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 
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A BILL 
To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to authorize the Sec-
retary of the Interior to conduct onshore oil and gas 
lease sales through Internet-based live lease sales, and 
for other purposes. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘BLM Live Internet 
Auctions Act’’. 
SEC. 2. INTERNET-BASED ONSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASE 
SALES. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—Section 17(b)(1) of the Min-
eral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(b)(1)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), in the third sentence, 
by inserting ‘‘, except as provided in subparagraph 
(C)’’ after ‘‘by oral bidding’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) In order to diversify and expand the Nation’s 
onshore leasing program to ensure the best return to the 
Federal taxpayer, reduce fraud, and secure the leasing 
process, the Secretary may conduct onshore lease sales 
through Internet-based bidding methods. Each individual 
Internet-based lease sale shall conclude within 7 days.’’. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the tenth 
Internet-based lease sale conducted under the amendment 
made by subsection (a), the Secretary of the Interior shall 
analyze the first 10 such lease sales and report to Con-
gress the findings of the analysis. The report shall in-
clude— 
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(1) estimates on increases or decreases in such 
lease sales, compared to sales conducted by oral bid-
ding, in— 
(A) the number of bidders; 
(B) the average amount of bid; 
(C) the highest amount bid; and 
(D) the lowest bid; 
(2) an estimate on the total cost or savings to 
the Department of the Interior as a result of such 
sales, compared to sales conducted by oral bidding; 
and 
(3) an evaluation of the demonstrated or ex-
pected effectiveness of different structures for lease 
sales which may provide an opportunity to better 
maximize bidder participation, ensure the highest re-
turn to the Federal taxpayers, minimize opportuni-
ties for fraud or collusion, and ensure the security 
and integrity of the leasing process. 
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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 
Secretary of the Interior to conduct onshore oil 
and gas lease sales through Internet-based live 
lease sales, and for other purposes. 
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013 
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
State of the Union and ordered to be printed 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
20:55 Sep 10, 2013
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PO 00000
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