,,ii ,calendar ,no4 #aij #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #aeac ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #ag1 #bjac,mr4 ,wyden 7for himself and ,ms4 ,murkowski7 introduced the following bill2 which was read the first time ,september #ah1 #bjac,read the second time and placed on the calendar ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,helium ,act to complete the privatization of the ,federal helium reserve in a competitive market fashion that ensures stability in the helium markets while protecting the interests of ,american taxpayers1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,high ,technology ,jobs ,preservation ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,definitions ,section #b of the ,helium ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afg7 is amended to read as follows3 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,cliffside ,field ,the term ,cliffside ,field means the helium storage reservoir in which the ,federal ,helium ,reserve is stored4 7#b7 ,federal ,helium ,pipeline ,the term ,federal ,helium ,pipeline means the federally owned pipeline system through which the ,federal ,helium ,reserve may be transported4 7#c7 ,federal ,helium ,reserve ,the term ,federal ,helium ,reserve means helium reserves owned by the ,united ,states4 7#d7 ,federal ,helium ,system ,the term ,federal ,helium ,system means-- 7,a7 the ,federal ,helium ,reserve2 7,b7 the ,cliffside ,field2 7,c7 the ,federal ,helium ,pipeline2 and 7,d7 all other infrastructure owned1 leased1 or managed under contract by the ,secretary for the storage1 transportation1 withdrawal1 enrichment1 purification1 or management of helium4 7#e7 ,federal user ,the term ,federal user means a ,federal agency or extramural holder of one or more ,federal research grants using helium4 7#f7 ,low-,btu gas ,the term low-,btu gas means a fuel gas with a heating value of less than #bej ,btu per standard cubic foot measured as the higher heating value resulting from the inclusion of noncombustible gases1 including nitrogen1 helium1 argon1 and carbon dioxide4 7#g7 ,person ,the term person means any individual1 corporation1 partnership1 firm1 association1 trust1 estate1 public or private institution1 or ,state or political subdivision4 7#h7 ,priority pipeline access ,the term priority pipeline access means the first priority of delivery of crude helium under which the ,secretary schedules and ensures the delivery of crude helium to a helium refinery through the ,federal ,helium ,system4 7#i7 ,qualified bidder 7,a7 ,in general ,the term qualified bidder means a person the ,secretary determines is seeking to purchase helium for their own use1 refining1 or redelivery to users4 7,b7 ,exclusion ,the term qualified bidder does not include a person who was previously determined to be a qualified bidder if the ,secretary determines that the person did not meet the requirements of a qualified bidder under this ,act4 7#aj7 ,qualifying domestic helium transaction ,the term qualifying domestic helium transaction means any agreement entered into or renegotiated agreement during the preceding #a-year period in the ,united ,states for the purchase or sale of at least #ae1jjj1jjj standard cubic feet of crude or pure helium to which any holder of a contract with the ,secretary for the acceptance1 storage1 delivery1 or redelivery of crude helium from the ,federal ,helium ,system is a party4 7#aa7 ,refiner ,the term refiner means a person with the ability to take delivery of crude helium from the ,federal ,helium ,pipeline and refine the crude helium into pure helium4 7#ab7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 4 #c4 ,authority of ,secretary ,section #c of the ,helium ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afg;a7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7c7 ,extraction of helium from deposits on ,federal land ,all amounts received by the ,secretary from the sale or disposition of helium on ,federal land shall be credited to the ,helium ,production ,fund established under section #f7;e74 4 #d4 ,storage1 withdrawal and transportation ,section #e of the ,helium ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afg;c7 is amended to read as follows3 #e4 ,storage1 withdrawal and transportation 7a7 ,in general ,if the ,secretary provides helium storage1 withdrawal1 or transportation services to any person1 the ,secretary shall impose a fee on the person that accurately reflects the economic value of those services4 7b7 ,minimum fees ,the fees charged under subsection 7a7 shall be not less than the amount required to reimburse the ,secretary for the full costs of providing storage1 withdrawal1 or transportation services1 including capital investments in upgrades and maintenance at the ,federal ,helium ,system4 7c7 ,schedule of fees ,prior to sale or auction under subsection 7a71 7b71 or 7c7 of section #f1 the ,secretary shall annually publish a standardized schedule of fees that the ,secretary will charge under this section4 7d7 ,treatment ,all fees received by the ,secretary under this section shall be credited to the ,helium ,production ,fund established under section #f7;e74 7e7 ,storage and delivery ,in accordance with this section1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 allow any person or qualified bidder to which crude helium is sold or auctioned under section #f to store helium in the ,federal ,helium ,reserve2 and 7#b7 establish a schedule for the transportation and delivery of helium using the ,federal ,helium ,system that-- 7,a7 ensures timely delivery of helium auctioned pursuant to section #f7;b77#b72 7,b7 ensures timely delivery of helium acquired from the ,secretary from the ,federal ,helium ,reserve by means other than an auction under section #f7;b77#b71 including nonallocated sales2 and 7,c7 provides priority access to the ,federal ,helium ,pipeline for in-kind sales for ,federal users4 7f7 ,new pipeline access ,the ,secretary shall consider any applications for access to the ,federal ,helium ,pipeline in a manner consistent with the schedule for phasing out commercial sales and disposition of assets pursuant to section #f4 4 #e4 ,sale of crude helium ,section #f of the ,helium ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afg;d7 is amended to read as follows3 #f4 ,sale of crude helium 7a7 ,phase ,a3 ,allocation transition 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall offer crude helium for sale in such quantities1 at such times1 at not less than the minimum price established under subsection 7b77#g71 and under such terms and conditions as the ,secretary determines necessary to carry out this subsection with minimum market disruption4 7#b7 ,federal purchases ,federal users may purchase refined helium with priority pipeline access under this subsection from persons who have entered into enforceable contracts to purchase an equivalent quantity of crude helium at the in-kind price from the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,duration ,this subsection applies during-- 7,a7 the period beginning on the date of enactment of the ,high ,technology ,jobs ,preservation ,act of #bjac and ending on ,september #cj1 #bjad2 and 7,b7 any period during which the sale of helium under subsection 7b7 is delayed or suspended4 7b7 ,phase ,b3 ,auction implementation 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall offer crude helium for sale in quantities not subject to auction under paragraph 7#b71 after completion of each auction1 at not less than the minimum price established under paragraph 7#g71 and under such terms and conditions as the ,secretary determines necessary-- 7,a7 to maximize total recovery of helium from the ,federal ,helium ,reserve over the long term2 7,b7 to maximize the total financial return to the taxpayer2 7,c7 to manage crude helium sales according to the ability of the ,secretary to extract and produce helium from the ,federal ,helium ,reserve2 7,d7 to give priority to meeting the helium demand of ,federal users in the event of any disruption to the ,federal ,helium ,reserve2 and 7,e7 to carry out this subsection with minimum market disruption4 7#b7 ,auction quantities ,for the period described in paragraph 7#d7 and consistent with the conditions described in paragraph 7#h71 the ,secretary shall annually auction to any qualified bidder a quantity of crude helium in the ,federal ,helium ,reserve equal to-- 7,a7 for fiscal year #bjae1 #aj percent of the total volume of crude helium made available for that fiscal year2 7,b7 for each of fiscal years #bjaf through #bjai1 a percentage of the total volume of crude helium that is #ae percentage points greater than the percentage made available for the previous fiscal year2 and 7,c7 for fiscal year #bjbj and each fiscal year thereafter1 #ajj percent of the total volume of crude helium made available for that fiscal year4 7#c7 ,federal purchases ,federal users may purchase refined helium with priority pipeline access under this subsection from persons who have entered into enforceable contracts to purchase an equivalent quantity of crude helium at the in-kind price from the ,secretary4 7#d7 ,duration ,this subsection applies during the period-- 7,a7 beginning on ,october #a1 #bjad2 and 7,b7 ending on the date on which the volume of recoverable crude helium at the ,federal ,helium ,reserve 7other than privately owned quantities of crude helium stored temporarily at the ,federal ,helium ,reserve under section #e and this section7 is #c1jjj1jjj1jjj standard cubic feet4 7#e7 ,safety valve ,the ,secretary may adjust the quantities specified in paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 downward1 if the ,secretary determines the adjustment necessary-- 7i7 to minimize market disruptions that pose a threat to the economic well-being of the ,united ,states2 and 7ii7 only after submitting a written justification of the adjustment to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives2 or 7,b7 upward1 if the ,secretary determines the adjustment necessary to increase participation in crude helium auctions or returns to the taxpayer4 7#f7 ,auction format ,the ,secretary shall conduct each auction using a method that maximizes revenue to the ,federal ,government4 7#g7 ,prices ,the ,secretary shall annually establish1 as applicable1 separate sale and minimum auction prices under subsection 7a77#a7 and paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 using1 if applicable and in the following order of priority3 7,a7 ,the sale price of crude helium in auctions held by the ,secretary under paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,price recommendations and disaggregated data from a qualified1 independent third party who has no conflict of interest1 who shall conduct a confidential survey of qualifying domestic helium transactions4 7,c7 ,the volume-weighted average price of all crude helium and pure helium purchased1 sold1 or processed by persons in all qualifying domestic helium transactions4 7,d7 ,the volume-weighted average cost of converting gaseous crude helium into pure helium4 7#h7 ,terms and conditions 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall require all persons that are parties to a contract with the ,secretary for the withdrawal1 acceptance1 storage1 transportation1 delivery1 or redelivery of crude helium to disclose1 on a strictly confidential basis-- 7i7 the volumes and associated prices in dollars per thousand cubic feet of all crude and pure helium purchased1 sold1 or processed by persons in qualifying domestic helium transactions2 7ii7 the volumes and associated costs in dollars per thousand cubic feet of converting crude helium into pure helium2 and 7iii7 refinery capacity and future capacity estimates4 7,b7 ,condition ,as a condition of sale or auction to a refiner under subsection 7a77#a7 and paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b71 effective beginning #ij days after the date of enactment of the ,high ,technology ,jobs ,preservation ,act of #bjac1 the refiner shall make excess refining capacity of helium available at commercially reasonable rates to-- 7i7 any person prevailing in auctions under paragraph 7#b72 and 7ii7 any person that has acquired crude helium from the ,secretary from the ,federal ,helium ,reserve by means other than an auction under paragraph 7#b7 after the date of enactment of the ,high ,technology ,jobs ,preservation ,act of #bjac1 including nonallocated sales4 7#i7 ,use of information ,the ,secretary may use the information collected under this ,act-- 7,a7 to approximate crude helium prices2 and 7,b7 to ensure the recovery of fair value for the taxpayers of the ,united ,states from sales of crude helium4 7#aj7 ,protection of confidentiality ,the ,secretary shall adopt such administrative policies and procedures as the ,secretary considers necessary and reasonable to ensure the confidentiality of information submitted pursuant to this ,act4 7#aa7 ,forward auctions ,effective beginning in fiscal year #bjaf1 the ,secretary may conduct a forward auction once each fiscal year of a quantity of helium that is equal to up to #aj percent of the volume of crude helium to be made available at auction during the following fiscal year if the ,secretary determines that the forward auction will-- 7,a7 not cause a disruption in the supply of helium from the ,reserve2 7,b7 represent a cost-effective action2 7,c7 generate greater returns for taxpayers2 and 7,d7 increase the effectiveness of price discovery4 7#ab7 ,auction frequency ,consistent with the annual volumes established under paragraph 7#b71 effective beginning in fiscal year #bjaf1 the ,secretary may conduct auctions twice during each fiscal year if the ,secretary determines that the auction frequency will-- 7,a7 not cause a disruption in the supply of helium from the ,reserve2 7,b7 represent a cost-effective action2 7,c7 generate greater returns for taxpayers2 and 7,d7 increase the effectiveness of price discovery4 7c7 ,phase ,c3 ,continued access for ,federal users 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall offer crude helium for sale to ,federal users in such quantities1 at such times1 at such prices required to reimburse the ,secretary for the full costs of the sales1 and under such terms and conditions as the ,secretary determines necessary to carry out this subsection4 7#b7 ,federal purchases ,federal users may purchase refined helium with priority pipeline access under this subsection from persons who have entered into enforceable contracts to purchase an equivalent quantity of crude helium at the in-kind price from the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,effective date ,this subsection applies beginning on the day after the date described in subsection 7b77#d77;,b74 7d7 ,phase ,d3 ,disposal of assets 7#a7 ,in general ,not earlier than #b years after the date of commencement of ,phase ,c described in subsection 7c7 and not later than ,september #cj1 #bjbb1 the ,secretary shall designate as excess property and dispose of all facilities1 equipment1 and other real and personal property1 and all interests in the same1 held by the ,united ,states in the ,federal ,helium ,system4 7#b7 ,applicable law ,the disposal of the property described in paragraph 7#a7 shall be in accordance with subtitle ,i of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#c7 ,proceeds ,all proceeds accruing to the ,united ,states by reason of the sale or other disposal of the property described in paragraph 7#a7 shall be treated as funds received under this ,act for purposes of subsection 7e74 7#d7 ,costs ,all costs associated with the sale and disposal 7including costs associated with termination of personnel7 and with the cessation of activities under this subsection shall be paid from amounts available in the ,helium ,production ,fund established under subsection 7e74 7e7 ,helium ,production ,fund 7#a7 ,in general ,all amounts received under this ,act1 including amounts from the sale or auction of crude helium1 shall be credited to the ,helium ,production ,fund1 which shall be available without fiscal year limitation for purposes determined to be necessary and cost effective by the ,secretary to carry out this ,act 7other than sections #af1 #ag1 and #ah71 including capital investments in upgrades and maintenance at the ,federal ,helium ,system1 including-- 7,a7 well head maintenance at the ,cliffside ,field2 7,b7 capital investments in maintenance and upgrades of facilities that pressurize the ,cliffside ,field2 7,c7 capital investments in maintenance and upgrades of equipment related to the storage1 withdrawal1 transportation1 purification1 and sale of crude helium from the ,federal ,helium ,reserve2 7,d7 entering into purchase1 lease1 or other agreements to drill new or uncap existing wells to maximize the recovery of crude helium from the ,federal ,helium ,system2 and 7,e7 any other scheduled or unscheduled maintenance of the ,federal ,helium ,system4 7#b7 ,excess funds ,amounts in the ,helium ,production ,fund in excess of amounts the ,secretary determines to be necessary to carry out paragraph 7#a7 shall be paid to the general fund of the ,treasury and used to reduce the annual ,federal budget deficit4 7#c7 ,retirement of public debt ,out of amounts paid to the general fund of the ,treasury under paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary of the ,treasury shall use #ea1jjj1jjj to retire public debt4 7#d7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,high ,technology ,jobs ,preservation ,act of #bjac and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of the ,interior 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 describing all expenditures by the ,bureau of ,land ,management to carry out this ,act4 7f7 ,minimum quantity ,the ,secretary shall offer for sale or auction during each fiscal year under subsections 7a71 7b71 and 7c7 a quantity of crude helium that is the lesser of -- 7#a7 the quantity of crude helium offered for sale by the ,secretary during fiscal year #bjab2 or 7#b7 the maximum total production capacity of the ,federal ,helium ,system4 4 #f4 ,information1 assessment1 research1 and strategy ,the ,helium ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afg et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by repealing section #ae 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afgm72 7#b7 by redesignating section #ag 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afg note7 as section #bj2 and 7#c7 by inserting after section #ad 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afgl7 the following3 #ae4 ,information 7a7 ,transparency ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,bureau of ,land ,management1 shall make available on the ,internet information relating to the ,federal ,helium ,system that includes-- 7#a7 continued publication of an open market and in-kind price2 7#b7 aggregated projections of excess refining capacity2 7#c7 ownership of helium held in the ,federal ,helium ,reserve2 7#d7 the volume of helium delivered to persons through the ,federal ,helium ,pipeline2 7#e7 pressure constraints of the ,federal ,helium ,pipeline2 7#f7 an estimate of the projected date when #c1jjj1jjj1jjj standard cubic feet of crude helium will remain in the ,federal ,helium ,reserve and the final phase described in section #f7;c7 will begin2 7#g7 the amount of the fees charged under section #e2 7#h7 the scheduling of crude helium deliveries through the ,federal ,helium ,pipeline2 and 7#i7 other factors that will increase transparency4 7b7 ,reporting ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of the ,helium ,stewardship ,act of #bjac1 to provide the market with appropriate and timely information affecting the helium resource1 the ,director of the ,bureau of ,land ,management shall establish a timely and public reporting process to provide data that affects the helium industry1 including-- 7#a7 annual maintenance schedules and quarterly updates1 that shall include-- 7,a7 the date and duration of planned shutdowns of the ,federal ,helium ,pipeline2 7,b7 the nature of work to be undertaken on the ,federal ,helium ,system1 whether routine1 extended1 or extraordinary2 7,c7 the anticipated impact of the work on the helium supply2 7,d7 the efforts being made to minimize any impact on the supply chain2 and 7,e7 any concerns regarding maintenance of the ,federal ,helium ,pipeline1 including the pressure of the pipeline or deviation from normal operation of the pipeline2 7#b7 for each unplanned outage1 a description of-- 7,a7 the beginning of the outage2 7,b7 the expected duration of the outage2 7,c7 the nature of the problem2 7,d7 the estimated impact on helium supply2 7,e7 a plan to correct problems1 including an estimate of the potential timeframe for correction and the likelihood of plan success within the timeframe2 7,f7 efforts to minimize negative impacts on the helium supply chain2 and 7,g7 updates on repair status and the anticipated online date2 7#c7 monthly summaries of meetings and communications between the ,bureau of ,land ,management and the ,cliffside ,refiners ,limited ,partnership1 including a list of participants and an indication of any actions taken as a result of the meetings or communications2 and 7#d7 current predictions of the lifespan of the ,federal ,helium ,system1 including how much longer the crude helium supply will be available based on current and forecasted demand and the projected maximum production capacity of the ,federal ,helium ,system for the following fiscal year4 #af4 ,helium gas resource assessment 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of the ,high ,technology ,jobs ,preservation ,act of #bjac1 the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey1 shall-- 7#a7 in coordination with appropriate heads of ,state geological surveys-- 7,a7 complete a national helium gas assessment that identifies and quantifies the quantity of helium1 including the isotope helium-#c1 in each reservoir1 including assessments of the constituent gases found in each helium resource1 such as carbon dioxide1 nitrogen1 and natural gas2 and 7,b7 make available the modern seismic and geophysical log data for characterization of the ,bush ,dome ,reservoir2 7#b7 in coordination with appropriate international agencies and the global geology community1 complete a global helium gas assessment that identifies and quantifies the quantity of the helium1 including the isotope helium-#c1 in each reservoir2 7#c7 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,energy1 acting through the ,administrator of the ,energy ,information ,administration1 complete-- 7,a7 an assessment of trends in global demand for helium1 including the isotope helium-#c2 7,b7 a #aj-year forecast of domestic demand for helium across all sectors1 including scientific and medical research1 commercial1 manufacturing1 space technologies1 cryogenics1 and national defense2 and 7,c7 an inventory of medical1 scientific1 industrial1 commercial1 and other uses of helium in the ,united ,states1 including ,federal uses1 that identifies the nature of the helium use1 the amounts required1 the technical and commercial viability of helium recapture and recycling in that use1 and the availability of material substitutes wherever possible2 and 7#d7 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 describing the results of the assessments required under this paragraph4 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #a1jjj1jjj4 #ag4 ,low-,btu gas separation and helium conservation 7a7 ,authorization ,the ,secretary of ,energy shall support programs of research1 development1 commercial application1 and conservation 7including the programs described in subsection 7b77-- 7#a7 to expand the domestic production of low-,btu gas and helium resources2 7#b7 to separate and capture helium from natural gas streams2 and 7#c7 to reduce the venting of helium and helium-bearing low-,btu gas during natural gas exploration and production4 7b7 ,programs 7#a7 ,membrane technology research ,the ,secretary of ,energy1 in consultation with other appropriate agencies1 shall support a civilian research program to develop advanced membrane technology that is used in the separation of low-,btu gases1 including technologies that remove helium and other constituent gases that lower the ,btu content of natural gas4 7#b7 ,helium separation technology ,the ,secretary of ,energy shall support a research program to develop technologies for separating1 gathering1 and processing helium in low concentrations that occur naturally in geological reservoirs or formations1 including-- 7,a7 low-,btu gas production streams2 and 7,b7 technologies that minimize the atmospheric venting of helium gas during natural gas production4 7#c7 ,industrial helium program ,the ,secretary of ,energy1 working through the ,advanced ,manufacturing ,office of the ,department of ,energy1 shall carry out a research program-- 7,a7 to develop low-cost technologies and technology systems for recycling1 reprocessing1 and reusing helium for all medical1 scientific1 industrial1 commercial1 aerospace1 and other uses of helium in the ,united ,states1 including ,federal uses2 and 7,b7 to develop industrial gathering technologies to capture helium from other chemical processing1 including ammonia processing4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #c1jjj1jjj4 #ah4 ,helium-#c separation 7a7 ,interagency cooperation ,the ,secretary shall cooperate with the ,secretary of ,energy1 or a designee1 on any assessment or research relating to the extraction and refining of the isotope helium-#c from crude helium and other potential sources1 including-- 7#a7 gas analysis2 and 7#b7 infrastructure studies4 7b7 ,feasibility study ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,energy1 or a designee1 may carry out a study to assess the feasibility of-- 7#a7 establishing a facility to separate the isotope helium-#c from crude helium2 and 7#b7 exploring other potential sources of the isotope helium-#c4 7c7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,high ,technology ,jobs ,preservation ,act of #bjac1 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 that contains a description of the results of the assessments conducted under this section4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #a1jjj1jjj4 #ai4 ,federal agency helium acquisition strategy ,in anticipation of the implementation of ,phase ,d described in section #f7;d71 and not later than #b years after the date of enactment of the ,high ,technology ,jobs ,preservation ,act of #bjac1 the ,secretary 7in consultation with the ,secretary of ,energy1 the ,secretary of ,defense1 the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation1 the ,administrator of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 and the ,director of the ,national ,institutes of ,health7 shall submit to ,congress a report that provides for ,federal users-- 7#a7 an assessment of the consumption of1 and projected demand for1 crude and refined helium2 7#b7 a description of a #bj-year ,federal strategy for securing access to helium2 7#c7 a determination of a date prior to ,september #cj1 #bjbb1 for the implementation of ,phase ,d as described in section #f7;d7 that minimizes any potential supply disruptions for ,federal users2 7#d7 an assessment of the effects of increases in the price of refined helium and methods and policies for mitigating any determined effects2 and 7#e7 a description of a process for prioritization of uses that accounts for diminished availability of helium supplies that may occur over time4 4 #g4 ,conforming amendments 7a7 ,section #d of the ,helium ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afg;b7 is amended by striking section #f7;f7 each place it appears in subsections 7c77#c71 7c77#d71 and 7d77#b7 and inserting section #f7;d74 7b7 ,section #h of the ,helium ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afg;f7 is repealed4 #h4 ,existing agreements 7a7 ,in general ,this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act shall not affect or diminish the rights and obligations of the ,secretary of the ,interior and private parties under agreements in existence on the date of enactment of this ,act1 except to the extent that the agreements are renewed or extended after that date4 7b7 ,delivery ,no agreement described in subsection 7a7 shall affect or diminish the right of any party that purchases helium after the date of enactment of this ,act in accordance with section #f of the ,helium ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afg;d7 7as amended by section #e7 to receive delivery of the helium in accordance with section #e7;e77#b7 of the ,helium ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afg;c7e77#b77 7as amended by section #d74 #i4 ,regulations ,the ,secretary of the ,interior shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to carry out this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act1 including regulations necessary to prevent unfair acts and practices4 #aj4 ,amendments to other laws 7a7 ,secure rural schools and community self determination program 7#a7 ,secure payments for ,states and counties containing ,federal land 7,a7 ,availability of payments ,section #aja of the ,secure ,rural ,schools and ,community ,self-,determination ,act of #bjjj 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gaaa7 is amended by striking #bjab each place it appears and inserting #bjac4 7,b7 ,elections ,section #ajb7;b7 of the ,secure ,rural ,schools and ,community ,self-,determination ,act of #bjjj 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gaab7;b77 is amended-- 7i7 in paragraph 7#a77;,a71 by striking #bjab and inserting #bjac2 and 7ii7 in paragraph 7#b77;,b71 by striking #bjab each place it appears and inserting #bjac4 7,c7 ,distribution of payments to eligible counties ,section #ajc7;d77#b7 of the ,secure ,rural ,schools and ,community ,self-,determination ,act of #bjjj 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gaac7;d77#b77 is amended by striking and #bjab and inserting through #bjac4 7#b7 ,continuation of authority to conduct special projects on federal land ,title ,,ii of the ,secure ,rural ,schools and ,community ,self-,determination ,act of #bjjj is amended-- 7,a7 in section #bjc7;a77#a7 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gabc7;a77#a771 by striking #bjab and inserting #bjac2 7,b7 in section #bjd7;e77#c77;,b77iii7 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gabd7;e77#c77;,b77iii771 by striking #bjab and inserting #bjac2 7,c7 in section #bje7;a77#d7 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gabe7;a77#d771 by striking #bjaa each place it appears and inserting #bjab2 7,d7 in section #bjg7;a7 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gabg7;a771 by striking #bjab and inserting #bjac2 and 7,e7 in section #bjh 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gabh7-- 7i7 in subsection 7a71 by striking #bjab and inserting #bjac2 and 7ii7 in subsection 7b71 by striking #bjac and inserting #bjad4 7#c7 ,continuation of authority to reserve and use county funds ,section #cjd of the ,secure ,rural ,schools and ,community ,self-,determination ,act of #bjjj 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gadd7 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking #bjab and inserting #bjac 2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7b71 by striking #bjac and inserting #bjad4 7#d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,section #djb of the ,secure ,rural ,schools and ,community ,self-,determination ,act of #bjjj 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gaeb7 is amended by striking #bjab and inserting #bjac4 7b7 ,abandoned well remediation ,section #cdi of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aeijg7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7i7 ,federally drilled wells ,out of any amounts in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #df1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjad and #d1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjah shall be made available to the ,secretary1 without further appropriation and to remain available until expended1 to remediate1 reclaim1 and close abandoned oil and gas wells on current or former ,national ,petroleum ,reserve land4 4 7c7 ,national parks maintenance backlog ,section #had7;g7 of the ,omnibus ,parks and ,public ,lands ,management ,act of #aiif 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #a;f7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 ,available funds ,out of any amounts in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #ej1jjj1jjj shall be made available to the ,secretary of the ,interior for fiscal year #bjah1 without further appropriation and to remain available until expended1 to pay the ,federal funding share of challenge cost-share agreements for deferred maintenance projects and to correct deficiencies in ,national ,park ,service infrastructure4 7#e7 ,cost-share requirement ,not less than #ej percent of the total cost of project for funds made available under paragraph 7#d7 to pay the ,federal funding share shall be derived from non-,federal sources1 including in-kind contribution of goods and services fairly valued4 4 7d7 ,abandoned mine reclamation fund ,section #daa7;h7 of the ,surface ,mining ,control and ,reclamation ,act of #aigg 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #abdj;a7h77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#f7 ,supplemental funding 7,a7 ,waiver of limitation ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#e71 the limitation on the total annual payments to a certified ,state or ,indian tribe under this subsection shall not apply for fiscal year #bjad4 7,b7 ,limitation on waiver ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 the total annual payment to a certified ,state or ,indian tribe under this subsection for fiscal year #bjad shall not be more than #ge1jjj1jjj4 7,c7 ,insufficient amounts ,if the total annual payment to a certified ,state or ,indian tribe under paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 is limited by subparagraph 7,b71 the ,secretary shall-- 7i7 give priority to making payments under paragraph 7#b72 and 7ii7 use any remaining funds to make payments under paragraph 7#a74 4 7e7 ,soda ash royalties ,notwithstanding section #bd of the ,mineral ,leasing ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #bfb7 and the terms of any lease under that ,act1 the royalty rate on the quantity of gross value of the output of sodium compounds and related products at the point of shipment to market from ,federal land in the #b-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this ,act shall be #d percent4 7f7 ,authorization offset ,section #bjg7;c7 of the ,energy ,independence and ,security ,act of #bjjg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agjbb7;c77 is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following3 1 except that the amount authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section not appropriated as of the date of enactment of the ,helium ,stewardship ,act of #bjac shall be reduced by #f1jjj1jjj4 ,september #ah1 #bjac,read the second time and placed on the calendar