Bill > SB312

This bill establishes a new process for handling federal mineral royalty payments in Ohio, creating a federal mineral royalty clearing fund managed by the state treasurer. The bill defines "federal mineral royalty" as payments received from oil, gas, or mineral production on federal lands, including national forest lands, and establishes a "county of origin" as the county where a wellhead or mine is located. Under the new law, the state treasurer will deposit all federal mineral royalty payments into a dedicated clearing fund, and within 30 days, the director of the office of budget and management will transfer the royalty payments to the respective counties of origin. Counties receiving these funds will be restricted to using the money solely for three specific purposes: planning, construction and maintenance of public facilities, or provision of public services. The bill also clarifies that federal mineral royalties are distinct from forest product revenues and should be handled separately from existing distribution mechanisms for national forest timber sales. Additionally, the bill amends an existing statute to ensure that federal mineral royalties are not treated as forest products and are instead processed through the new clearing fund mechanism.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb312