging receipt of such
application; and
(2) establish a timeline for the processing of each such application, that—
(A) specifies deadlines for decisions and actions on permit applications; and
(B) provides that the period for issuing each permit after submission of such an application shall not
exceed 60 days without the concurrence of the applicant.
4308.
Updated resource assessment
(a)
In general
The Secretary of the Interior shall complete a comprehensive assessment of all technically
recoverable fossil fuel resources within the National Petroleum Reserve in
Alaska, including all conventional and unconventional oil and natural gas.
(b)
Cooperation and consultation
The resource assessment required by subsection (a) shall be carried out by the United States
Geological Survey in cooperation and consultation with the State of Alaska
and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
(c)
Timing
The resource assessment required by subsection (a) shall be completed within 24 months of the date
of the enactment of this Act.
(d)
Funding
The United States Geological Survey may, in carrying out the duties under this section,
cooperatively use resources and funds provided by the State of Alaska.
D
BLM Live Internet Auctions
4401.
Short title
This subtitle may be cited as the BLM Live Internet Auctions Act.
4402.
Internet-based onshore oil and gas lease sales
(a)
Authorization
Section 17(b)(1) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(b)(1)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (A), in the third sentence, by inserting , except as provided in subparagraph (C) after by oral bidding; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
(C) In order to diversify and expand the Nation’s onshore leasing program to ensure the best return to
the Federal taxpayer, reduce fraud, and secure the leasing process, the
Secretary may conduct onshore lease sales through Internet-based bidding
methods. Each individual Internet-based lease sale shall conclude within 7
days.
.
(b)
Report
Not later than 90 days after the tenth Internet-based lease sale conducted under the amendment made
by subsection (a), the Secretary of the Interior shall analyze the first
10 such lease sales and report to Congress the findings of the analysis.
The report shall include—
(1) estimates on increases or decreases in such lease sales, compared to sales conducted by oral
bidding, in—
(A) the number of bidders;
(B) the average amount of bid;
(C) the highest amount bid; and
(D) the lowest bid;
(2) an estimate on the total cost or savings to the Department of the Interior as a result of such
sales, compared to sales conducted by oral bidding; and
(3) an evaluation of the demonstrated or expected effectiveness of different structures for lease sales
which may provide an opportunity to better maximize bidder participation,
ensure the highest return to the Federal taxpayers, minimize opportunities
for fraud or collusion, and ensure the security and integrity of the
leasing process.
E
Native American Energy
4501.
Short title
This subtitle may be cited as the Native American Energy Act.
4502.
Appraisals
(a)
Amendment
Title XXVI of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
2607.
Appraisal reforms
(a)
Options to Indian Tribes
With respect to a transaction involving Indian land or the trust assets of an Indian tribe that
requires the approval of the Secretary, any appraisal relating to fair
market value required to be conducted under applicable law, regulation, or
policy may be completed by—
(1) the Secretary;
(2) the affected Indian tribe; or
(3) a certified, third-party appraiser pursuant to a contract with the Indian tribe.
(b)
Time Limit on Secretarial Review and Action
Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary receives an appraisal conducted by or
for an Indian tribe pursuant to paragraphs (2) or (3) of subsection (a),
the Secretary shall—
(1) review the appraisal; and
(2) provide to the Indian tribe a written notice of approval or disapproval of the appraisal.
(c)
Failure of Secretary To Approve or Disapprove
If, after 60 days, the Secretary has failed to approve or disapprove any appraisal received, the
appraisal shall be deemed approved.
(d)
Option to Indian Tribes To Waive Appraisal
(1) An Indian tribe wishing to waive the requirements of subsection (a), may do so after it has
satisfied the requirements of subsections (2) and (3) below.
(2) An Indian tribe wishing to forego the necessity of a waiver pursuant to this section must provide
to the Secretary a written resolution, statement, or other unambiguous
indication of tribal intent, duly approved by the governing body of the
Indian tribe.
(3) The unambiguous indication of intent provided by the Indian tribe to the Secretary under paragraph
(2) must include an express waiver by the Indian tribe of any claims for
damages it might have against the United States as a result of the lack of
an appraisal undertaken.
(e)
Definition
For purposes of this section, the term appraisal includes appraisals and other estimates of value.
(f)
Regulations
The Secretary shall develop regulations for implementing this section, including standards the
Secretary shall use for approving or disapproving an appraisal.
.
(b)
Conforming amendment
The table of contents of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13201 note) is amended by adding
at the end of the items relating to title XXVI the following:
Sec. 2607. Appraisal reforms.
.
4503.
Standardization
As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior
shall implement procedures to ensure that each agency within the
Department of the Interior that is involved in the review, approval, and
oversight of oil and gas activities on Indian lands shall use a uniform
system of reference numbers and tracking systems for oil and gas wells.
4504.
Environmental reviews of major Federal actions on Indian lands
Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332) is amended by
inserting (a) In general.— before the first sentence, and by adding at the end the following:
(b)
Review of major Federal actions on Indian lands
(1)
In general
For any major Federal action on Indian lands of an Indian tribe requiring the preparation of a
statement under subsection (a)(2)(C), the statement shall only be
available for review and comment by the members of the Indian tribe and by
any other individual residing within the affected area.
(2)
Regulations
The Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality shall develop regulations to implement this
section, including descriptions of affected areas for specific major
Federal actions, in consultation with Indian tribes.
(3)
Definitions
In this subsection, each of the terms Indian land and Indian tribe has the meaning given that term in section 2601 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3501).
(4)
Clarification of authority
Nothing in the Native American Energy Act, except section 5006 of that Act, shall give the
Secretary any additional authority over energy projects on Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act lands.
.
4505.
Judicial review
(a)
Time for filing complaint
Any energy related action must be filed not later than the end of the 60-day period beginning on
the date of the final agency action. Any energy related action not filed
within this time period shall be barred.
(b)
District court venue and deadline
All energy related actions—
(1) shall be brought in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia; and
(2) shall be resolved as expeditiously as possible, and in any event not more than 180 days after such
cause of action is filed.
(c)
Appellate review
An interlocutory order or final judgment, decree or order of the district court in an energy
related action may be reviewed by the United States Court of Appeals for
the District of Columbia Circuit. The District of Columbia Circuit Court
of Appeals shall resolve such appeal as expeditiously as possible, and in
any event not more than 180 days after such interlocutory order or final
judgment, decree or order of the district court was issued.
(d)
Limitation on certain payments
Notwithstanding section 1304 of title 31, United States Code, no award may be made under section
504 of title 5, United States Code, or under section 2412 of title 28,
United States Code, and no amounts may be obligated or expended from the
Claims and Judgment Fund of the United States Treasury to pay any fees or
other expenses under such sections, to any person or party in an energy
related action.
(e)
Legal fees
In any energy related action in which the plaintiff does not ultimately prevail, the court shall
award to the defendant (including any intervenor-defendants), other than
the United States, fees and other expenses incurred by that party in
connection with the energy related action, unless the court finds that the
position of the plaintiff was substantially justified or that special
circumstances make an award unjust. Whether or not the position of the
plaintiff was substantially justified shall be determined on the basis of
the administrative record, as a whole, which is made in the energy related
action for which fees and other expenses are sought.
(f)
Definitions
For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)
Agency action
The term agency action has the same meaning given such term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
(2)
Indian land
The term Indian Land has the same meaning given such term in section 203(c)(3) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public
Law 109–58; 25 U.S.C. 3501), including lands owned by Native Corporations
under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (Public Law 92–203; 43
U.S.C. 1601).
(3)
Energy related action
The term energy related action means a cause of action that—
(A) is filed on or after the effective date of this Act; and
(B) seeks judicial review of a final agency action to issue a permit, license, or other form of agency
permission allowing—
(i) any person or entity to conduct activities on Indian Land, which activities involve the
exploration, development, production or transportation of oil, gas, coal,
shale gas, oil shale, geothermal resources, wind or solar resources,
underground coal gasification, biomass, or the generation of electricity;
or
(ii) any Indian Tribe, or any organization of 2 or more entities, at least 1 of which is an Indian
tribe, to conduct activities involving the exploration, development,
production or transportation of oil, gas, coal, shale gas, oil shale,
geothermal resources, wind or solar resources, underground coal
gasification, biomass, or the generation of electricity, regardless of
where such activities are undertaken.
(4)
Ultimately prevail
The term ultimately prevail means, in a final enforceable judgment, the court rules in the party’s favor on at least 1 cause
of action that is an underlying rationale for the preliminary injunction,
administrative stay, or other relief requested by the party, and does not
include circumstances where the final agency action is modified or amended
by the issuing agency unless such modification or amendment is required
pursuant to a final enforceable judgment of the court or a court-ordered
consent decree.
4506.
Tribal biomass demonstration project
The Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 is amended by inserting after section 2 (25 U.S.C. 3115a)
the following:
3.
Tribal biomass demonstration project
(a)
In general
For each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019, the Secretary shall enter into stewardship contracts or
other agreements, other than agreements that are exclusively direct
service contracts, with Indian tribes to carry out demonstration projects
to promote biomass energy production (including biofuel, heat, and
electricity generation) on Indian forest land and in nearby communities by
providing reliable supplies of woody biomass from Federal land.
(b)
Definitions
The definitions in section 2 shall apply to this section.
(c)
Demonstration projects
In each fiscal year for which projects are authorized, the Secretary shall enter into contracts or
other agreements described in subsection (a) to carry out at least 4 new
demonstration projects that meet the eligibility criteria described in
subsection (d).
(d)
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to enter into a contract or other agreement under this subsection, an Indian tribe
shall submit to the Secretary an application—
(1) containing such information as the Secretary may require; and
(2) that includes a description of—
(A) the Indian forest land or rangeland under the jurisdiction of the Indian tribe; and
(B) the demonstration project proposed to be carried out by the Indian tribe.
(e)
Selection
In evaluating the applications submitted under subsection (c), the Secretary—
(1) shall take into consideration the factors set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 2(e) of
Public Law 108–278; and whether a proposed demonstration project would—
(A) increase the availability or reliability of local or regional energy;
(B) enhance the economic development of the Indian tribe;
(C) improve the connection of electric power transmission facilities serving the Indian tribe with
other electric transmission facilities;
(D) improve the forest health or watersheds of Federal land or Indian forest land or rangeland; or
(E) otherwise promote the use of woody biomass; and
(2) shall exclude from consideration any merchantable logs that have been identified by the Secretary
for commercial sale.
(f)
Implementation
The Secretary shall—
(1) ensure that the criteria described in subsection (c) are publicly available by not later than 120
days after the date of enactment of this section; and
(2) to the maximum extent practicable, consult with Indian tribes and appropriate intertribal
organizations likely to be affected in developing the application and
otherwise carrying out this section.
(g)
Report
Not later than September 20, 2015, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes,
with respect to the reporting period—
(1) each individual tribal application received under this section; and
(2) each contract and agreement entered into pursuant to this section.
(h)
Incorporation of management plans
In carrying out a contract or agreement under this section, on receipt of a request from an Indian
tribe, the Secretary shall incorporate into the contract or agreement, to
the extent practicable, management plans (including forest management and
integrated resource management plans) in effect on the Indian forest land
or rangeland of the respective Indian tribe.
(i)
Term
A stewardship contract or other agreement entered into under this section—
(1) shall be for a term of not more than 20 years; and
(2) may be renewed in accordance with this section for not more than an additional 10 years.
.
4507.
Tribal resource management plans
Unless otherwise explicitly exempted by Federal law enacted after the date of the enactment of this
Act, any activity conducted or resources harvested or produced pursuant to
a tribal resource management plan or an integrated resource management
plan approved by the Secretary of the Interior under the National Indian
Forest Resources Management Act (25 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) or the American
Indian Agricultural Resource Management Act (25 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.),
shall be considered a sustainable management practice for purposes of any
Federal standard, benefit, or requirement that requires a demonstration of
such sustainability.
4508.
Leases of restricted lands for the Navajo Nation
Subsection (e)(1) of the first section of the Act of August 9, 1955 (25 U.S.C. 415(e)(1); commonly
referred to as the Long-Term Leasing Act), is amended—
(1) by striking , except a lease for and inserting , including leases for;
(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking 25 the first place it appears and all that follows and inserting 99 years;;
(3) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
(C) in the case of a lease for the exploration, development, or extraction of mineral resources,
including geothermal resources, 25 years, except that any such lease may
include an option to renew for one additional term not to exceed 25 years.
.
4509.
Nonapplicability of certain rules
No rule promulgated by the Department of the Interior regarding hydraulic fracturing used in the
development or production of oil or gas resources shall have any effect on
any land held in trust or restricted status for the benefit of Indians
except with the express consent of the beneficiary on whose behalf such
land is held in trust or restricted status.
4510.
Permits for incidental take
Section 1 of the Act of June 8, 1940 (chapter 278; 16 U.S.C. 668), popularly known as the Bald and
Golden Eagle Protection Act, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
(d)
Permits for incidental take
Upon submission of a substantially completed application, the Secretary shall issue or deny an
eagle take permit for no less than 30 years under section 22.26 of title
50, Code of Federal Regulations, that authorizes taking of any bald eagle
or golden eagle that is incidental to, but not the purpose of, an
otherwise lawful activity. Failure to issue or deny such a permit within a
reasonable time (which shall not exceed one year) is deemed issuance of
such permit, and the applicant shall not be subject to liability for any
incidental take of a bald eagle or golden eagle that is in conformity with
the information submitted to the Secretary as part of the application for
the permit.
.
4511.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Section 6(a) of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 707(a)) is amended—
(1) by striking shall the first and second place it appears and inserting shall with intent knowingly; and
(2) by adding at the end the following: For the purposes of this subsection, with intent knowingly does not include any taking, killing, or other harm to any migratory bird that is accidental or
incidental to the presence or operation of an otherwise lawful activity..
XIV
Hydraulic Fracturing
A
State Authority for Hydraulic Fracturing Regulation
5101.
Short title
This title may be cited as the Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act.
5102.
State authority for hydraulic fracturing regulation
The Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended by redesignating section 44 as section
45, and by inserting after section 43 the following:
44.
State authority for hydraulic fracturing regulation
(a)
In general
The Department of the Interior shall not enforce any Federal regulation, guidance, or permit
requirement regarding hydraulic fracturing, or any component of that
process, relating to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities on or
under any land in any State that has regulations, guidance, or permit
requirements for that activity.
(b)
State authority
The Department of the Interior shall recognize and defer to State regulations, permitting, and
guidance, for all activities related to hydraulic fracturing, or any
component of that process, relating to oil, gas, or geothermal production
activities on Federal land.
(c)
Transparency of State regulations
(1)
In general
Each State shall submit to the Bureau of Land Management a copy of its regulations that apply to
hydraulic fracturing operations on Federal land.
(2)
Availability
The Secretary of the Interior shall make available to the public State regulations submitted under
this subsection.
(d)
Transparency of State disclosure requirements
(1)
In general
Each State shall submit to the Bureau of Land Management a copy of any regulations of the State
that require disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing
operations on Federal land.
(2)
Availability
The Secretary of the Interior shall make available to the public State regulations submitted under
this subsection.
(e)
Hydraulic fracturing defined
In this section the term hydraulic fracturing means the process by which fracturing fluids (or a fracturing fluid system) are pumped into an
underground geologic formation at a calculated, predetermined rate and
pressure to generate fractures or cracks in the target formation and
thereby increase the permeability of the rock near the wellbore and
improve production of natural gas or oil.
.
5103.
Government Accountability Office study
(a)
Study
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study examining the economic benefits
of domestic shale oil and gas production resulting from the process of
hydraulic fracturing. This study shall include identification of—
(1) State and Federal revenue generated as a result of shale gas production;
(2) jobs created both directly and indirectly as a result of shale oil and gas production; and
(3) an estimate of potential energy prices without domestic shale oil and gas production.
(b)
Report
The Comptroller General shall submit a report on the findings of such study to the Committee on
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives within 30 days after
completion of the study.
5104.
Tribal authority on trust land
The Department of the Interior shall not enforce any Federal regulation, guidance, or permit
requirement regarding the process of hydraulic fracturing (as that term is
defined in section 44 of the Mineral Leasing Act, as amended by section
5102 of this title), or any component of that process, relating to oil,
gas, or geothermal production activities on any land held in trust or
restricted status for the benefit of Indians except with the express
consent of the beneficiary on whose behalf such land is held in trust or
restricted status.
B
EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Research
5201.
Short title
This title may be cited as the EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Study Improvement Act.
5202.
EPA hydraulic fracturing research
In conducting its study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water
resources, with respect to which a request for information was issued
under Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 218, the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency shall adhere to the following
requirements:
(1)
Peer review and information quality
Prior to issuance and dissemination of any final report or any interim report summarizing the
Environmental Protection Agency’s research on the relationship between
hydraulic fracturing and drinking water, the Administrator shall—
(A) consider such reports to be Highly Influential Scientific Assessments and require peer review of
such reports in accordance with guidelines governing such assessments, as
described in—
(i) the Environmental Protection Agency’s Peer Review Handbook 3rd Edition;
(ii) the Environmental Protection Agency’s Scientific Integrity Policy, as in effect on the date of
enactment of this Act; and
(iii) the Office of Management and Budget’s Peer Review Bulletin, as in effect on the date of enactment
of this Act; and
(B) require such reports to meet the standards and procedures for the dissemination of influential
scientific, financial, or statistical information set forth in the
Environmental Protection Agency’s Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing
the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information
Disseminated by the Environmental Protection Agency, developed in response
to guidelines issued by the Office of Management and Budget under section
515(a) of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for
Fiscal Year 2001 (Public Law 106–554).
(2)
Probability, uncertainty, and consequence
In order to maximize the quality and utility of information developed through the study, the
Administrator shall ensure that identification of the possible impacts of
hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources included in such reports
be accompanied by objective estimates of the probability, uncertainty, and
consequence of each identified impact, taking into account the risk
management practices of States and industry. Estimates or descriptions of
probability, uncertainty, and consequence shall be as quantitative as
possible given the validity, accuracy, precision, and other quality
attributes of the underlying data and analyses, but no more quantitative
than the data and analyses can support.
(3)
Release of final report
The final report shall be publicly released by September 30, 2016.
C
Miscellaneous provisions
5301.
Review of State activities
The Secretary of the Interior shall annually review and report to Congress on all State activities
relating to hydraulic fracturing.
XV
Northern Route Approval
6001.
Short title
This title may be cited as the Northern Route Approval Act.
6002.
Findings
The Congress finds the following:
(1) To maintain our Nation’s competitive edge and ensure an economy built to last, the United States
must have fast, reliable, resilient, and environmentally sound means of
moving energy. In a global economy, we will compete for the world’s
investments based in significant part on the quality of our
infrastructure. Investing in the Nation’s infrastructure provides
immediate and long-term economic benefits for local communities and the
Nation as a whole.
(2) The delivery of oil from Canada, a close ally not only in proximity but in shared values and
ideals, to domestic markets is in the national interest because of the
need to lessen dependence upon insecure foreign sources.
(3) The Keystone XL pipeline would provide both short-term and long-term employment opportunities and
related labor income benefits, such as government revenues associated with
taxes.
(4) The State of Nebraska has thoroughly reviewed and approved the proposed Keystone XL pipeline
reroute, concluding that the concerns of Nebraskans have had a major
influence on the pipeline reroute and that the reroute will have minimal
environmental impacts.
(5) The Department of State and other Federal agencies have over a long period of time conducted
extensive studies and analysis of the technical aspects and of the
environmental, social, and economic impacts of the proposed Keystone XL
pipeline, and—
(A) the Department of State assessments found that the Keystone XL pipeline is not likely to impact the amount of crude oil produced from the oil sands and that approval or denial of the proposed project is unlikely to have a substantial impact on the rate of
development in the oil sands;
(B) the Department of State found that incremental life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with
the Keystone XL project are estimated in the range of 0.07 to 0.83 million
metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, with the upper end of this
range representing twelve one-thousandths of one percent of the 6,702
million metric tons of carbon dioxide emitted in the United States in
2011; and
(C) after extensive evaluation of potential impacts to land and water resources along the Keystone XL
pipeline’s 875-mile proposed route, the Department of State found that The analyses of potential impacts associated with construction and normal operation of the proposed
Project suggest that there would be no significant impacts to most
resources along the proposed Project route (assuming Keystone complies
with all laws and required conditions and measures)..
(6) The transportation of oil via pipeline is the safest and most economically and environmentally
effective means of doing so, and—
(A) transportation of oil via pipeline has a record of unmatched safety and environmental protection,
and the Department of State found that Spills associated with the proposed Project that enter the environment expected to be rare and
relatively small, and that there is no evidence of increased corrosion or other pipeline threat due to viscosity of diluted bitumen oil that will be transported by the Keystone XL pipeline; and
(B) plans to incorporate 57 project-specific special conditions related to the design, construction,
and operations of the Keystone XL pipeline led the Department of State to
find that the pipeline will have a degree of safety over any other typically constructed domestic oil pipeline.
(7) The Keystone XL is in much the same position today as the Alaska Pipeline in 1973 prior to
congressional action. Once again, the Federal regulatory process remains
an insurmountable obstacle to a project that is likely to reduce oil
imports from insecure foreign sources.
6003.
Keystone XL permit approval
Notwithstanding Executive Order No. 13337 (3 U.S.C. 301 note), Executive Order No. 11423 (3 U.S.C.
301 note), section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and any other
Executive order or provision of law, no Presidential permit shall be
required for the pipeline described in the application filed on May 4,
2012, by TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to the Department of State
for the Keystone XL pipeline, as supplemented to include the Nebraska
reroute evaluated in the Final Evaluation Report issued by the Nebraska
Department of Environmental Quality in January 2013 and approved by the
Nebraska governor. The final environmental impact statement issued by the
Secretary of State on August 26, 2011, coupled with the Final Evaluation
Report described in the previous sentence, shall be considered to satisfy
all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and of the National Historic Preservation Act (16
U.S.C. 470 et seq.).
6004.
Judicial review
(a)
Exclusive jurisdiction
Except for review by the Supreme Court on writ of certiorari, the United States Court of Appeals
for the District of Columbia Circuit shall have original and exclusive
jurisdiction to determine—
(1) the validity of any final order or action (including a failure to act) of any Federal agency or
officer with respect to issuance of a permit relating to the construction
or maintenance of the Keystone XL pipeline, including any final order or
action deemed to be taken, made, granted, or issued;
(2) the constitutionality of any provision of this title, or any decision or action taken, made,
granted, or issued, or deemed to be taken, made, granted, or issued under
this title; or
(3) the adequacy of any environmental impact statement prepared under the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), or of any analysis under any other
Act, with respect to any action taken, made, granted, or issued, or deemed
to be taken, made, granted, or issued under this title.
(b)
Deadline for filing claim
A claim arising under this title may be brought not later than 60 days after the date of the
decision or action giving rise to the claim.
(c)
Expedited consideration
The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit shall set any action
brought under subsection (a) for expedited consideration, taking into
account the national interest of enhancing national energy security by
providing access to the significant oil reserves in Canada that are needed
to meet the demand for oil.
6005.
American burying beetle
(a)
Findings
The Congress finds that—
(1) environmental reviews performed for the Keystone XL pipeline project satisfy the requirements of
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)) in
its entirety; and
(2) for purposes of that Act, the Keystone XL pipeline project will not jeopardize the continued
existence of the American burying beetle or destroy or adversely modify
American burying beetle critical habitat.
(b)
Biological opinion
The Secretary of the Interior is deemed to have issued a written statement setting forth the
Secretary’s opinion containing such findings under section 7(b)(1)(A) of
the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(b)(1)(A)) and any
taking of the American burying beetle that is incidental to the
construction or operation and maintenance of the Keystone XL pipeline as
it may be ultimately defined in its entirety, shall not be considered a
prohibited taking of such species under such Act.
6006.
Right-of-way and temporary use permit
The Secretary of the Interior is deemed to have granted or issued a grant of right-of-way and
temporary use permit under section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30
U.S.C. 185) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), as set forth in the application tendered to the
Bureau of Land Management for the Keystone XL pipeline.
6007.
Permits for activities in navigable waters
(a)
Issuance of permits
The Secretary of the Army, not later than 90 days after receipt of an application therefor, shall
issue all permits under section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) and section 10 of the Act of March 3, 1899 (33 U.S.C.
403; commonly known as the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 1899),
necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the pipeline
described in the May 4, 2012, application referred to in section 6003, as
supplemented by the Nebraska reroute. The application shall be based on
the administrative record for the pipeline as of the date of enactment of
this Act, which shall be considered complete.
(b)
Waiver of procedural requirements
The Secretary may waive any procedural requirement of law or regulation that the Secretary
considers desirable to waive in order to accomplish the purposes of this
section.
(c)
Issuance in absence of action by the Secretary
If the Secretary has not issued a permit described in subsection (a) on or before the last day of
the 90-day period referred to in subsection (a), the permit shall be
deemed issued under section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1344) or section 10 of the Act of March 3, 1899 (33 U.S.C.
403), as appropriate, on the day following such last day.
(d)
Limitation
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may not prohibit or restrict an activity
or use of an area that is authorized under this section.
6008.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act permit
The Secretary of the Interior is deemed to have issued a special purpose permit under the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), as described in the application
filed with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the Keystone XL
pipeline on January 11, 2013.
6009.
Oil spill response plan disclosure
(a)
In general
Any pipeline owner or operator required under Federal law to develop an oil spill response plan for
the Keystone XL pipeline shall make such plan available to the Governor of
each State in which such pipeline operates to assist with emergency
response preparedness.
(b)
Updates
A pipeline owner or operator required to make available to a Governor a plan under subsection (a)
shall make available to such Governor any update of such plan not later
than 7 days after the date on which such update is made.
XVI
Relief from EPA climate change regulations and Federal prohibitions on synthetic fuels
7001.
Repeal of EPA climate change regulation
(a)
Greenhouse gas regulation under Clean Air Act
Section 302(g) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7602(g)) is amended by adding the following at the
end thereof: The term air pollutant shall not include carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons,
perfluorocarbons, or sulfur hexafluoride..
(b)
No regulation of climate change
Nothing in the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.), or the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), shall
be treated as authorizing or requiring the regulation of climate change or
global warming.
7002.
Repeal of Federal ban on synthetic fuels purchasing requirement
Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110–140; 121 Stat.
1663; 42 U.S.C. 17142) is repealed.
7003.
Sense of Congress opposing carbon tax
It is the sense of the Congress that a carbon tax—
(1) would be detrimental to American families and businesses; and
(2) is not in the best interest of the United States.
7004.
Prohibition on use of social cost of carbon in analysis
(a)
In General
Notwithstanding any other provision of law or any executive order, the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency may not use the social cost of carbon in
order to incorporate social benefits of reducing carbon dioxide emissions,
or for any other reason, in any cost-benefit analysis relating to an
energy-related rule.
(b)
Definition
In this section, the term social cost of carbon means the social cost of carbon as described in the technical support document entitled Technical Support Document: Technical Update of the Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact
Analysis Under Executive Order 12866, published by the Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Carbon, United States Government, in
May 2013, or any successor or substantially related document, or any other
estimate of the monetized damages associated with an incremental increase
in carbon dioxide emissions in a given year.
XVII
Addressing the President’s War on Coal
A
Management and disposal of coal combustion residuals
8001.
Short title
This subtitle may be cited as the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2014.
8002.
Management and disposal of coal combustion residuals
(a)
In general
Subtitle D of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
4011.
Management and disposal of coal combustion residuals
(a)
State permit programs for coal combustion residuals
Each State may adopt, implement, and enforce a coal combustion residuals permit program if such
State provides the notification required under subsection (b)(1), and the
certification required under subsection (b)(2).
(b)
State actions
(1)
Notification
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section (except as provided by the
deadline identified under subsection (d)(3)(B)), the Governor of each
State shall notify the Administrator, in writing, whether such State will
adopt and implement a coal combustion residuals permit program.
(2)
Certification
(A)
In general
Not later than 36 months after the date of enactment of this section (except as provided in
subsection (f)(1)(A)), in the case of a State that has notified the
Administrator that it will implement a coal combustion residuals permit
program, the head of the lead State implementing agency shall submit to
the Administrator a certification that such coal combustion residuals
permit program meets the requirements described in subsection (c).
(B)
Contents
A certification submitted under this paragraph shall include—
(i) a letter identifying the lead State implementing agency, signed by the head of such agency;
(ii) identification of any other State agencies involved with the implementation of the coal combustion
residuals permit program;
(iii) an explanation of how the State coal combustion residuals permit program meets the requirements of
this section, including a description of the State’s—
(I) process to inspect or otherwise determine compliance with such permit program;
(II) process to enforce the requirements of such permit program;
(III) public participation process for the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of regulations for, and the
issuance of permits under, such permit program;
(IV) statutes, regulations, or policies pertaining to public access to information, such as groundwater
monitoring data; and
(V) statutes, regulations, or policies pertaining to structural integrity or dam safety that may be
applied to structures through such permit program;
(iv) a certification that the State has in effect, at the time of certification, statutes or regulations
necessary to implement a coal combustion residuals permit program that
meets the requirements described in subsection (c);
(v) copies of State statutes and regulations described in clause (iv); and
(vi) an emergency action plan for State response to a leak or spill at a structure that receives coal
combustion residuals.
(C)
Updates
A State may update the certification as needed to reflect changes to the coal combustion residuals
permit program.
(3)
Maintenance of 4005(c) or 3006 program
In order to adopt or implement a coal combustion residuals permit program under this section
(including pursuant to subsection (f)), the State implementing agency
shall maintain an approved permit program or other system of prior
approval and conditions under section 4005(c) or an authorized program
under section 3006.
(c)
Requirements for a coal combustion residuals permit program
A coal combustion residuals permit program shall consist of the following:
(1)
General requirements
(A)
In general
The implementing agency shall—
(i) apply the subset of the revised criteria described in paragraph (2) to owners or operators of
structures, including surface impoundments, that receive coal combustion
residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section;
(ii) with respect to structures that are receiving coal combustion residuals as of the date of enactment
of this section, take the actions required under paragraph (3);
(iii) impose requirements for surface impoundments that do not meet certain criteria pursuant to
paragraph (4); and
(iv) require that closure of structures occur in accordance with paragraph (5).
(B)
Structural integrity
(i)
Engineering certification
The implementing agency shall require that an independent registered professional engineer certify
that—
(I) the design of each structure that receives coal combustion residuals on or after the date of
enactment of this section is in accordance with recognized and generally
accepted good engineering practices for containment of the maximum volume
of coal combustion residuals and liquids which can be impounded therein;
and
(II) the construction and maintenance of the structure will ensure structural stability.
(ii)
Emergency action plan
The implementing agency shall require that the owner or operator of any structure that is a surface
impoundment that receives coal combustion residuals on or after the date
of enactment of this section and that is classified by the State as posing
a high hazard potential pursuant to the guidelines published by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency entitled Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety: Hazard Potential Classification System for Dams (FEMA Publication Number 333) prepare and maintain an emergency action plan that identifies
responsible persons and actions to be taken in the event of a dam safety
emergency.
(iii)
Inspection
(I)
In general
The implementing agency shall require that structures that are surface impoundments that receive
coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this
section be inspected not less than annually by an independent registered
professional engineer to assure that the design, operation, and
maintenance of the surface impoundment is in accordance with recognized
and generally accepted good engineering practices for containment of the
maximum volume of coal combustion residuals and liquids which can be
impounded therein, so as to ensure dam stability.
(II)
Potentially hazardous conditions
The implementing agency shall require that if an inspection under subclause (I), or a periodic
evaluation under clause (iv), reveals a potentially hazardous condition,
the owner or operator of the structure shall immediately take action to
mitigate the potentially hazardous condition and notify appropriate State
and local first responders.
(iv)
Periodic evaluation
The implementing agency shall require that structures that are surface impoundments that receive
coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this
section be periodically evaluated for appearances of structural weakness.
(v)
Deficiency
(I)
In general
If the head of the implementing agency determines that a structure is deficient with respect to the
requirements in clause (i), (iii), or (iv), the head of the agency has the
authority to require action to correct the deficiency according to a
schedule determined by the agency.
(II)
Uncorrected deficiencies
If a deficiency is not corrected according to the schedule, the head of the implementing agency has
the authority to require that the structure close in accordance with
paragraph (5).
(III)
Dam safety consultation
In the case of a structure that is a surface impoundment, the head of the implementing agency
shall, in making a determination under subclause (I), consult with
appropriate State dam safety officials.
(C)
Location
The implementing agency shall require that structures that first receive coal combustion residuals
on or after the date of enactment of this section shall be constructed
with a base located a minimum of 2 feet above the upper limit of the water
table, unless it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the implementing
agency that—
(i) the hydrogeologic characteristics of a structure and surrounding land would preclude such a
requirement; and
(ii) the function and integrity of the liner system will not be adversely impacted by contact with the
water table.
(D)
Wind dispersal
(i)
In general
The implementing agency shall require that owners or operators of structures that receive coal
combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section
address wind dispersal of dust by requiring cover, or by wetting coal
combustion residuals with water to a moisture content that prevents wind
dispersal, facilitates compaction, and does not result in free liquids.
(ii)
Alternative methods
Subject to the review and approval by the implementing agency, owners or operators of structures
that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment
of this section may propose alternative methods to address wind dispersal
of dust that will provide comparable or more effective control of dust.
(E)
Permits
The implementing agency shall require that owners or operators of structures that receive coal
combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section
apply for and obtain permits incorporating the requirements of the coal
combustion residuals permit program.
(F)
Public availability of information
Except for information with respect to which disclosure is prohibited under section 1905 of title
18, United States Code, the implementing agency shall ensure that—
(i) documents for permit determinations are made available for public review and comment under the
public participation process described in subsection (b)(2)(B)(iii)(III)
or in subsection (e)(6), as applicable;
(ii) final determinations on permit applications are made known to the public; and
(iii) groundwater monitoring data collected under paragraph (2) is publicly available.
(G)
Agency authority
(i)
In general
The implementing agency has the authority to—
(I) obtain information necessary to determine whether the owner or operator of a structure is in
compliance with the requirements of this subsection;
(II) conduct or require monitoring and testing to ensure that structures are in compliance with the
requirements of this subsection; and
(III) enter, at reasonable times, any site or premise subject to the coal combustion residuals permit
program for the purpose of inspecting structures and reviewing records
relevant to the design, operation, and maintenance of structures.
(ii)
Monitoring and testing
If monitoring or testing is conducted under clause (i)(II) by or for the implementing agency, the
implementing agency shall, if requested, provide to the owner or operator—
(I) a written description of the monitoring or testing completed;
(II) at the time of sampling, a portion of each sample equal in volume or weight to the portion retained
by or for the implementing agency; and
(III) a copy of the results of any analysis of samples collected by or for the implementing agency.
(2)
Revised criteria
The subset of the revised criteria referred to in paragraph (1)(A)(i) are as follows:
(A)
Design requirements
For new structures, and lateral expansions of existing structures, that first receive coal
combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section,
the revised criteria regarding design requirements described in section
258.40 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, except that the leachate
collection system requirements described in section 258.40(a)(2) of title
40, Code of Federal Regulations, do not apply to structures that are
surface impoundments.
(B)
Groundwater monitoring and corrective action
For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this
section, the revised criteria regarding groundwater monitoring and
corrective action requirements described in subpart E of part 258 of title
40, Code of Federal Regulations, except that, for the purposes of this
subparagraph, the revised criteria shall also include—
(i) for the purposes of detection monitoring, the constituents boron, chloride, conductivity, fluoride,
mercury, pH, sulfate, sulfide, and total dissolved solids; and
(ii) for the purposes of assessment monitoring, establishing a groundwater protection standard, and
assessment of corrective measures, the constituents aluminum, boron,
chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, molybdenum, pH, sulfate, and total
dissolved solids.
(C)
Closure
For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this
section, in a manner consistent with paragraph (5), the revised criteria
for closure described in subsections (a) through (c) and (h) through (j)
of section 258.60 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.
(D)
Post-closure
For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this
section, the revised criteria for post-closure care described in section
258.61 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, except for the
requirement described in subsection (a)(4) of that section.
(E)
Location restrictions
The revised criteria for location restrictions described in—
(i) for new structures, and lateral expansions of existing structures, that first receive coal
combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section,
sections 258.11 through 258.15 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations;
and
(ii) for existing structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of
this section, sections 258.11 and 258.15 of title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(F)
Air quality
For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this
section, the revised criteria for air quality described in section 258.24
of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.
(G)
Financial assurance
For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this
section, the revised criteria for financial assurance described in subpart
G of part 258 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.
(H)
Surface water
For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this
section, the revised criteria for surface water described in section
258.27 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.
(I)
Recordkeeping
For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this
section, the revised criteria for recordkeeping described in section
258.29 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.
(J)
Run-on and run-off control systems for land-based units
For all landfills and other land-based units, other than surface impoundments, that receive coal
combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section,
the revised criteria for run-on and run-off control systems described in
section 258.26 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.
(K)
Run-off control systems for surface impoundments
For all surface impoundments that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of
enactment of this section, the revised criteria for run-off control
systems described in section 258.26(a)(2) of title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(3)
Permit program implementation for existing structures
(A)
Notification
Not later than the date on which a State submits a certification under subsection (b)(2), not later
than 30 months after the Administrator receives notice under subsection
(e)(1)(A), or not later than 36 months after the date of enactment of this
section with respect to a coal combustion residuals permit program that is
being implemented by the Administrator under subsection (e)(3), as
applicable, the implementing agency shall notify owners or operators of
structures that are receiving coal combustion residuals as of the date of
enactment of this section within the State of—
(i) the obligation to apply for and obtain a permit under subparagraph (C); and
(ii) the requirements referred to in subparagraph (B).
(B)
Compliance with certain requirements
Not later than 12 months after the date on which a State submits a certification under subsection
(b)(2), not later than 42 months after the Administrator receives notice
under subsection (e)(1)(A), or not later than 48 months after the date of
enactment of this section with respect to a coal combustion residuals
permit program that is being implemented by the Administrator under
subsection (e)(3), as applicable, the implementing agency shall require
owners or operators of structures that are receiving coal combustion
residuals as of the date of enactment of this section to comply with—
(i) the requirements under paragraphs (1)(B)(ii) and (iii), (1)(D), (2)(B), (2)(F), (2)(H), (2)(J), and
(2)(K); and
(ii) the groundwater recordkeeping requirement described in section 258.29(a)(5) of title 40, Code of
Federal Regulations.
(C)
Permits
(i)
Permit deadline
Not later than 48 months after the date on which a State submits a certification under subsection
(b)(2), not later than 78 months after the Administrator receives notice
under subsection (e)(1)(A), or not later than 84 months after the date of
enactment of this section with respect to a coal combustion residuals
permit program that is being implemented by the Administrator under
subsection (e)(3), as applicable, the implementing agency shall issue,
with respect to a structure that is receiving coal combustion residuals as
of the date of enactment of this section, a final permit incorporating the
requirements of the coal combustion residuals permit program, or a final
denial for an application submitted requesting such a permit.
(ii)
Application deadline
The implementing agency shall identify, in collaboration with the owner or operator of a structure
described in clause (i), a reasonable deadline by which the owner or
operator shall submit a permit application under such clause.
(D)
Interim operation
(i)
Prior to deadlines
With respect to any period of time on or after the date of enactment of this section but prior to
the applicable deadline in subparagraph (B), the owner or operator of a
structure that is receiving coal combustion residuals as of the date of
enactment of this section may continue to operate such structure until
such applicable deadline under the applicable authority in effect.
(ii)
Prior to permit
Unless the implementing agency determines that the structure should close pursuant to paragraph
(5), if the owner or operator of a structure that is receiving coal
combustion residuals as of the date of enactment of this section meets the
requirements referred to in subparagraph (B) by the applicable deadline in
such subparagraph, the owner or operator may operate the structure until
such time as the implementing agency issues, under subparagraph (C), a
final permit incorporating the requirements of the coal combustion
residuals permit program, or a final denial for an application submitted
requesting such a permit.
(4)
Requirements for surface impoundments that do not meet certain criteria
(A)
Surface impoundments that require assessment of corrective measures within 10 years of the date of
enactment
(i)
In general
In addition to the groundwater monitoring and corrective action requirements described in paragraph
(2)(B), the implementing agency shall require a surface impoundment that
receives coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of
this section to comply with the requirements in clause (ii) of this
subparagraph and clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (D) if the surface
impoundment—
(I) does not—
(aa) have a liner system described in section 258.40(b) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and
(bb) meet the design criteria described in section 258.40(a)(1) of title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations; and
(II) within 10 years after the date of enactment of this section, is required under section 258.56(a) of
title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, to undergo an assessment of
corrective measures for any constituent covered under subpart E of part
258 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, or otherwise identified in
paragraph (2)(B)(ii) of this subsection, for which assessment groundwater
monitoring is required.
(ii)
Deadline to meet groundwater protection standard
Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the implementing agency shall require that the groundwater
protection standard, for surface impoundments identified in clause (i) of
this subparagraph, established by the implementing agency under section
258.55(h) or 258.55(i) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, for any
constituent for which corrective measures are required shall be met—
(I) as soon as practicable at the relevant point of compliance, as described in section 258.40(d) of
title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and
(II) not later than 10 years after the date of enactment of this section.
(B)
Surface impoundments subject to a state corrective action requirement as of the date of enactment
(i)
In general
In addition to the groundwater monitoring and corrective action requirements described in paragraph
(2)(B), the implementing agency shall require a surface impoundment that
receives coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of
this section to comply with the requirements in clause (ii) of this
subparagraph and clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (D) if the surface
impoundment—
(I) does not—
(aa) have a liner system described in section 258.40(b) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and
(bb) meet the design criteria described in section 258.40(a)(1) of title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations; and
(II) as of the date of enactment of this section, is subject to a State corrective action requirement.
(ii)
Deadline to meet groundwater protection standard
Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the implementing agency shall require that the groundwater
protection standard, for surface impoundments identified in clause (i) of
this subparagraph, established by the implementing agency under section
258.55(h) or 258.55(i) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, for any
constituent for which corrective measures are required shall be met—
(I) as soon as practicable at the relevant point of compliance, as described in section 258.40(d) of
title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and
(II) not later than 8 years after the date of enactment of this section.
(C)
Extension of deadline
(i)
In general
Except as provided in clause (ii) of this subparagraph, the deadline for meeting a groundwater
protection standard under subparagraph (A)(ii) or (B)(ii) may be extended
by the implementing agency, after opportunity for public notice and
comment under the public participation process described in subsection
(b)(2)(B)(iii)(III), or in subsection (e)(6) based on—
(I) the effectiveness of any interim measures implemented by the owner or operator of the facility
under section 258.58(a)(3) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations;
(II) the level of progress demonstrated in meeting the groundwater protection standard;
(III) the potential for other adverse human health or environmental exposures attributable to the
contamination from the surface impoundment undergoing corrective action;
and
(IV) the lack of available alternative management capacity for the coal combustion residuals and related
materials managed in the impoundment at the facility at which the
impoundment is located if the owner or operator has used best efforts, as
necessary, to design, obtain any necessary permits, finance, construct,
and render operational the alternative management capacity during the time
period for meeting a groundwater protection standard in subparagraph
(A)(ii) or (B)(ii).
(ii)
Exception
The deadline under subparagraph (A)(ii) or (B)(ii) shall not be extended if there has been
contamination of public or private drinking water systems attributable to
a surface impoundment undergoing corrective action, unless the
contamination has been addressed by providing a permanent replacement
water system.
(D)
Additional requirements
(i)
Closure
If the deadline under subparagraph (A)(ii), (B)(ii), or (C) is not satisfied, the surface
impoundment shall cease receiving coal combustion residuals and initiate
closure under paragraph (5).
(ii)
Interim measures
(I)
In general
Except as provided in subclause (II), not later than 90 days after the date on which the assessment
of corrective measures is initiated, the owner or operator of a surface
impoundment described in subparagraph (A) or (B) shall implement interim
measures, as necessary, under the factors in section 258.58(a)(3) of title
40, Code of Federal Regulations.
(II)
Impoundments subject to state corrective action requirement as of the date of enactment
Subclause (I) shall only apply to surface impoundments subject to a State corrective action
requirement as of the date of enactment of this section if the owner or
operator has not implemented interim measures, as necessary, under the
factors in section 258.58(a)(3) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.
(E)
Surface impoundments that require assessment of corrective measures more than 10 years after date
of enactment
(i)
In general
In addition to the groundwater monitoring and corrective action requirements described in paragraph
(2)(B), the implementing agency shall require a surface impoundment that
receives coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of
this section to comply with the requirements in clause (ii) if the surface
impoundment—
(I) does not—
(aa) have a liner system described in section 258.40(b) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and
(bb) meet the design criteria described in section 258.40(a)(1) of title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations; and
(II) more than 10 years after the date of enactment of this section, is required under section 258.56(a)
title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, to undergo an assessment of
corrective measures for any constituent covered under subpart E of part
258 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, or otherwise identified in
paragraph (2)(B)(ii) of this subsection, for which assessment groundwater
monitoring is required.
(ii)
Requirements
(I)
Closure
The surface impoundments identified in clause (i) shall cease receiving coal combustion residuals
and initiate closure in accordance with paragraph (5) after alternative
management capacity at the facility is available for the coal combustion
residuals and related materials managed in the impoundment.
(II)
Best efforts
The alternative management capacity shall be developed as soon as practicable with the owner or
operator using best efforts to design, obtain necessary permits for,
finance, construct, and render operational the alternative management
capacity.
(III)
Alternative capacity management plan
The owner or operator shall, in collaboration with the implementing agency, prepare a written plan
that describes the steps necessary to develop the alternative management
capacity and includes a schedule for completion.
(IV)
Public participation
The plan described in subclause (III) shall be subject to public notice and comment under the
public participation process described in subsection (b)(2)(B)(iii)(III)
or in subsection (e)(6), as applicable.
(5)
Closure
(A)
In general
If it is determined by the implementing agency that a structure should close because the
requirements of a coal combustion residuals permit program are not being
satisfied with respect to such structure, or if it is determined by the
owner or operator that a structure should close, the time period and
method for the closure of such structure shall be set forth in a closure
plan that establishes a deadline for completion of closure as soon as
practicable and that takes into account the nature and the site-specific
characteristics of the structure to be closed.
(B)
Surface impoundment
In the case of a surface impoundment, the closure plan under subparagraph (A) shall require, at a
minimum, the removal of liquid and the stabilization of remaining waste,
as necessary to support the final cover.
(d)
Federal review of State permit programs
(1)
In general
The Administrator shall provide to a State written notice and an opportunity to remedy deficiencies
in accordance with paragraph (3) if at any time the State—
(A) does not satisfy the notification requirement under subsection (b)(1);
(B) has not submitted a certification required under subsection (b)(2);
(C) does not satisfy the maintenance requirement under subsection (b)(3);
(D) is not implementing a coal combustion residuals permit program, with respect to which the State has
submitted a certification under subsection (b)(2), that meets the
requirements described in subsection (c);
(E) is not implementing a coal combustion residuals permit program, with respect to which the State has
submitted a certification under subsection (b)(2)—
(i) that is consistent with such certification; and
(ii) for which the State continues to have in effect statutes or regulations necessary to implement such
program; or
(F) does not make available to the Administrator, within 90 days of a written request, specific
information necessary for the Administrator to ascertain whether the State
has satisfied the requirements described in subparagraphs (A) through (E).
(2)
Request
If a request described in paragraph (1)(F) is proposed pursuant to a petition to the Administrator,
the Administrator shall only make the request if the Administrator does
not possess the information necessary to ascertain whether the State has
satisfied the requirements described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of
such paragraph.
(3)
Contents of notice; deadline for response
A notice provided under paragraph (1) shall—
(A) include findings of the Administrator detailing any applicable deficiencies described in
subparagraphs (A) through (F) of paragraph (1); and
(B) identify, in collaboration with the State, a reasonable deadline by which the State shall remedy
such applicable deficiencies, which shall be—
(i) in the case of a deficiency described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1), not
earlier than 180 days after the date on which the State receives the
notice; and
(ii) in the case of a deficiency described in paragraph (1)(F), not later than 90 days after the date on
which the State receives the notice.
(4)
Criteria for determining deficiency of State permit program
In making a determination whether a State has failed to satisfy the requirements described in
subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1), or a determination under
subsection (e)(1)(B), the Administrator shall consider, as appropriate—
(A) whether the State’s statutes or regulations to implement a coal combustion residuals permit program
are not sufficient to meet the requirements described in subsection (c)
because of—
(i) failure of the State to promulgate or enact new statutes or regulations when necessary; or
(ii) action by a State legislature or court striking down or limiting such State statutes or
regulations;
(B) whether the operation of the State coal combustion residuals permit program fails to comply with
the requirements of subsection (c) because of—
(i) failure of the State to issue permits as required in subsection (c)(1)(E);
(ii) repeated issuance of permits by the State which do not meet the requirements of subsection (c);
(iii) failure of the State to comply with the public participation requirements of this section; or
(iv) failure of the State to implement corrective action requirements as described in subsection
(c)(2)(B); and
(C) whether the enforcement of a State coal combustion residuals permit program fails to comply with
the requirements of this section because of—
(i) failure to act on violations of permits, as identified by the State; or
(ii) repeated failure by the State to inspect or otherwise determine compliance pursuant to the process
identified in subsection (b)(2)(B)(iii)(I).
(e)
Implementation by Administrator
(1)
Federal backstop authority
The Administrator shall implement a coal combustion residuals permit program for a State only if—
(A) the Governor of the State notifies the Administrator under subsection (b)(1) that the State will
not adopt and implement a permit program;
(B) the State has received a notice under subsection (d) and the Administrator determines, after
providing a 30-day period for notice and public comment, that the State
has failed, by the deadline identified in the notice under subsection
(d)(3)(B), to remedy the deficiencies detailed in the notice under
subsection (d)(3)(A); or
(C) the State informs the Administrator, in writing, that such State will no longer implement such a
permit program.
(2)
Review
A State may obtain a review of a determination by the Administrator under this subsection as if the
determination was a final regulation for purposes of section 7006.
(3)
Other structures
For structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this
section located on property within the exterior boundaries of a State that
the State does not have authority or jurisdiction to regulate, the
Administrator shall implement a coal combustion residuals permit program
only for those structures.
(4)
Requirements
If the Administrator implements a coal combustion residuals permit program for a State under
paragraph (1) or (3), the permit program shall consist of the requirements
described in subsection (c).
(5)
Enforcement
(A)
In general
If the Administrator implements a coal combustion residuals permit program for a State under
paragraph (1)—
(i) the authorities referred to in section 4005(c)(2)(A) shall apply with respect to coal combustion
residuals and structures for which the Administrator is implementing the
coal combustion residuals permit program; and
(ii) the Administrator may use those authorities to inspect, gather information, and enforce the
requirements of this section in the State.
(B)
Other structures
If the Administrator implements a coal combustion residuals permit program under paragraph (3)—
(i) the authorities referred to in section 4005(c)(2)(A) shall apply with respect to coal combustion
residuals and structures for which the Administrator is implementing the
coal combustion residuals permit program; and
(ii) the Administrator may use those authorities to inspect, gather information, and enforce the
requirements of this section for the structures for which the
Administrator is implementing the coal combustion residuals permit
program.
(6)
Public participation process
If the Administrator implements a coal combustion residuals permit program for a State under this
subsection, the Administrator shall provide a 30-day period for the public
participation process required in paragraphs (1)(F)(i), (4)(C)(i), and
(4)(E)(ii)(IV) of subsection (c).
(f)
State control after implementation by Administrator
(1)
State control
(A)
New adoption, or resumption of, and implementation by State
For a State for which the Administrator is implementing a coal combustion residuals permit program
under subsection (e)(1)(A), or subsection (e)(1)(C), the State may adopt
and implement such a permit program by—
(i) notifying the Administrator that the State will adopt and implement such a permit program;
(ii) not later than 6 months after the date of such notification, submitting to the Administrator a
certification under subsection (b)(2); and
(iii) receiving from the Administrator—
(I) a determination, after providing a 30-day period for notice and public comment, that the State coal
combustion residuals permit program meets the requirements described in
subsection (c); and
(II) a timeline for transition of control of the coal combustion residuals permit program.
(B)
Remedying deficient permit program
For a State for which the Administrator is implementing a coal combustion residuals permit program
under subsection (e)(1)(B), the State may adopt and implement such a
permit program by—
(i) remedying only the deficiencies detailed in the notice pursuant to subsection (d)(3)(A); and
(ii) receiving from the Administrator—
(I) a determination, after providing a 30-day period for notice and public comment, that the
deficiencies detailed in such notice have been remedied; and
(II) a timeline for transition of control of the coal combustion residuals permit program.
(2)
Review of determination
(A)
Determination required
The Administrator shall make a determination under paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after the
date on which the State submits a certification under paragraph
(1)(A)(ii), or notifies the Administrator that the deficiencies have been
remedied pursuant to paragraph (1)(B)(i), as applicable.
(B)
Review
A State may obtain a review of a determination by the Administrator under paragraph (1) as if such
determination was a final regulation for purposes of section 7006.
(3)
Implementation during transition
(A)
Effect on actions and orders
Program requirements of, and actions taken or orders issued pursuant to, a coal combustion
residuals permit program shall remain in effect if—
(i) a State takes control of its coal combustion residuals permit program from the Administrator under
paragraph (1); or
(ii) the Administrator takes control of a coal combustion residuals permit program from a State under
subsection (e).
(B)
Change in requirements
Subparagraph (A) shall apply to such program requirements, actions, and orders until such time as—
(i) the implementing agency changes the requirements of the coal combustion residuals permit program
with respect to the basis for the action or order; or
(ii) the State or the Administrator, whichever took the action or issued the order, certifies the
completion of a corrective action that is the subject of the action or
order.
(4)
Single permit program
If a State adopts and implements a coal combustion residuals permit program under this subsection,
the Administrator shall cease to implement the permit program implemented
under subsection (e)(1) for such State.
(g)
Effect on determination under 4005(c) or 3006
The Administrator shall not consider the implementation of a coal combustion residuals permit
program by the Administrator under subsection (e) in making a
determination of approval for a permit program or other system of prior
approval and conditions under section 4005(c) or of authorization for a
program under section 3006.
(h)
Authority
(1)
State authority
Nothing in this section shall preclude or deny any right of any State to adopt or enforce any
regulation or requirement respecting coal combustion residuals that is
more stringent or broader in scope than a regulation or requirement under
this section.
(2)
Authority of the administrator
(A)
In general
Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) and section 6005, the Administrator shall, with
respect to the regulation of coal combustion residuals, defer to the
States pursuant to this section.
(B)
Imminent hazard
Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Administrator under
section 7003 with respect to coal combustion residuals.
(C)
Enforcement assistance only upon request
Upon request from the head of a lead State agency that is implementing a coal combustion residuals
permit program, the Administrator may provide to such State agency only
the enforcement assistance requested.
(D)
Concurrent enforcement
Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the Administrator shall not have concurrent enforcement
authority when a State is implementing a coal combustion residuals permit
program, including during any period of interim operation described in
subsection (c)(3)(D).
(E)
Other authority
The Administrator shall not have authority to finalize the proposed rule published at pages 35128
through 35264 of volume 75 of the Federal Register (June 21, 2010).
(F)
Other response authority
Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Administrator under
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) with respect to coal combustion
residuals.
(3)
Citizen suits
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of a person to commence a civil
action in accordance with section 7002.
(i)
Mine reclamation activities
A coal combustion residuals permit program implemented by the Administrator under subsection (e)
shall not apply to the utilization, placement, and storage of coal
combustion residuals at surface mining and reclamation operations.
(j)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Coal combustion residuals
The term coal combustion residuals means—
(A) the solid wastes listed in section 3001(b)(3)(A)(i), including recoverable materials from such
wastes;
(B) coal combustion wastes that are co-managed with wastes produced in conjunction with the combustion
of coal, provided that such wastes are not segregated and disposed of
separately from the coal combustion wastes and comprise a relatively small
proportion of the total wastes being disposed in the structure;
(C) fluidized bed combustion wastes;
(D) wastes from the co-burning of coal with non-hazardous secondary materials, provided that coal makes
up at least 50 percent of the total fuel burned; and
(E) wastes from the co-burning of coal with materials described in subparagraph (A) that are recovered
from monofills.
(2)
Coal combustion residuals permit program
The term coal combustion residuals permit program means all of the authorities, activities, and procedures that comprise the system of prior
approval and conditions implemented by or for a State to regulate the
management and disposal of coal combustion residuals.
(3)
Code of Federal regulations
The term Code of Federal Regulations means the Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this section) or
any successor regulations.
(4)
Implementing agency
The term implementing agency means the agency responsible for implementing a coal combustion residuals permit program for a
State, which shall either be the lead State implementing agency identified
under subsection (b)(2)(B)(i) or the Administrator pursuant to subsection
(e).
(5)
Permit; prior approval and conditions
Except as provided in subsections (b)(3) and (g), the terms permit and prior approval and conditions mean any authorization, license, or equivalent control document that incorporates the requirements
of subsection (c).
(6)
Revised criteria
The term revised criteria means the criteria promulgated for municipal solid waste landfill units under section 4004(a) and
under section 1008(a)(3), as revised under section 4010(c).
(7)
Structure
(A)
In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term structure means a landfill, surface impoundment, or other land-based unit which receives, or is intended to
receive, coal combustion residuals.
(B)
De minimis receipt
The term structure does not include any land-based unit that receives only de minimis quantities of coal combustion
residuals if the presence of coal combustion residuals is incidental to
the material managed in the unit.
.
(b)
Conforming amendment
The table of contents contained in section 1001 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 4010 the following:
Sec. 4011. Management and disposal of coal combustion residuals.
.
8003.
2000 regulatory determination
Nothing in this subtitle, or the amendments made by this subtitle, shall be construed to alter in
any manner the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory determination
entitled Notice of Regulatory Determination on Wastes From the Combustion of Fossil Fuels, published at 65 Fed. Reg. 32214 (May 22, 2000), that the fossil fuel combustion wastes addressed
in that determination do not warrant regulation under subtitle C of the
Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.).
8004.
Technical assistance
Nothing in this subtitle, or the amendments made by this subtitle, shall be construed to affect the
authority of a State to request, or the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency to provide, technical assistance under the Solid Waste
Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.).
8005.
Federal Power Act
Nothing in this subtitle, or the amendments made by this subtitle, shall be construed to affect the
obligations of an owner or operator of a structure (as defined in section
4011 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as added by this Act) under section
215(b)(1) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824o(b)(1)).
B
Surface Mining Stream Buffer Zone Rule
8011.
Short title
This subtitle may be cited as the Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America.
8012.
Incorporation of surface mining stream buffer zone rule into State programs
(a)
In general
Section 503 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1253) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
(e)
Stream buffer zone management
(1)
In general
In addition to the requirements under subsection (a), each State program shall incorporate the
necessary rule regarding excess spoil, coal mine waste, and buffers for
perennial and intermittent streams published by the Office of Surface
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement on December 12, 2008 (73 Fed. Reg.
75813 et seq.).
(2)
Study of implementation
The Secretary shall—
(A) at such time as the Secretary determines all States referred to in subsection (a) have fully
incorporated the necessary rule referred to in paragraph (1) of this
subsection into their State programs, publish notice of such
determination;
(B) during the 5-year period beginning on the date of such publication, assess the effectiveness of
implementation of such rule by such States; and
(C) upon the conclusion of such period, submit a comprehensive report on the impacts of such rule to
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, including—
(i) an evaluation of the effectiveness of such rule;
(ii) an evaluation of any ways in which the existing rule inhibits energy production; and
(iii) a description in detail of any proposed changes that should be made to the rule, the justification
for such changes, all comments on such changes received by the Secretary
from such States, and the projected costs and benefits of such changes.
(3)
Limitation on new regulations
The Secretary may not issue any regulations under this Act relating to stream buffer zones or
stream protection before the date of the publication of the report under
paragraph (2), other than a rule necessary to implement paragraph (1).
.
(b)
Deadline for State implementation
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, a State with a State program
approved under section 503 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation
Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1253) shall submit to the Secretary of the Interior
amendments to such program pursuant to part 732 of title 30, Code of
Federal Regulations, incorporating the necessary rule referred to in
subsection (e)(1) of such section, as amended by this section.
XVIII
Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment
9001.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act of 2014 or the SENSE Act of 2014.
9002.
Inapplicability of certain emission limits for electric utility steam generating units that convert
coal refuse into energy
(a)
Inapplicability of certain emission limits for certain EGUs
The emission limits for hydrogen chloride and sulfur dioxide in table 2 to subpart UUUUU of part 63
of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, entitled Emission Limits for Existing EGUs, shall not apply to an electric utility steam generating unit in the subcategory Coal-fired unit not low rank virgin coal if such electric utility steam generating unit—
(1) is in operation as of the date of enactment of this Act;
(2) utilizes circulating fluidized bed technology to convert coal refuse into energy; and
(3)
(A) derives at least 75 percent of its heat input from coal refuse; or
(B) is a qualifying facility.
(b)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Coal refuse
The term coal refuse means any byproduct of coal mining, physical coal cleaning, or coal preparation operations, that
contains coal, matrix material, clay, and other organic and inorganic
material.
(2)
Qualifying cogeneration facility
The term qualifying cogeneration facility has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796).
(3)
Qualifying facility
The term qualifying facility means—
(A) a qualifying small power production facility; or
(B) a qualifying cogeneration facility.
(4)
Qualifying small power production facility
The term qualifying small power production facility has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796).
XIX
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Reorganization Plan Codification and Complements
10001.
Short title
This title may be cited as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Reorganization Plan Codification and Complements Act.
A
Replacement of Reorganization Plan
10011.
General functions
(a)
Functions
Those functions of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (in this subtitle referred to as the Commission) concerned with—
(1) policy formulation;
(2) rulemaking, as defined in section 553 of title 5 of the United States Code, except that those
matters set forth in 553 (a)(2) and (b) which do not pertain to policy
formulation orders or adjudications shall be reserved to the Chairman of
the Commission;
(3) orders and adjudications, as defined in section 551 (6) and (7) of title 5 of the United States
Code; and
(4) approving the distribution of appropriated funds according to programs and purposes proposed by the
Executive Director for Operations,
shall remain vested in the Commission. A majority of the Commission may determine, in an area of
doubt, whether any matter, action, question, or area of inquiry pertains
to one of these functions. Any member of the Commission may request such a
vote. Any member of the Commission may propose a policy matter for
consideration by the Commission. All members of the Commission shall have
full, unfettered, timely, and equal access to information pertaining to
its functions. The performance of any portion of these functions may be
delegated by the Commission to a member of the Commission, including the
Chairman of the Commission (in this subtitle referred to as the Chairman) and to the staff.
(b)
Officers and employees
(1)
Officers
With respect to the following officers or successor officers duly established by statute or by the
Commission, the Chairman shall initiate the appointment, subject to the
approval of the Commission, and the Chairman or a member of the Commission
may initiate an action for removal, subject to the approval of the
Commission by majority vote:
(A) Executive Director for Operations.
(B) Chief and Deputy Chief Financial Officer.
(C) General Counsel.
(D) Director of the Office of Commission Appellate Adjudication.
(E) Secretary of the Commission.
(F) Director of the Office of Public Affairs.
(G) Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs.
(H) Director of the Office of International Programs.
(I) Chief Administrative Judge and members of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel.
Any performance evaluation or rating of the officers listed in subparagraphs (A) through (I) shall
be determined by a majority vote of the members of the Commission.
(2)
Replacement of officers
(A) In the event of a vacancy in a position described in paragraph (1), the Chairman may designate an
acting officer for a maximum of 60 days, after which any further extension
must be approved by the Commission. If, at the end of 60 days, the
Commission has not approved the appointment of an officer proposed by the
Chairman, or the Chairman has not proposed one, any Commissioner may
initiate the appointment subject to approval of the Commission.
(B) With respect to the following officers or successor officers duly established by statute or by the
Commission, the Chairman, after consultation with the Executive Director
for Operations, shall initiate the appointment, subject to the approval of
the Commission, and the Chairman, or a member of the Commission may
initiate an action for removal, subject to the approval of the Commission
by majority vote:
(i) Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
(ii) Director of the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
(iii) Director of the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research.
(iv) Director of the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response.
(v) Director of the Office of New Reactors.
(vi) Director of the Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs.
(vii) Director of the Office of Investigations.
(viii) Director of the Office of Enforcement.
(3)
Appointment of Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
The Chairman or a member of the Commission shall initiate the appointment of the Members of the
Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, subject to the approval of the
Commission. The provisions for appointment of the Chairman of the Advisory
Committee on Reactor Safeguards and the term of the members shall not be
affected by the provisions of this subtitle.
(4)
Delegation of staff supervision functions
The Commission shall delegate the function of appointing, removing, and supervising the staff of
the following offices or successor offices to the respective heads of such
offices: Executive Director for Operations, General Counsel, Secretary of
the Commission, Chief Financial Officer, Office of Commission Appellate
Adjudication, Office of Congressional Affairs, Office of Public Affairs,
and Office of International Programs. The Commission shall delegate the
functions of appointing, removing, and supervising the staff of the
following panels and committee to the respective Chairmen thereof: Atomic
Safety and Licensing Board Panel and Advisory Committee on Reactor
Safeguards.
(c)
Commission member offices
Each member of the Commission shall appoint, remove, and supervise the personnel employed in his or
her immediate office.
(d)
Performance of functions
The Commission shall act as provided by section 201(a)(1) of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974
(42 U.S.C. 5841(a)(1)) in the performance of its functions as described in
subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
10012.
Chairman
(a)
Functions
Except as otherwise provided in section 10011, all functions of the Commission shall rest with the
Chairman. The Chairman shall be the official spokesman for the Commission
and, as such, shall represent the policies determined by a majority of the
Commission.
(b)
Additional functions
The Chairman shall also be the principal executive officer of the Commission, and shall be
responsible to the Commission for assuring that the Executive Director for
Operations and the staff of the Commission (other than the officers and
staff referred to in section 10011(b)(4) and (c)) are responsive to the
requirements of the Commission in the performance of its functions; shall
determine the use and expenditure of funds of the Commission, in
accordance with the distribution of appropriated funds according to
programs and purposes approved by the Commission; shall present to the
Commission for its consideration the proposals set forth in paragraph (3);
and shall be responsible for the following functions, which the Chairman
shall delegate, subject to the Chairman’s direction and supervision, to
the Executive Director for Operations unless otherwise provided by this
title:
(1) Administrative functions of the Commission.
(2) Distribution of business among such personnel and among administrative units and offices of the
Commission.
(3) Preparation of proposals for the reorganization of the major offices of the Commission.
(4) Appointing and removing, without any further action by the Commission, all officers and employees
under the Commission other than those whose appointment and removal are
specifically provided for by section 10011(b) and (c).
(c)
Governing principles
(1)
In general
The Chairman as principal executive officer and the Executive Director for Operations shall be
governed by the general policies of the Commission and by such regulatory
decisions, findings, and determinations, including those for
reorganization proposals, budget revisions, and distribution of
appropriated funds, as the Commission may by law, including this subtitle,
be authorized to make.
(2)
Full and current information
The Chairman and the Executive Director for Operations shall have joint responsibility insuring
that the Commission is fully and currently informed about matters within
its functions.
(3)
Failure to act in accordance
If a majority of Commissioners determine that the Chairman has not acted in accordance with
paragraph (1) or (2), such Commissioners shall provide written notice of
the determination to the President and provide copies thereof to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate.
10013.
Emergency authority
(a)
In general
Notwithstanding sections 10001 and 10002, the Chairman is authorized to exercise emergency
authority described in paragraph (4), subject to the following
limitations:
(1) The Chairman may not exercise emergency authority unless and until the Chairman declares a specific
emergency exists and, not later than 24 hours after such declaration,
notifies—
(A) the Commission, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, in writing; and
(B) the public.
(2) The Chairman may only exercise emergency authority in response to—
(A) an imminent safety threat pertaining to a facility or materials licensed or regulated by the
Commission; or
(B) a determination by the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of
Transportation, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, or the Director of National
Intelligence of an imminent security threat to a facility or materials
licensed or regulated by the Commission.
Where authority is exercised pursuant to this section, public notification may be delayed provided
that the Chairman determines that prior public disclosure would constitute
a risk to public health and safety and so notifies the Commission, the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate.
(3) The Chairman may only exercise emergency authority for the duration of the emergency or 30 days,
whichever is less. The Commission may approve extensions of that time.
Each extension is limited to 30 days and requires notification of the
public, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives, and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the
Senate.
(4) The Chairman’s emergency authority includes the functions of responding to, issuing orders
respecting, advising United States civil authorities and the United States
public about, and directing and coordinating actions relative to such
emergency incident.
(b)
Delegation
The Chairman may delegate the authority to perform such emergency functions, in whole or in part,
to any of the other members of the Commission. Such authority may also be
delegated or redelegated, in whole or in part, to the staff of the
Commission.
(c)
Consultation
To the extent practicable, the Chairman shall consult with the full Commission on any regulatory or
policy actions to be taken under an emergency. Such consultations shall be
exempt from the requirements of section 552b of title 5, United States
Code (commonly referred to as the Government in the Sunshine Act).
(d)
Guidelines and notice
In acting under this section, the Chairman, or other member of the Commission delegated authority
under subsection (b), shall conform to the policy guidelines of the
Commission.
(e)
Termination of emergency
Upon termination of the emergency, the Chairman shall immediately notify the Commission, the
public, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives, and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the
Senate.
(f)
Report
Within 30 days following the conclusion of the emergency, the Chairman, or the member of the
Commission or member of the staff delegated the emergency functions under
subsection (b), shall render a complete report of all actions taken during
the emergency, specifically delineating actions taken utilizing the
authority provided in this section, to the Commission, the Committee on
Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the Senate.
(g)
Commission procedures
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall revise its
procedures to comply with the requirements of this section. Such revision
shall define the roles of the Commissioners during an emergency,
specifying—
(1) complete access to records and information relating to actions taken during the emergency;
(2) complete access to Commission staff involved in the management of the emergency;
(3) complete access to the location or locations where decisions are made during the emergency; and
(4) participation in decisions that may affect Commission actions and policies beyond the response to a
particular emergency to the extent practicable.
10014.
Reporting
(a)
Delegation; direct communication
The Chairman may make such delegations and provide for such reporting as the Chairman deems
necessary, subject to provisions of law. Any officer or employee under the
Commission may communicate directly to the Commission, or to any member of
the Commission, whenever in the view of such officer or employee a
critical problem, or matter of public health and safety or common defense
and security, is not being properly addressed.
(b)
Executive Director for Operations
The Executive Director for Operations shall report for all matters to the Chairman.
(c)
Functions
The Directors of Nuclear Reactor Regulations, Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, and Nuclear
Regulatory Research shall report to the Executive Director for Operations.
(d)
Direct reporting
The heads of the Commission level offices or successor offices, of General Counsel, Secretary of
the Commission, Commission Appellate Adjudication, Congressional Affairs,
Public Affairs, International Programs, Atomic Safety and Licensing Board
Panel, and Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards shall report directly
to the Commission and the Commission shall receive such reports.
10015.
Rescission of Reorganization Plan approval
Approval of Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1980 (5 U.S.C. App. 1) is rescinded.
B
Miscellaneous
10021.
Certification of documents transmitted to Congress
A letter or other document transmitted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, on behalf of the full
Commission, to a member of Congress in his or her capacity as chairman or
ranking minority member of a Committee of Congress, shall include a
certification that the letter or document is being sent to both the
Chairman and ranking minority member of that Committee in accordance with
established Commission procedures.
10022.
Time limits for Commission review of Atomic Safety and Licensing Board decisions
When reviewing the decisions and actions of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, the Commission
shall follow the following procedures:
(1) Each Commissioner shall vote on the matter not later than 90 days after receipt of final briefs,
after which time the Commission shall not further delay a decision. Once a
majority position is established, the Secretary shall notify in writing
any Commissioners who have not voted that a majority position has been
established. Any Commissioners who have not yet voted shall vote within
three days of the Secretary’s notice or be considered by the Secretary as
not participating.
(2) Not later than 30 days after a majority position is established, the Commission shall publish any
resulting decision, including adjudicatory orders and direction to agency
staff. If a majority position is not established due to a tied vote, not
later than 30 days after Commission voting is complete, the Commission
shall publish any resulting decision, including adjudicatory orders and
direction to agency staff.
10023.
Allegations of wrongdoing
(a)
Referral to inspector general
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
shall revise its procedures to ensure that any allegation of wrongdoing on
the part of the Chairman of the Commission is immediately referred to the
Inspector General of the Commission.
(b)
Supervision of inspector general
During the pendency of any investigation by the Inspector General of the Chairman with respect to
an allegation described in subsection (a), the Chairman shall delegate
responsibility for supervising the Inspector General to a member of the
Commission other than the Chairman, consistent with the Inspector General
Act of 1978.
10024.
Approval of Commissioner travel
The Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall authorize all international travel
requested by other members of the Commission for official business unless
the Chairman submits a notice of disapproval to the full Commission
specifying the basis for the disapproval. The notice of disapproval shall
be submitted within 5 days after the travel is requested or the travel
shall be deemed approved.
10025.
Implementation
Except as otherwise specified in this title, the Commission shall revise its procedures to conform
to this title within 180 days of its date of enactment.
XX
Permitting for onshore and offshore wind energy
A
Offshore meteorological site testing and monitoring
11001.
Short title
This subtitle may be cited at the Advancing Offshore Wind Production Act.
11002.
Offshore meteorological site testing and monitoring projects
(a)
Definition of an offshore meteorological site testing and monitoring project
In this section, the term offshore meteorological site testing and monitoring project means a project carried out on or in the waters of the Outer Continental Shelf administered by the
Department of the Interior to test or monitor weather (including wind,
tidal, current, and solar energy) using towers, buoys, or other temporary
ocean infrastructure, that—
(1) causes—
(A) less than 1 acre of surface or seafloor disruption at the location of each meteorological tower or
other device; and
(B) not more than 5 acres of surface or seafloor disruption within the proposed area affected by for
the project (including hazards to navigation);
(2) is decommissioned not more than 5 years after the date of commencement of the project, including—
(A) removal of towers, buoys, or other temporary ocean infrastructure from the project site; and
(B) restoration of the project site to approximately the original condition of the site; and
(3) provides meteorological information obtained by the project to the Secretary of the Interior.
(b)
Offshore meteorological project permitting
(1)
In general
The Secretary of the Interior shall by regulation require that any applicant seeking to conduct an
offshore meteorological site testing and monitoring project on the outer
Continental Shelf (as that term is defined in the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.)) must obtain a permit and right-of-way
for the project in accordance with this subsection.
(2)
Permit and right-of-way timeline and conditions
(A)
Deadline for approval
The Secretary shall decide whether to issue a permit and right-of-way for an offshore
meteorological site testing and monitoring project within 30 days after
receiving an application.
(B)
Public comment and consultation
During the period referred to in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall—
(i) provide an opportunity for submission of comments by the public; and
(ii) consult with the Secretary of Defense, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the heads of other
Federal, State, and local agencies that would be affected by issuance of
the permit and right-of-way.
(C)
Denial of permit; opportunity to remedy deficiencies
If the application is denied, the Secretary shall provide the applicant—
(i) in writing, clear and comprehensive reasons why the application was not approved and detailed
information concerning any deficiencies in the application; and
(ii) an opportunity to remedy such deficiencies.
(c)
NEPA exclusion
Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) shall not
apply with respect to an offshore meteorological site testing and
monitoring project.
(d)
Protection of information
The information provided to the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to subsection (a)(3) shall be
treated by the Secretary as proprietary information and protected against
disclosure.
B
Onshore meteorological site testing and monitoring
11011.
Short title
This subtitle may be cited at the Reducing Regulatory Obstacles to Wind Energy Production Act.
11012.
Onshore meteorological site testing and monitoring project
(a)
Definition of meteorological site testing and monitoring project
In this section, the term meteorological site testing and monitoring project means a project carried out on land administered by the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest
Service to test or monitor weather (including wind and solar energy) using
towers or other devices, that—
(1) causes—
(A) less than 1 acre of soil or vegetation disruption at the location of each meteorological tower or
other device; and
(B) not more than 5 acres of soil or disruption within the proposed right-of-way for the project;
(2) is installed—
(A) to the maximum extent practicable, using existing access roads;
(B) in a manner that does not require off-road motorized access other than 1 installation activity and
1 decommissioning activity along an identified off-road route approved by
the Director of the Bureau of Land Management or Chief of the Forest
Service;
(C) without construction of new roads other than upgrading of existing minor drainage crossings for
safety purposes; and
(D) without the use of digging or drilling equipment vehicles other than rubber-tired vehicles with
gross weight ratings under 8,500 pounds;
(3) is decommissioned not more than 5 years after the date of commencement of the project, including—
(A) removal of any towers, devices, or other surface infrastructure from the site; and
(B) restoration of the site to approximately the condition that existed at the time the project began;
and
(4) provides meteorological information obtained by the permitted project to the Bureau of Land
Management and the Forest Service.
(b)
NEPA exclusion
Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) shall not
apply with respect to a meteorological site testing and monitoring
project.
(c)
Permit timeline and conditions
(1)
In general
The Director of the Bureau of Land Management or Chief of the Forest Service, as applicable, shall
decide whether to issue a permit for a project that is a meteorological
site testing and monitoring project within 30 days after receiving an
application for the permit.
(2)
Public comment and consultation
During the period referred to in paragraph (1), the Director of the Bureau of Land Management or
the Chief of the Forest Service, as applicable, shall—
(A) provide an opportunity for submission of comments by the public; and
(B) consult with the heads of other Federal, State, and local agencies that would be affected by the
issuance of the permit.
(3)
Denial of Application
If the application is denied, the Director or Chief, respectively, shall provide the applicant—
(A) in writing, clear and comprehensive reasons why the application was not approved and detailed
information concerning any deficiencies, and
(B) an opportunity to remedy any deficiencies.
(d)
Protection of information
The information provided to the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service pursuant to
subsection (a)(4) shall be treated by such agency as proprietary
information and protected against disclosure.
XXI
Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom
12001.
Short title
This title may be cited as the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act.
12002.
Amendments
Section 3(c) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b(c)) is amended—
(1) by inserting (1) before For purposes;
(2) by striking a nation with which there is in effect a free trade agreement requiring national treatment for
trade in natural gas and inserting a World Trade Organization member nation; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term World Trade Organization member nation means a country described in section 2(10) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C.
3501(10)).
.
12003.
Pending applications
Any application for authorization to export natural gas under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15
U.S.C. 717b) for which a notice has been published in the Federal Register
before March 6, 2014, shall be granted without modification or delay.
IV
Access to Capital
XXII
Small Business Access to Capital
13001.
Registration and reporting exemptions relating to private equity funds advisors
Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80b–3) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
(o)
Exemption of and reporting requirements by private equity funds advisors
(1)
In general
Except as provided in this subsection, no investment adviser shall be subject to the registration
or reporting requirements of this title with respect to the provision of
investment advice relating to a private equity fund or funds, provided
that each such fund has not borrowed and does not have outstanding a
principal amount in excess of twice its invested capital commitments.
(2)
Maintenance of records and access by Commission
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall issue
final rules—
(A) to require investment advisers described in paragraph (1) to maintain such records and provide to
the Commission such annual or other reports as the Commission taking into
account fund size, governance, investment strategy, risk, and other
factors, as the Commission determines necessary and appropriate in the
public interest and for the protection of investors; and
(B) to define the term private equity fund for purposes of this subsection.
.
XXIII
Community Lending Enhancement and Regulatory Relief
14001.
Changes required to small bank holding company policy statement on assessment of financial and
managerial factors
(a)
Small bank holding company policy statement on assessment of financial and managerial factors
(1)
In general
Before the end of the 6-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this title, the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall publish in the
Federal Register proposed revisions to the Small Bank Holding Company
Policy Statement on Assessment of Financial and Managerial Factors (12
C.F.R. part 225—appendix C) that provide that the policy shall apply to a
bank holding company which has pro forma consolidated assets of less than
$5,000,000,000 and that—
(A) is not engaged in any nonbanking activities involving significant leverage; and
(B) does not have a significant amount of outstanding debt that is held by the general public.
(2)
Adjustment of amount
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall annually adjust the dollar amount
referred to in paragraph (1) in the Small Bank Holding Company Policy
Statement on Assessment of Financial and Managerial Factors by an amount
equal to the percentage increase, for the most recent year, in total
assets held by all insured depository institutions, as determined by the
Board.
(b)
Increase in debt-to-Equity ratio of small bank holding company
Before the end of the 6-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this title, the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall publish in the
Federal Register proposed revisions to the Small Bank Holding Company
Policy Statement on Assessment of Financial and Managerial Factors (12
C.F.R. part 225—appendix C) such that the debt-to-equity ratio allowable
for a small bank holding company in order to remain eligible to pay a
corporate dividend and to remain eligible for expedited processing
procedures under Regulation Y of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System would increase from 1:1 to 3:1.
14002.
Escrow requirements
(a)
In general
Section 129D(c) of the Truth in Lending Act, as added by section 1461(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, is amended—
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) as subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) and
moving such subparagraphs 2 ems to the right;
(2) striking The Board and inserting the following:
(1)
In general
The Board
; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(2)
Treatment of loans held by smaller creditors
The Board shall, by regulation, exempt from the requirements of subsection (a) any loan secured by
a first lien on a consumer’s principle dwelling, if such loan is held by a
creditor with assets of $10,000,000,000 or less.
.
14003.
Exception to annual privacy notice requirement under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
Section 503 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6803) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
(f)
Exception to annual notice requirement
A financial institution that—
(1) provides nonpublic personal information only in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b)(2)
or (e) of section 502 or regulations prescribed under section 504(b), and
(2) has not changed its policies and practices with regard to disclosing nonpublic personal information
from the policies and practices that were disclosed in the most recent
disclosure sent to consumers in accordance with this subsection,
shall not be required to provide an annual disclosure under this subsection until such time as the
financial institution fails to comply with any criteria described in
paragraph (1) or (2).
.
14004.
Accounting principles cost-benefit requirements
Section 19(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77s(b)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
(3)
Generally accepted accounting principles cost-benefit requirements
The Commission or its designee shall conduct analyses of the costs and benefits (including economic
benefits) of any new or amended accounting principle described under
paragraph (1), and may not recognize such new or amended accounting
principle, unless the Commission or its designee determines that the
benefits to investors of such new or amended accounting principle
significantly outweigh its costs.
.
14005.
Community bank exemption from annual management assessment of internal controls requirement of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 7262) is amended by adding the following
new subsection:
(d)
Community bank exemption
(1)
In general
This section shall not apply in any year to any insured depository institution which, as of the
close of the preceding year, had total assets, as determined on a
consolidated basis, of $10,000,000,000 or less.
(2)
Adjustment of amount
The Commission shall annually adjust the dollar amount in paragraph (1) by an amount equal to the
percentage increase, for the most recent year, in total assets held by all
depository institutions, as reported by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation.
.
14006.
Certain loans included as qualified mortgages
Section 129C(b)(2) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1639c(b)(2)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (A)—
(A) in clause (viii), by striking and at the end;
(B) in clause (ix), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
(x) that is originated and retained in portfolio for a period of at least 3 years by a creditor having
less than $10,000,000,000 in total assets.
; and
(2) in subparagraph (E)—
(A) by striking The Board may, by regulation and inserting The Bureau shall, by regulation; and
(B) by amending clause (iv) to read as follows:
(iv) that is extended by a creditor that—
(I) originates and retains the balloon loans in portfolio for a period of at least 3 years; and
(II) together with all affiliates, has total assets of $10,000,000,000 or less.
.
14007.
Increase in small servicer exemption
Section 6 of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (12 U.S.C. 2605) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
(n)
Small servicer exemption
The Bureau shall, by regulation, provide exemptions to, or adjustments for, the provisions of this
section for servicers that service 20,000 or fewer mortgage loans, in
order to reduce regulatory burdens while appropriately balancing consumer
protections.
.
14008.
Appraiser qualification threshold
Section 1112(b) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12
U.S.C. 3341(b)) is amended—
(1) by striking may establish a threshold level at or and inserting shall establish a threshold level of $250,000,; and
(2) by striking transactions, if and inserting transactions. Each Federal financial institutions regulatory agency and the Resolution Trust
Corporation may establish a higher threshold than $250,000, if.
14009.
Coordination among financial institutions
Chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by inserting after section 5332 the following new section:
5333.
Coordination among financial institutions
(a)
In general
In the case of an entry received via an automated clearing house, no receiving depository financial
institution shall be required to verify that the entry is not a prohibited
transaction, if the originating depository financial institution has
warranted, pursuant to the automated clearing house rules governing such
entry or otherwise, that the originating depository financial institution
has complied with the sanctions programs administered by the Office of
Foreign Assets Control in connection with such entry.
(b)
Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1)
Automated clearing house
The term automated clearing house means a funds transfer system governed by rules which provide for the interbank clearing of
electronic entries for participating depository financial institutions.
(2)
Depository financial institution
The term depository financial institution means—
(A) any insured depository institution, as such term is defined under section 3 of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(B) any depository institution which is eligible to apply to become an insured depository institution
under section 5 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1815);
(C) any insured credit union, as defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C.
1752); and
(D) any credit union which is eligible to apply to become an insured credit union pursuant to section
201 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1781).
(3)
Entry
The term entry means an order to request for the transfer of funds through an automated clearing house.
(4)
Originating depository financial institution
The term originating depository financial institution means a depository financial institution that transmits entries via an automated clearing house
for transmittal to a receiving depository financial institution.
(5)
Prohibited transaction
The term prohibited transaction means a funds transfer originated on behalf of a person to or from whom funds transfers are
restricted by a sanctions program administered by the Office of Foreign
Assets Control, including persons appearing on the list of specially
designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of
Foreign Assets Control.
(6)
Receiving depository financial institution
The term receiving depository financial institution means a depository financial institution that receives entries via an automated clearing house
from an originating depository financial institution for debit or credit
to the accounts of its customers.
; and
(2) in the table of contents for such chapter by inserting after the item relating to section 5332 the
following new item:
5333. Coordination among financial institutions.
.