Legis Daily

Bonding Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-1505| House 
| Updated: 12/14/2022
Alan S. Lowenthal

Alan S. Lowenthal

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (15)
Jared Huffman (Democratic)Barbara Lee (Democratic)Raúl M. Grijalva (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Matt Cartwright (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)Diana DeGette (Democratic)Earl Blumenauer (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democratic)Alcee L. Hastings (Democratic)Katie Porter (Democratic)Mike Levin (Democratic)

Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Bonding Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2021 This bill revises bonding requirements for oil and gas development on public land leased from the federal government. Such bonds are required to ensure oil and gas developers have adequate financial resources for implementing reclamation plans to restore public land after oil and gas development (e.g., drilling operations) ceases. Specifically, the bill increases the bond amounts that oil and gas developers must provide prior to conducting surface-disturbing activities and requires such amounts to adjust at least once every three years for inflation. In addition, the bill sets fees to cover the cost for inspection and enforcement with respect to such leases. The bill also requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to establish uniform standards for all interim and final reclamation plans. BLM and USFS may not release any bond amounts until the standards have been met by oil and gas developers and the inspection fees have been paid. Finally, the bill gives the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the authority to obtain and retain adequate financial assurances (e.g., bonds) from nonfederal entities to repair potential damages to resources of the National Wildlife Refuge System prior to the commencement of activities related to mineral development, such as oil and gas operations.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4346
Bonding Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2019
Mar 2, 2021
Introduced in House
Mar 2, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Mar 8, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Mar 9, 2021
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
May 5, 2021
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.
May 5, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 5, 2021
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 15.
Dec 14, 2022
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 453.
Dec 14, 2022
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-629.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4346
    Bonding Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2019


  • March 2, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • March 2, 2021
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • March 8, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.


  • March 9, 2021
    Subcommittee Hearings Held.


  • May 5, 2021
    Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.


  • May 5, 2021
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • May 5, 2021
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 15.


  • December 14, 2022
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 453.


  • December 14, 2022
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-629.

Energy

Administrative law and regulatory proceduresDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of the InteriorEcologyEnvironmental healthHazardous wastes and toxic substancesHydrology and hydrographyLand use and conservationLicensing and registrationsMiningOil and gasPollution liabilitySecuritiesUser charges and feesWater qualityWildlife conservation and habitat protection

Bonding Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-1505| House 
| Updated: 12/14/2022
Bonding Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2021 This bill revises bonding requirements for oil and gas development on public land leased from the federal government. Such bonds are required to ensure oil and gas developers have adequate financial resources for implementing reclamation plans to restore public land after oil and gas development (e.g., drilling operations) ceases. Specifically, the bill increases the bond amounts that oil and gas developers must provide prior to conducting surface-disturbing activities and requires such amounts to adjust at least once every three years for inflation. In addition, the bill sets fees to cover the cost for inspection and enforcement with respect to such leases. The bill also requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to establish uniform standards for all interim and final reclamation plans. BLM and USFS may not release any bond amounts until the standards have been met by oil and gas developers and the inspection fees have been paid. Finally, the bill gives the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the authority to obtain and retain adequate financial assurances (e.g., bonds) from nonfederal entities to repair potential damages to resources of the National Wildlife Refuge System prior to the commencement of activities related to mineral development, such as oil and gas operations.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4346
Bonding Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2019
Mar 2, 2021
Introduced in House
Mar 2, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Mar 8, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Mar 9, 2021
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
May 5, 2021
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.
May 5, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 5, 2021
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 15.
Dec 14, 2022
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 453.
Dec 14, 2022
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-629.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4346
    Bonding Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2019


  • March 2, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • March 2, 2021
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • March 8, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.


  • March 9, 2021
    Subcommittee Hearings Held.


  • May 5, 2021
    Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.


  • May 5, 2021
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • May 5, 2021
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 15.


  • December 14, 2022
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 453.


  • December 14, 2022
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-629.
Alan S. Lowenthal

Alan S. Lowenthal

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (15)
Jared Huffman (Democratic)Barbara Lee (Democratic)Raúl M. Grijalva (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Matt Cartwright (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)Diana DeGette (Democratic)Earl Blumenauer (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democratic)Alcee L. Hastings (Democratic)Katie Porter (Democratic)Mike Levin (Democratic)

Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

Energy

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of the InteriorEcologyEnvironmental healthHazardous wastes and toxic substancesHydrology and hydrographyLand use and conservationLicensing and registrationsMiningOil and gasPollution liabilitySecuritiesUser charges and feesWater qualityWildlife conservation and habitat protection