Bill > S1280

This bill, known as the United States Exploration on Idle Tracts Act or the USE IT Act, directs the Department of the Interior to create rules for a graduated annual fee on federal lands, both on land and offshore, that have leases for oil or natural gas production but are not currently producing. This fee is intended to incentivize the use of these "idle tracts" and will increase over time, with specific rates for onshore and offshore lands, adjusted for inflation from 2015. The money collected from this fee will be specifically set aside for the department's expenses related to inspecting, enforcing, and issuing permits for oil and gas activities.