Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act

Summary

Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act This bill exempts certain oil and gas exploration and production activities from permit and environmental review requirements. This exemption applies to activities conducted on nonfederal surface estates located on partially federally-held mineral rights. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from requiring an operator to obtain a federal drilling permit under the Mineral Leasing Act for oil and gas exploration and production activities conducted on a nonfederal surface estate if (1) less than 50% of the subsurface mineral estate to be accessed by the proposed action is federally owned, and (2) the operator submits to the BLM a state permit to conduct such activities on the nonfederal surface estate. Those activities are not considered to be a major federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and thus are exempt from environmental review requirements under NEPA. Further, those activities are exempt from requirements for federal actions under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The bill does not apply to Indian lands.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

House Committee on Natural Resources · U.S. House of Representatives

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Cosponsors

Full history

1. Sep 15, 2026

   Committee vote

   Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

2. Sep 15, 2026

   Committee vote

   Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

3. Sep 15, 2026

   Reported out of committee

   Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 16.

4. Sep 15, 2026

   Reported out of committee

   Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 16.

5. Sep 15, 2026

   In committee

   Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged

Read the record

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