Bill > HR3231

This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to make several changes to oil and gas leasing and drilling processes. The bill establishes that when a civil action is pending, the Secretary of the Interior must continue processing permits to drill, even if there are ongoing legal challenges, unless a federal court has specifically vacated the lease. It sets a four-year term limit for drilling permits, which expires either at the end of four years or when the underlying lease expires, whichever comes first. The bill also significantly restricts courts' ability to halt or limit oil and gas lease sales, stipulating that lease sales cannot be vacated or stopped unless a court determines that lease development would cause imminent and substantial environmental harm with no other legal remedy available. Additionally, courts are prohibited from preventing lease awards if the Department of the Interior has already opened bids or disclosed high bidders for the lease sale. These provisions are designed to streamline the oil and gas leasing process and reduce legal obstacles to energy development on federal lands.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3231/all-info