Federal Lands and Waters Leasing Transparency Act
Federal Lands and Waters Leasing Transparency Act
Plain Language Summary
# Federal Lands and Waters Leasing Transparency Act (HR 1194) Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would require the Department of the Interior to explain to unsuccessful bidders why their bids were rejected for federal offshore oil and gas leases. When the government decides a bid doesn't offer fair market value, Interior would have to provide a detailed report showing how the bid compared to other valuation methods. The bill would also prevent courts from blocking or delaying certain onshore and offshore oil and gas lease sales. **Who it affects:** Oil and gas companies bidding on federal leases would be the primary beneficiaries, gaining transparency into rejected bids. The general public may be indirectly affected since these leases involve federal lands and waters that belong to all Americans.
Environmental groups and others who might challenge leases in court would face new restrictions on their legal options. **Current status:** The bill was introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House. No further action has been taken on the legislation.
CRS Official Summary
Federal Lands and Waters Leasing Transparency ActThis bill directs the Department of the Interior to provide explanations to the highest bidders when it rejects their bids for certain offshore oil and gas leases. The bill also prohibits courts from invalidating or delaying certain onshore and offshore oil and gas leases.When Interior determines that the federal government will not receive the fair market value for offshore lease tracts on submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf from the highest bidder, then Interior must provide a report to the bidder that explains the basis for the determination. If the bid was subject to a resource and economic evaluation, the report must include information on how the bid compares to specified valuation metrics. These requirements apply to lease sales in which Interior received at least one bid and did not issue a lease to the highest bidder.Additionally, courts may not prevent Interior from issuing certain onshore oil and gas leases by a 60-day statutory deadline unless the lease would violate federal law.Further, the bill prohibits civil actions that challenge certain offshore oil and gas lease sales from (1) invalidating leases issued under such sales; and (2) delaying the consideration of plans, documents, or applications for a federal authorization or approval of activities for a lease. If a court finds that the sale was not carried out in compliance with federal law, the court must (1) remand the matter to Interior, and (2) direct Interior to correct the noncompliance.
Latest Action
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.