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To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to improve the assessment of expression of interest fees, and for other purposes.
1/24/2025, 9:20 AM
Summary of Bill HR 678
Bill 119 HR 678, also known as the "Mineral Leasing Act Improvement Act," aims to make changes to the Mineral Leasing Act in order to enhance the assessment of expression of interest fees. The bill also includes provisions for other purposes related to mineral leasing on federal lands.
The Mineral Leasing Act governs the leasing of federal lands for the extraction of minerals such as oil, gas, and coal. One key aspect of the act is the requirement for companies to pay expression of interest fees when they express interest in leasing federal lands for mineral extraction.
The purpose of the bill is to improve the assessment of these expression of interest fees, which are intended to ensure that companies are serious about their interest in leasing federal lands for mineral extraction. By enhancing the assessment process, the bill aims to prevent companies from tying up federal lands without a genuine intent to develop them for mineral extraction. In addition to the changes related to expression of interest fees, the bill also includes other provisions related to mineral leasing on federal lands. These provisions may include updates to regulations, requirements for environmental impact assessments, or other measures aimed at ensuring responsible and efficient mineral extraction on federal lands. Overall, Bill 119 HR 678 seeks to make important improvements to the Mineral Leasing Act in order to promote responsible and efficient mineral extraction on federal lands. The bill aims to strike a balance between facilitating mineral development and protecting federal lands for future generations.
The Mineral Leasing Act governs the leasing of federal lands for the extraction of minerals such as oil, gas, and coal. One key aspect of the act is the requirement for companies to pay expression of interest fees when they express interest in leasing federal lands for mineral extraction.
The purpose of the bill is to improve the assessment of these expression of interest fees, which are intended to ensure that companies are serious about their interest in leasing federal lands for mineral extraction. By enhancing the assessment process, the bill aims to prevent companies from tying up federal lands without a genuine intent to develop them for mineral extraction. In addition to the changes related to expression of interest fees, the bill also includes other provisions related to mineral leasing on federal lands. These provisions may include updates to regulations, requirements for environmental impact assessments, or other measures aimed at ensuring responsible and efficient mineral extraction on federal lands. Overall, Bill 119 HR 678 seeks to make important improvements to the Mineral Leasing Act in order to promote responsible and efficient mineral extraction on federal lands. The bill aims to strike a balance between facilitating mineral development and protecting federal lands for future generations.
Congressional Summary of HR 678
Expression of Interest Sensibility Act
This bill limits when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) may charge a fee for an expression of interest, which is an informal nomination to request that certain federal land be included in a lease sale for the exploration for, and development of, oil or gas.
The bill requires the BLM to charge a fee to a successful bidder when the agency offers the nominated land for sale. If the land covered by an expression of interest does not receive bids during the lease sale, the BLM must charge a fee to the person that submitted the first expression of interest for the land. Thus, the BLM may not charge fees when the land is not made available for a lease sale. (Currently, the BLM charges a fee when a person submits an expression of interest in leasing land, and the fee must be paid even if the land is not offered for sale.)
The bill also requires an expression of interest to remain active for a term of at least five years unless the land covered by the expression of interest is offered at a lease sale.
Current Status of Bill HR 678
Bill HR 678 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since January 23, 2025. Bill HR 678 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on January 23, 2025. Bill HR 678's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. as of January 23, 2025
Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 678
Total Number of Sponsors
1Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
1Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
0Democrat Cosponsors
0Republican Cosponsors
0Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 678
Primary Policy Focus
Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 678
To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to improve the assessment of expression of interest fees, and for other purposes.
To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to improve the assessment of expression of interest fees, and for other purposes.
Comments
Sponsors and Cosponsors of HR 678
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