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HR 4191 98th Congress House

Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1983

Official title: A bill to amend the Act of February 25, 1920, commonly known as the Mineral Leasing Act, to require competitive bidding for leases on Federal lands with oil or… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend the Act of February 25, 1920, commonly known as the Mineral Leasing Act, to require competitive bidding for leases on Federal lands with oil or gas deposits, to require diligent exploration for, and development and production of, such oil or gas deposits.

Introduced: October 21, 1983 See on congress.gov
Energy Oil and gas leasesPetroleum and petroleum products
This bill died when the 98th Congress ended
It never became law before the 98th Congress (1983–1984) 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 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 15, 1984
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Nov 14, 1983
Referred to Subcommittee on Mining, Forest Management and Bonneville Power Administration.
Oct 21, 1983
Referred to House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.
Oct 21, 1983
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 15, 1984

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1983 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise provisions relating to the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to lease oil and gas lands. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to lease to the highest responsible qualified bidder, by competitive bidding, any lands subject to disposition under the Act which may contain oil or gas deposits. Prohibits the Secretary from granting a lease unless: (1) the prospective lessee has the financial and technical capacity to explore for, develop, and produce oil or gas; and (2) the prospective lessee states in writing that diligence standards, with respect to any previously issued lease, are being met.

Provides that a lease shall: (1) be for an initial period of five years and as long thereafter as gas or oil is produced from the leased area in compliance with the diligence standards; (2) entitle the lessee to explore, develop, and produce oil and gas, conditioned upon compliance with diligence standards; and (3) be issued pursuant to requirements set forth in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act relating to bidding and rent.

Requires any lessee conducting exploration for, or development or production of, oil or gas to provide the Secretary access to all data and information obtained from such activity which the Secretary may request.

Revises provisions relating to the authority to assign or sublease an oil or gas lease. Permits an assignment or sublease upon a determination by the Secretary that: (1) such assignment or sublease would increase exploration for, and development and production of, oil and gas; and (2) the prospective assignee or sublessee meets the diligence standards.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4191: Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1983. 98th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-4191/
MLA
"H.R. 4191: Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1983." 98th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-4191/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4191, 98th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-4191/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4191: Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1983](https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-4191/)
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