Outer Continental Shelf Reform Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-917
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2011-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Accidents
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Business ethics
Coast guard
Congressional operations and organization
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Department of the Interior
Energy research
Energy revenues and royalties
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Environmental technology
Executive agency funding and structure
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Gulf of Mexico
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
International organizations and cooperation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Oil and gas
Pollution liability
Research and development
Transportation safety and security
User charges and fees
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-09
text: 
Outer Continental Shelf Reform Act of 2011 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prescribe a program of structural reform for management of the Outer Continental Shelf, including establishing two bureaus to carry out leasing, permitting, and safety and environmental regulatory functions.
 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish: (1) an office to carry out the royalty and revenue management functions, and (2) an Outer Continental Shelf Safety and Environmental Advisory Board.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) recruit and directly appoint highly qualified critical technical personnel, upon a determination that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for particular positions; and (2) approve reemployment of civilian retirees to carry out a critical functions under this Act.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe and amend rules and regulations addressing operational safety and protection of the marine and coastal environment; (2) review bond and surety amounts every five years; (3) review royalty and rental rates; (4) review and report on the federal offshore oil and gas fiscal system; and (5) implement research and development to improve methodologies for characterizing resources of the Outer Continental Shelf and conditions affecting the ability to develop and use resources in a safe, sound, and environmentally responsible manner.
 
Instructs the Secretary to develop and implement programs for: (1) analysis and dissemination of environmental and other resource data; (2) risk assessment to address technology and development issues associated with Outer Continental Shelf energy and mineral resource activities, including safety, environmental protection, and spill response; (3) review of alleged safety violations; and (4) the collection of a non-refundable inspection fee for deposit into the Ocean Energy Enforcement Fund (established under this Act).
 
Cites conditions under which bids for a lease may be disqualified.
 
Revises requirements governing explorations plans and drilling permits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-17
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-51.
action_date: 2011-05-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2823-2824)
action_date: 2011-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2785-2793)
action_date: 2011-05-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2785)
action_date: 2011-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate