How HR 3231 changes current law

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to clarify lease processing during pending civil actions, establishes a term limit for drilling permits, and restricts courts' ability to vacate lease sales under specific conditions.

• 30 U.S.C. 226(p)

  (4) Effect of pending civil action on processing applications for permits to drill.--Pursuant to the requirements of paragraph (2), notwithstanding the existence of any pending civil actions affecting the application or related lease, the Secretary shall process an application for a permit to drill or other authorizations or approvals under a valid existing lease, unless a United States Federal court vacated such lease. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as providing authority to a Federal court to vacate a lease.

  This addition clarifies that pending civil actions do not delay the processing of drilling permit applications unless a court has vacated the lease.

• 30 U.S.C. 226

  (r) Term of Permit To Drill.--A permit to drill issued under this section after the date of the enactment of this subsection shall be valid for one four-year term from the date that the permit is approved, or until the lease regarding which the permit is issued expires, whichever occurs first.

  This establishes a four-year term limit for drilling permits issued after the enactment of this bill.

• 30 U.S.C. 226

  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any oil and gas lease sale held under section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226) or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) shall not be vacated and activities on leases awarded in the sale shall not be otherwise limited, delayed, or enjoined unless the court concludes allowing the development of the challenged lease will pose a risk of an imminent and substantial environmental harm and there is no other equitable remedy available as a matter of law.

  This provision restricts courts from vacating lease sales unless they find imminent environmental harm is likely.

• 42 U.S.C. 4321

  No court, in response to an action brought pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), may enjoin or issue any order preventing the award of leases to a bidder in a lease sale conducted pursuant to section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226) or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) if the Department of the Interior has previously opened bids for such leases or disclosed the high bidder for any tract that was included in such lease sale.

  This prevents courts from halting lease awards if bids have been opened and the high bidder disclosed, streamlining lease sales.