HR 4899 RFS
(4) BALANCE.—In appointing members to the 
Board, the Secretary shall ensure a balanced rep-
resentation of industry and research interests. 
(c) CHAIR.—The Secretary shall appoint the Chair 
for the Board from among its members. 
(d) MEETINGS.—The Board shall meet not less than 
3 times per year and shall host, at least once per year, 
a public forum to review and assess the overall energy 
safety performance of Outer Continental Shelf mineral 
and renewable energy resource activities. 
(e) OFFSHORE DRILLING SAFETY ASSESSMENTS 
AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—As part of its duties under 
this section, the Board shall, by not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this section and every 5 
years thereafter, submit to the Secretary a report that— 
(1) assesses offshore oil and gas well control 
technologies, practices, voluntary standards, and 
regulations in the United States and elsewhere; and 
(2) as appropriate, recommends modifications 
to the regulations issued under this title to ensure 
adequate protection of safety and the environment, 
including recommendations on how to reduce regula-
tions and administrative actions that are duplicative 
or unnecessary. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
(f) REPORTS.—Reports of the Board shall be sub-
mitted by the Board to the Committee on Natural Re-
sources of the House or Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate 
and made available to the public in electronically acces-
sible form. 
(g) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members of the Board, 
other than full-time employees of the Federal Government, 
while attending meeting of the Board or while otherwise 
serving at the request of the Secretary or the Director 
while serving away from their homes or regular places of 
business, may be allowed travel expenses, including per 
diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 
of title 5, United States Code, for individuals in the Gov-
ernment serving without pay. 
SEC. 10409. OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF INSPECTION 
FEES. 
Section 22 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 
(43 U.S.C. 1348) is amended by adding at the end of the 
section the following: 
‘‘(g) INSPECTION FEES.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of the 
Interior shall collect from the operators of facilities 
subject to inspection under subsection (c) non-re-
fundable fees for such inspections— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
‘‘(A) at an aggregate level equal to the 
amount necessary to offset the annual expenses 
of inspections of outer Continental Shelf facili-
ties (including mobile offshore drilling units) by 
the Department of the Interior; and 
‘‘(B) using a schedule that reflects the dif-
ferences in complexity among the classes of fa-
cilities to be inspected. 
‘‘(2) OCEAN ENERGY SAFETY FUND.—There is 
established in the Treasury a fund, to be known as 
the ‘Ocean Energy Enforcement Fund’ (referred to 
in this subsection as the ‘Fund’), into which shall be 
deposited all amounts collected as fees under para-
graph (1) and which shall be available as provided 
under paragraph (3). 
‘‘(3) AVAILABILITY OF FEES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding sec-
tion 3302 of title 31, United States Code, all 
amounts deposited in the Fund— 
‘‘(i) shall be credited as offsetting col-
lections; 
‘‘(ii) shall be available for expenditure 
for purposes of carrying out inspections of 
outer Continental Shelf facilities (including 
mobile offshore drilling units) and the ad-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
ministration of the inspection program 
under this section; 
‘‘(iii) shall be available only to the ex-
tent provided for in advance in an appro-
priations Act; and 
‘‘(iv) shall remain available until ex-
pended. 
‘‘(B) USE FOR FIELD OFFICES.—Not less 
than 75 percent of amounts in the Fund may 
be appropriated for use only for the respective 
Department of the Interior field offices where 
the amounts were originally assessed as fees. 
‘‘(4) INITIAL FEES.—Fees shall be established 
under this subsection for the fiscal year in which 
this subsection takes effect and the subsequent 10 
years, and shall not be raised without advise and 
consent of the Congress, except as determined by the 
Secretary to be appropriate as an adjustment equal 
to the percentage by which the Consumer Price 
Index for the month of June of the calendar year 
preceding the adjustment exceeds the Consumer 
Price Index for the month of June of the calendar 
year in which the claim was determined or last ad-
justed. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
‘‘(5) ANNUAL FEES.—Annual fees shall be col-
lected under this subsection for facilities that are 
above the waterline, excluding drilling rigs, and are 
in place at the start of the fiscal year. Fees for fiscal 
year 2013 shall be— 
‘‘(A) $10,500 for facilities with no wells, 
but with processing equipment or gathering 
lines; 
‘‘(B) $17,000 for facilities with 1 to 10 
wells, with any combination of active or inactive 
wells; and 
‘‘(C) $31,500 for facilities with more than 
10 wells, with any combination of active or in-
active wells. 
‘‘(6) FEES FOR DRILLING RIGS.—Fees for drill-
ing rigs shall be assessed under this subsection for 
all inspections completed in fiscal years 2015 
through 2024. Fees for fiscal year 2015 shall be— 
‘‘(A) $30,500 per inspection for rigs oper-
ating in water depths of 1,000 feet or more; 
and 
‘‘(B) $16,700 per inspection for rigs oper-
ating in water depths of less than 1,000 feet. 
‘‘(7) BILLING.—The Secretary shall bill des-
ignated operators under paragraph (5) within 60 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
days after the date of the inspection, with payment 
required within 30 days of billing. The Secretary 
shall bill designated operators under paragraph (6) 
within 30 days of the end of the month in which the 
inspection occurred, with payment required within 
30 days after billing. 
‘‘(8) SUNSET.—No fee may be collected under 
this subsection for any fiscal year after fiscal year 
2024. 
‘‘(9) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 60 
days after the end of each fiscal year beginning 
with fiscal year 2015, the Secretary shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate and the Committee on 
Natural Resources of the House of Representa-
tives a report on the operation of the Fund dur-
ing the fiscal year. 
‘‘(B) CONTENTS.—Each report shall in-
clude, for the fiscal year covered by the report, 
the following: 
‘‘(i) A statement of the amounts de-
posited into the Fund. 
‘‘(ii) A description of the expenditures 
made from the Fund for the fiscal year, in-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
cluding the purpose of the expenditures 
and the additional hiring of personnel. 
‘‘(iii) A statement of the balance re-
maining in the Fund at the end of the fis-
cal year. 
‘‘(iv) An accounting of pace of permit 
approvals. 
‘‘(v) If fee increases are proposed 
after the initial 10-year period referred to 
in paragraph (5), a proper accounting of 
the potential adverse economic impacts 
such fee increases will have on offshore 
economic activity and overall production, 
conducted by the Secretary. 
‘‘(vi) Recommendations to increase 
the efficacy and efficiency of offshore in-
spections. 
‘‘(vii) Any corrective actions levied 
upon offshore inspectors as a result of any 
form of misconduct.’’. 
SEC. 10410. PROHIBITION ON ACTION BASED ON NATIONAL 
OCEAN POLICY DEVELOPED UNDER EXECU-
TIVE ORDER NO. 13547. 
(a) PROHIBITION.—The Bureau of Ocean Energy 
and the Ocean Energy Safety Service may not develop, 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
propose, finalize, administer, or implement, any limitation 
on activities under their jurisdiction as a result of the 
coastal and marine spatial planning component of the Na-
tional Ocean Policy developed under Executive Order No. 
13547. 
(b) REPORT ON EXPENDITURES.—Not later than 60 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the President 
shall submit a report to the Committee on Natural Re-
sources of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate 
identifying all Federal expenditures in fiscal years 2011, 
2012, 2013, and 2014 by the Bureau of Ocean Energy 
and the Ocean Energy Safety Service and their prede-
cessor agencies, by agency, account, and any pertinent 
subaccounts, for the development, administration, or im-
plementation of the coastal and marine spatial planning 
component of the National Ocean Policy developed under 
Executive Order No. 13547, including staff time, travel, 
and other related expenses. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
Subtitle E—United States 
Territories 
SEC. 10501. APPLICATION OF OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF 
LANDS ACT WITH RESPECT TO TERRITORIES 
OF THE UNITED STATES. 
Section 2 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 
(43 U.S.C. 1331) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (a), by inserting after ‘‘con-
trol’’ the following: ‘‘or lying within the United 
States exclusive economic zone and the Continental 
Shelf adjacent to any territory of the United 
States’’; 
(2) in paragraph (p), by striking ‘‘and’’ after 
the semicolon at the end; 
(3) in paragraph (q), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(r) The term ‘State’ includes each territory of the 
United States.’’. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00052
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
Subtitle F—Miscellaneous 
Provisions 
SEC. 10601. RULES REGARDING DISTRIBUTION OF REVE-
NUES UNDER GULF OF MEXICO ENERGY SE-
CURITY ACT OF 2006. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior 
shall issue rules to provide more clarity, certainty, and sta-
bility to the revenue streams contemplated by the Gulf of 
Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 
note). 
(b) CONTENTS.—The rules shall include clarification 
of the timing and methods of disbursements of funds 
under section 105(b)(2) of such Act. 
SEC. 10602. AMOUNT OF DISTRIBUTED QUALIFIED OUTER 
CONTINENTAL SHELF REVENUES. 
Section 105(f)(1) of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Secu-
rity Act of 2006 (title I of division C of Public Law 109– 
432; 43 U.S.C. 1331 note) shall be applied by substituting 
‘‘2024, and shall not exceed $999,999,999 for each of fis-
cal years 2025 through 2055’’ for ‘‘2055’’. 
SEC. 10603. SOUTH ATLANTIC OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF 
PLANNING AREA DEFINED. 
For the purposes of this Act, the Outer Continental 
Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.), and any regula-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00053
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
tions or 5-year plan issued under that Act, the term 
‘‘South Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Planning Area’’ 
means the area of the outer Continental Shelf (as defined 
in section 2 of that Act (43 U.S.C. 1331)) that is located 
between the northern lateral seaward administrative 
boundary of the State of Virginia and the southernmost 
lateral seaward administrative boundary of the State of 
Georgia. 
SEC. 10604. ENHANCING GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL 
INFORMATION FOR AMERICA’S ENERGY FU-
TURE. 
Section 11 of the Outer Continental Shelf lands Act 
(43 U.S.C. 1340) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(i) ENHANCING GEOLOGICAL
AND GEOPHYSICAL 
INFORMATION FOR AMERICA’S ENERGY FUTURE.— 
‘‘(1) The Secretary, acting through the Director 
of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, shall 
facilitate and support the practical study of geology 
and geophysics to better understand the oil, gas, and 
other hydrocarbon potential in the South Atlantic 
Outer Continental Shelf Planning Area by entering 
into partnerships to conduct geological and geo-
physical activities on the outer Continental Shelf. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
‘‘(2)(A) No later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of the Lowering Gasoline Prices to 
Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014, the Gov-
ernors of the States of Georgia, South Carolina, 
North Carolina, and Virginia may each nominate for 
participation in the partnerships— 
‘‘(i) one institution of higher education lo-
cated within the Governor’s State; and 
‘‘(ii) one institution of higher education 
within the Governor’s State that is a histori-
cally black college or university, as defined in 
section 631(a) of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1132(a)). 
‘‘(B) In making nominations, the Governors 
shall give preference to those institutions of higher 
education that demonstrate a vigorous rate of ad-
mission of veterans of the Armed Forces of the 
United States. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall only select as a part-
ner a nominee that the Secretary determines dem-
onstrates excellence in geophysical sciences cur-
riculum, engineering curriculum, or information 
technology or other technical studies relating to seis-
mic research (including data processing). 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
‘‘(4) Notwithstanding subsection (d), nominees 
selected as partners by the Secretary may conduct 
geological and geophysical activities under this sec-
tion after filing a notice with the Secretary 30-days 
prior to commencement of the activity without any 
further authorization by the Secretary except those 
activities that use solid or liquid explosives shall re-
quire a permit. The Secretary may not charge any 
fee for the provision of data or other information 
collected under this authority, other than the cost of 
duplicating any data or information provided. Nomi-
nees selected as partners under this section shall 
provide to the Secretary any data or other informa-
tion collected under this subsection within 60 days 
after completion of an initial analysis of the data or 
other information collected, if so requested by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(5) Data or other information produced as a 
result of activities conducted by nominees selected as 
partners under this subsection shall not be used or 
shared for commercial purposes by the nominee, may 
not be produced for proprietary use or sale, and 
shall be made available by the Secretary to the pub-
lic. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00056
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
‘‘(6) The Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Natural Resources of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Energy and Nat-
ural Resources of the Senate reports on the data or 
other information produced under the partnerships 
under this section. Such reports shall be made no 
less frequently than every 180 days following the 
conduct of the first geological and geophysical activi-
ties under this section. 
‘‘(7) In this subsection the term ‘geological and 
geophysical activities’ means any oil- or gas-related 
investigation conducted on the outer Continental 
Shelf, including geophysical surveys where magnetic, 
gravity, seismic, or other systems are used to detect 
or imply the presence of oil or gas.’’. 
Subtitle G—Judicial Review 
SEC. 10701. TIME FOR FILING COMPLAINT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Any cause of action that arises 
from a covered energy decision must be filed not later than 
the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the 
covered energy decision. Any cause of action not filed with-
in this time period shall be barred. 
(b) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to 
a cause of action brought by a party to a covered energy 
lease. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00057
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
SEC. 10702. DISTRICT COURT DEADLINE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—All proceedings that are subject 
to section 10701— 
(1) shall be brought in the United States dis-
trict court for the district in which the Federal prop-
erty for which a covered energy lease is issued is lo-
cated or the United States District Court of the Dis-
trict of Columbia; 
(2) shall be resolved as expeditiously as pos-
sible, and in any event not more than 180 days after 
such cause or claim is filed; and 
(3) shall take precedence over all other pending 
matters before the district court. 
(b) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH DEADLINE.—If an 
interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order has not 
been issued by the district court by the deadline described 
under this section, the cause or claim shall be dismissed 
with prejudice and all rights relating to such cause or 
claim shall be terminated. 
SEC. 10703. ABILITY TO SEEK APPELLATE REVIEW. 
An interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order 
of the district court in a proceeding that is subject to sec-
tion 10701 may be reviewed by the U.S. Court of Appeals 
for the District of Columbia Circuit. The D.C. Circuit 
shall resolve any such appeal as expeditiously as possible 
and, in any event, not more than 180 days after such in-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00058
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
terlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order of the dis-
trict court was issued. 
SEC. 10704. LIMITATION ON SCOPE OF REVIEW AND RE-
LIEF. 
(a) ADMINISTRATIVE
FINDINGS
AND
CONCLU-
SIONS.—In any judicial review of any Federal action under 
this subtitle, any administrative findings and conclusions 
relating to the challenged Federal action shall be pre-
sumed to be correct unless shown otherwise by clear and 
convincing evidence contained in the administrative 
record. 
(b) LIMITATION ON PROSPECTIVE RELIEF.—In any 
judicial review of any action, or failure to act, under this 
subtitle, the Court shall not grant or approve any prospec-
tive relief unless the Court finds that such relief is nar-
rowly drawn, extends no further than necessary to correct 
the violation of a Federal law requirement, and is the least 
intrusive means necessary to correct the violation con-
cerned. 
SEC. 10705. LEGAL FEES. 
Any person filing a petition seeking judicial review 
of any action, or failure to act, under this subtitle who 
is not a prevailing party shall pay to the prevailing parties 
(including intervening parties), other than the United 
States, fees and other expenses incurred by that party in 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00059
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
connection with the judicial review, unless the Court finds 
that the position of the person was substantially justified 
or that special circumstances make an award unjust. 
SEC. 10706. EXCLUSION. 
This subtitle shall not apply with respect to disputes 
between the parties to a lease issued pursuant to an au-
thorizing leasing statute regarding the obligations of such 
lease or the alleged breach thereof. 
SEC. 10707. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle, the following definitions apply: 
(1) COVERED
ENERGY
DECISION.—The term 
‘‘covered energy decision’’ means any action or deci-
sion by a Federal official regarding the issuance of 
a covered energy lease. 
(2) COVERED ENERGY LEASE.—The term ‘‘cov-
ered energy lease’’ means any lease under this title 
or under an oil and gas leasing program under this 
title. 
TITLE II—ONSHORE FEDERAL 
LANDS AND ENERGY SECURITY 
Subtitle A—Federal Lands Jobs 
and Energy Security 
SEC. 21001. SHORT TITLE. 
This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Federal Lands 
Jobs and Energy Security Act’’. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00060
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
SEC. 21002. POLICIES REGARDING BUYING, BUILDING, AND 
WORKING FOR AMERICA. 
(a) CONGRESSIONAL INTENT.—It is the intent of the 
Congress that— 
(1) this subtitle will support a healthy and 
growing United States domestic energy sector that, 
in turn, helps to reinvigorate American manufac-
turing, transportation, and service sectors by em-
ploying the vast talents of United States workers to 
assist in the development of energy from domestic 
sources; 
(2) to ensure a robust onshore energy produc-
tion industry and ensure that the benefits of devel-
opment support local communities, under this sub-
title, the Secretary shall make every effort to pro-
mote the development of onshore American energy, 
and shall take into consideration the socioeconomic 
impacts, infrastructure requirements, and fiscal sta-
bility for local communities located within areas con-
taining onshore energy resources; and 
(3) the Congress will monitor the deployment of 
personnel and material onshore to encourage the de-
velopment of American manufacturing to enable 
United States workers to benefit from this subtitle 
through good jobs and careers, as well as the estab-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00061
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
lishment of important industrial facilities to support 
expanded access to American resources. 
(b) REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of the Interior 
shall when possible, and practicable, encourage the use of 
United States workers and equipment manufactured in 
the United States in all construction related to mineral 
resource development under this subtitle. 
CHAPTER 1—ONSHORE OIL AND GAS 
PERMIT STREAMLINING 
SEC. 21101. SHORT TITLE. 
This chapter may be cited as the ‘‘Streamlining Per-
mitting of American Energy Act of 2014’’. 
Subchapter A—Application for Permits to 
Drill Process Reform 
SEC. 21111. PERMIT TO DRILL APPLICATION TIMELINE. 
Section 17(p)(2) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 
U.S.C. 226(p)(2)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS TO DRILL RE-
FORM AND PROCESS.— 
‘‘(A) TIMELINE.—The Secretary shall de-
cide whether to issue a permit to drill within 30 
days after receiving an application for the per-
mit. The Secretary may extend such period for 
up to 2 periods of 15 days each, if the Sec-
retary has given written notice of the delay to 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00062
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
the applicant. The notice shall be in the form 
of a letter from the Secretary or a designee of 
the Secretary, and shall include the names and 
titles of the persons processing the application, 
the specific reasons for the delay, and a specific 
date a final decision on the application is ex-
pected. 
‘‘(B) NOTICE OF REASONS FOR DENIAL.— 
If the application is denied, the Secretary shall 
provide the applicant— 
‘‘(i) in writing, clear and comprehen-
sive reasons why the application was not 
accepted and detailed information con-
cerning any deficiencies; and 
‘‘(ii) an opportunity to remedy any de-
ficiencies. 
‘‘(C) APPLICATION DEEMED APPROVED.— 
If the Secretary has not made a decision on the 
application by the end of the 60-day period be-
ginning on the date the application is received 
by the Secretary, the application is deemed ap-
proved, except in cases in which existing reviews 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) or Endangered 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00063
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) 
are incomplete. 
‘‘(D) DENIAL
OF
PERMIT.—If the Sec-
retary decides not to issue a permit to drill in 
accordance with subparagraph (A), the Sec-
retary shall— 
‘‘(i) provide to the applicant a descrip-
tion of the reasons for the denial of the 
permit; 
‘‘(ii) allow the applicant to resubmit 
an application for a permit to drill during 
the 10-day period beginning on the date 
the applicant receives the description of 
the denial from the Secretary; and 
‘‘(iii) issue or deny any resubmitted 
application not later than 10 days after the 
date the application is submitted to the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(E) FEE.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding 
any other law, the Secretary shall collect a 
single $6,500 permit processing fee per ap-
plication from each applicant at the time 
the final decision is made whether to issue 
a permit under subparagraph (A). This fee 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00064
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
shall not apply to any resubmitted applica-
tion. 
‘‘(ii) TREATMENT OF PERMIT PROC-
ESSING FEE.—Of all fees collected under 
this paragraph, 50 percent shall be trans-
ferred to the field office where they are col-
lected and used to process protests, leases, 
and permits under this Act subject to ap-
propriation.’’. 
Subchapter B—Administrative Protest 
Documentation Reform 
SEC. 21121. ADMINISTRATIVE PROTEST DOCUMENTATION 
REFORM. 
Section 17(p) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
226(p)) is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(4) PROTEST FEE.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
collect a $5,000 documentation fee to accom-
pany each protest for a lease, right of way, or 
application for permit to drill. 
‘‘(B) TREATMENT OF FEES.—Of all fees 
collected under this paragraph, 50 percent shall 
remain in the field office where they are col-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00065
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
lected and used to process protests subject to 
appropriation.’’. 
Subchapter C—Permit Streamlining 
SEC. 21131. MAKING PILOT OFFICES PERMANENT TO IM-
PROVE ENERGY PERMITTING ON FEDERAL 
LANDS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of the Interior 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall estab-
lish a Federal Permit Streamlining Project (referred to 
in this section as the ‘‘Project’’) in every Bureau of Land 
Management field office with responsibility for permitting 
energy projects on Federal land. 
(b) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall enter into a memorandum of understanding for 
purposes of this section with— 
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture; 
(B) the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency; and 
(C) the Chief of the Army Corps of Engi-
neers. 
(2) STATE
PARTICIPATION.—The Secretary 
may request that the Governor of any State with en-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
ergy projects on Federal lands to be a signatory to 
the memorandum of understanding. 
(c) DESIGNATION OF QUALIFIED STAFF.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date of the signing of the memorandum of un-
derstanding under subsection (b), all Federal signa-
tory parties shall, if appropriate, assign to each of 
the Bureau of Land Management field offices an 
employee who has expertise in the regulatory issues 
relating to the office in which the employee is em-
ployed, including, as applicable, particular expertise 
in— 
(A) the consultations and the preparation 
of biological opinions under section 7 of the En-
dangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
1536); 
(B) permits under section 404 of Federal 
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1344); 
(C) regulatory matters under the Clean Air 
Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.); 
(D) planning under the National Forest 
Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a et 
seq.); and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
(E) the preparation of analyses under the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
(2) DUTIES.—Each employee assigned under 
paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) not later than 90 days after the date 
of assignment, report to the Bureau of Land 
Management Field Managers in the office to 
which the employee is assigned; 
(B) be responsible for all issues relating to 
the energy projects that arise under the au-
thorities of the employee’s home agency; and 
(C) participate as part of the team of per-
sonnel working on proposed energy projects, 
planning, and environmental analyses on Fed-
eral lands. 
(d) ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL.—The Secretary shall 
assign to each Bureau of Land Management field office 
identified in subsection (a) any additional personnel that 
are necessary to ensure the effective approval and imple-
mentation of energy projects administered by the Bureau 
of Land Management field offices, including inspection 
and enforcement relating to energy development on Fed-
eral land, in accordance with the multiple use mandate 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 
(43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). 
(e) FUNDING.—Funding for the additional personnel 
shall come from the Department of the Interior reforms 
identified in sections 21111 and 21121. 
(f) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this section af-
fects— 
(1) the operation of any Federal or State law; 
or 
(2) any delegation of authority made by the 
head of a Federal agency whose employees are par-
ticipating in the Project. 
(g) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section the 
term ‘‘energy projects’’ includes oil, natural gas, and other 
energy projects as defined by the Secretary. 
SEC. 21132. ADMINISTRATION OF CURRENT LAW. 
Notwithstanding any other law, the Secretary of the 
Interior shall not require a finding of extraordinary cir-
cumstances in administering section 390 of the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15942). 
Subchapter D—Judicial Review 
SEC. 21141. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subchapter— 
(1) the term ‘‘covered civil action’’ means a civil 
action containing a claim under section 702 of title 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
5, United States Code, regarding agency action (as 
defined for the purposes of that section) affecting a 
covered energy project on Federal lands of the 
United States; and 
(2) the term ‘‘covered energy project’’ means 
the leasing of Federal lands of the United States for 
the exploration, development, production, processing, 
or transmission of oil, natural gas, or any other 
source of energy, and any action under such a lease, 
except that the term does not include any disputes 
between the parties to a lease regarding the obliga-
tions under such lease, including regarding any al-
leged breach of the lease. 
SEC. 21142. EXCLUSIVE VENUE FOR CERTAIN CIVIL AC-
TIONS 
RELATING 
TO 
COVERED 
ENERGY 
PROJECTS. 
Venue for any covered civil action shall lie in the dis-
trict court where the project or leases exist or are pro-
posed. 
SEC. 21143. TIMELY FILING. 
To ensure timely redress by the courts, a covered civil 
action must be filed no later than the end of the 90-day 
period beginning on the date of the final Federal agency 
action to which it relates. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
SEC. 21144. EXPEDITION IN HEARING AND DETERMINING 
THE ACTION. 
The court shall endeavor to hear and determine any 
covered civil action as expeditiously as possible. 
SEC. 21145. STANDARD OF REVIEW. 
In any judicial review of a covered civil action, admin-
istrative findings and conclusions relating to the chal-
lenged Federal action or decision shall be presumed to be 
correct, and the presumption may be rebutted only by the 
preponderance of the evidence contained in the adminis-
trative record. 
SEC. 21146. LIMITATION ON INJUNCTION AND PROSPEC-
TIVE RELIEF. 
In a covered civil action, the court shall not grant 
or approve any prospective relief unless the court finds 
that such relief is narrowly drawn, extends no further than 
necessary to correct the violation of a legal requirement, 
and is the least intrusive means necessary to correct that 
violation. In addition, courts shall limit the duration of 
preliminary injunctions to halt covered energy projects to 
no more than 60 days, unless the court finds clear reasons 
to extend the injunction. In such cases of extensions, such 
extensions shall only be in 30-day increments and shall 
require action by the court to renew the injunction. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 4899 RFS
SEC. 21147. LIMITATION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES. 
Sections 504 of title 5, United States Code, and 2412 
of title 28, United States Code, (together commonly called 
the Equal Access to Justice Act) do not apply to a covered 
civil action, nor shall any party in such a covered civil ac-
tion receive payment from the Federal Government for 
their attorneys’ fees, expenses, and other court costs. 
SEC. 21148. LEGAL STANDING. 
Challengers filing appeals with the Department of the 
Interior Board of Land Appeals shall meet the same 
standing requirements as challengers before a United 
States district court. 
Subchapter E—Knowing America’s Oil and 
Gas Resources 
SEC. 21151. FUNDING OIL AND GAS RESOURCE ASSESS-
MENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior shall 
provide matching funding for joint projects with States to 
conduct oil and gas resource assessments on Federal lands 
with significant oil and gas potential. 
(b) COST SHARING.—The Federal share of the cost 
of activities under this section shall not exceed 50 percent. 
(c) RESOURCE ASSESSMENT.—Any resource assess-
ment under this section shall be conducted by a State, in 
consultation with the United States Geological Survey. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:33 Jun 27, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4899.RFS
H4899
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS