Bill > HR2511

This bill, titled the Federal Land Freedom Act of 2013, aims to achieve domestic energy independence by giving states control over the development and production of all forms of energy on specific federal lands. "Federal land" in this context refers to land within a state's borders that is not held in trust for Native American tribes, nor is it part of the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, or a designated wilderness area, as of May 31, 2013. Under this act, states can establish their own programs for leasing, permitting, and regulating energy development on these "available Federal lands." Once a state declares it has such a program, it will be certified by the federal government, and the state will receive all rights to develop energy resources on that land. Importantly, these state programs, once certified, would be considered to meet all federal legal requirements, including those under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act, and would also be exempt from judicial review and the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies make and enforce regulations.