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HR 6251 110th Congress House

Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act

Official title: To prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing new Federal oil and gas leases to holders of existing leases who do not diligently develop the lands sub… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing new Federal oil and gas leases to holders of existing leases who do not diligently develop the lands subject to such existing leases or relinquish such leases, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 17, 2008 See on congress.gov
Energy Administrative procedureCommerceContinental shelfDepartment of the Interior
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Energy developmentFines (Penalties)Gas in submerged landsGas industryGovernment Operations and PoliticsLawMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesOil and gas leasesOil well drillingPetroleum in submerged landsPetroleum industryProspectingPublic Lands and Natural ResourcesRent
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This bill died when the 110th Congress ended
It never became law before the 110th Congress (2007–2008) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 26, 2008
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 223 - 195 (Roll no. 469). (text: CR H6110)
Jun 26, 2008
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6144-6145)
Jun 26, 2008
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Jun 26, 2008
DEBATE - Ms. Fallin asked unanimous consent that debate on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 6251 be extended by 10 minutes, equally divided and controlled. Agreed to without objection.
Jun 26, 2008
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6251.
Jun 26, 2008
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6110-6121)
Jun 26, 2008
Mr. Rahall moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jun 12, 2008
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jun 12, 2008
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jun 26, 2008 House · vote #469 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Failed 223–195 See who voted →
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 Latest action June 26, 2008

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 223 - 195 (Roll no. 469). (text: CR H6110)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act - Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing any new lease for exploration or production of oil or natural gas unless the lessee: (1) certifies for each existing lease that the lessee has diligently developed the lands in order to produce oil or natural gas, or is producing oil or natural gas from such lands; or (2) has relinquished all federal oil and gas leases that are not being diligently developed.

Instructs the Secretary to promulgate diligent development regulations that: (1) include benchmarks for oil and gas development to ensure that leaseholders produce oil and gas from each lease within the five-year original term of the lease; and (2) require each leaseholder to submit a diligent development plan showing how the lessee will meet the benchmarks.

Establishes a civil penalty for noncompliance with this Act.

Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Mineral Leasing Act, and the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands Act to set forth lease terms for an initial period of five years, renewable for additional one-year periods, subject to specified conditions.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 3239 Related bill Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 17
All 17 Democratic 14
D
Murphy, Christopher
Connecticut · Jun 24, 2008
 D
Van Hollen, Chris
Maryland · Jun 24, 2008
Boyda, Nancy
· Jun 23, 2008
Mitchell, Harry
· Jun 23, 2008
 D
Thompson, Mike
California · Jun 23, 2008
 D
Welch, Peter
Vermont · Jun 19, 2008
 D
Courtney, Joe
Connecticut · Jun 18, 2008
Mahoney, Tim
· Jun 18, 2008
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Jun 18, 2008
 D
Carson, André
Indiana · Jun 17, 2008
 D
Castor, Kathy
Florida · Jun 17, 2008
 D
Foster, Bill
Illinois · Jun 17, 2008
 D
Hirono, Mazie K.
Hawaii · Jun 17, 2008
 D
McCollum, Betty
Minnesota · Jun 17, 2008
 D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Jun 17, 2008
 D
Larson, John B.
Connecticut · Jun 12, 2008
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Jun 12, 2008
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6251: Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act. 110th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6251/
MLA
"H.R. 6251: Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act." 110th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6251/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6251, 110th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6251/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6251: Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6251/)
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