IB 

Union Calendar No. 148 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 555 

[Report No. 113–201] 

To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior 

to conduct onshore oil and gas lease sales through Internet-based live 

lease sales, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 6, 2013 

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio (for himself, Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina, and Mr. 

BISHOP of Utah) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 

Committee on Natural Resources 

SEPTEMBER 10, 2013 

Additional sponsors: Mr. THORNBERRY, Mr. CRAMER, and Mr. GOSAR

SEPTEMBER 10, 2013 

Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union 

and ordered to be printed 


sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
2 

•HR 555 RH

A BILL 

To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct onshore oil and gas 

lease sales through Internet-based live lease sales, and 

for other purposes. 


sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
3 

•HR 555 RH

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘BLM Live Internet 

5 Auctions Act’’. 

6 SEC. 2. INTERNET-BASED ONSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASE 

7 SALES. 

8 (a) AUTHORIZATION.—Section 17(b)(1) of the Min9 eral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(b)(1)) is amended— 

10 (1) in subparagraph (A), in the third sentence, 

11 by inserting ‘‘, except as provided in subparagraph 

12 (C)’’ after ‘‘by oral bidding’’; and 

13 (2) by adding at the end the following: 

14 ‘‘(C) In order to diversify and expand the Nation’s 

15 onshore leasing program to ensure the best return to the 

16 Federal taxpayer, reduce fraud, and secure the leasing 

17 process, the Secretary may conduct onshore lease sales 

18 through Internet-based bidding methods. Each individual 

19 Internet-based lease sale shall conclude within 7 days.’’. 

20 (b) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the tenth 

21 Internet-based lease sale conducted under the amendment 

22 made by subsection (a), the Secretary of the Interior shall 

23 analyze the first 10 such lease sales and report to Con24 gress the findings of the analysis. The report shall in25 clude— 


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•HR 555 RH

1 (1) estimates on increases or decreases in such 

2 lease sales, compared to sales conducted by oral bid3 ding, in— 

4 (A) the number of bidders; 

5 (B) the average amount of bid; 

6 (C) the highest amount bid; and 

7 (D) the lowest bid; 

8 (2) an estimate on the total cost or savings to 

9 the Department of the Interior as a result of such 

10 sales, compared to sales conducted by oral bidding; 

11 and 

12 (3) an evaluation of the demonstrated or ex13 pected effectiveness of different structures for lease 

14 sales which may provide an opportunity to better 

15 maximize bidder participation, ensure the highest re16 turn to the Federal taxpayers, minimize opportuni17 ties for fraud or collusion, and ensure the security 

18 and integrity of the leasing process. 


sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS

sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
Union Calendar No. 148 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 555 

[Report No. 113–201] 

A BILL 

To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to authorize the 

lease sales, and for other purposes. and gas lease sales through Internet-based live Secretary of the Interior to conduct onshore oil 

SEPTEMBER 10, 2013 

Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 

State of the Union and ordered to be printed 


sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS