Bill · H.R. 1194· House(119-HR-1194)
Federal Lands and Waters Leasing Transparency Act
- Introduced
- 2/11/2025
- Last activity
- 2/11/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
- Sponsored by
- Clay Higgins
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Federal Lands and Waters Leasing Transparency Act aims to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Mineral Leasing Act. It requires the Secretary to provide a report to bidders explaining why a bid was determined not to meet fair market value for a covered lease tract. The bill also limits the ability of court orders to prevent the Secretary from issuing onshore oil and gas leases by a specific 60-day deadline. Additionally, it establishes new rules regarding civil actions that challenge offshore oil and gas lease sales. These rules ensure that such challenges do not affect the validity of issued leases or delay the processing of related applications.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill requires the Secretary to provide a report explaining why a bid was determined not to meet fair market value.
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
The bill creates a more predictable regulatory environment for energy companies and lease bidders.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+1
The bill provides greater regulatory certainty and transparency for bidders in the oil and gas industry.
The opposite
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?-3
The bill facilitates faster and more certain oil and gas lease issuances, which may lead to increased fossil fuel production.
Does this change how police departments operate?-1
The bill limits the ability of courts to issue injunctions to stop lease issuances, which may limit judicial oversight.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency in Bidding: If the Secretary determines a bid does not meet fair market value, they must provide a report explaining the basis for that decision (Section 2). This includes specific economic information if the bid was subject to a resource and economic evaluation (Section s 2).
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Consistency in Lease Issuance: The bill limits court orders from preventing the Secretary from issuing leases by a 60-day deadline, unless the issuance violates Federal law (Section 3).
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Protection Against Delays: Civil actions challenging offshore lease sales will not cause delays in the timelines for processing exploration plans, development plans, or permit applications (Section 4).
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Certainty of Lease Validity: Even if a civil action challenges an offshore lease sale, that action will not affect the validity of any lease already issued (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limitation of Judicial Oversight: A court order cannot prevent the Secretary from issuing a lease by the 60-day deadline unless the court finds the issuance violates Federal law (Section 3).
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Restrictions on Legal Remedies: In cases where a court finds an offshore lease sale did not comply with Federal law, the court is prohibited from setting aside, vacating, or enjoining the sale or the issued leases (Section 4).
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Mandatory Processing of Applications: Even if a court finds a sale was not in compliance with Federal law, the Secretary is still required to continue processing all related exploration, development, and permit applications (Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Fossil Fuel Production-3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform-1
- 2/11/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Harriet HagemanRepublican · Wyoming