S. 180 — Introduced in Senate

II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 180 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 17, 2019Mr. Hoeven (for himself and Mr. Lee) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To streamline the oil and gas permitting process and to recognize fee ownership for certain oil and gas drilling or spacing units, and for other purposes. 1. Compliance with BLM permitting (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law but subject to any State requirements, a Bureau of Land Management drilling permit shall not be required under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or section 3164.1 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), for an action occurring within an oil and gas drilling or spacing unit if— (1) less than 50 percent of the minerals within the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit are minerals owned by the Federal Government; and (2) the Federal Government does not own or lease the surface estate within the boundaries of the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit. (b) Effect Nothing in this Act affects the right of the Federal Government to receive royalties due to the Federal Government from the production of the Federal minerals within the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit.