To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to extend the period of time during which the Secretary of the Interior is required to collect a fee for each new application for a permit to drill, and for other purposes.

# HR 7831 Summary **What the Bill Would Do** HR 7831 proposes to modify the Mineral Leasing Act by extending the timeframe during which the Secretary of the Interior must collect fees from companies applying for new drilling permits. In simpler terms, it would change the rules about when and how the federal government collects application fees from oil, gas, and mineral companies seeking to drill on public lands.

The bill's full details about what "other purposes" it serves are not specified in the available information. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily affects oil, gas, and mineral extraction companies that apply for federal drilling permits, as well as the Department of the Interior, which manages public lands and collects these fees. Indirectly, it could affect taxpayers, since fees collected help fund federal operations, and potentially environmental and conservation programs that depend on these revenues. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Representative Mike Kennedy (R-UT) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.