Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to provide needed housing reform and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment.    (There are 3 other summaries) American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 - Title I: FHA Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention - FHA Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention Act of 2008 - Subtitle A: Homeownership Retention - (Sec. 112) Amends the National Housing Act (NHA) to create the Refinance Program Oversight Board, which shall establish and oversee a program for insuring homeownership retention mortgages. Instructs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to insure any homeownership retention mortgage covering a one- to four-family residence made to pay or prepay outstanding obligations under an existing mortgage on the residence. Sets forth mortgagor eligibility criteria, including mortgagor certification that: (1) the residence is the only residence [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Mr. Rahall moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

Bill Text
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. 6/12/2008--Introduced. 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 [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1696-1697)

Bill Text
To authorize the State of Virginia to petition for authorization to conduct natural gas or crude oil (or both) exploration and extraction activities in any area that is at least 50 miles beyond the coastal zone of the State, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to suspend royalty relief, to repeal certain provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal certain tax incentives for the oil and gas industry. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Oil Subsidy Elimination for New Strategies on Energy Act or the Oil SENSE Act - Repeals provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 relating to: (1) incentives for production from marginal oil wells; (2) incentives for natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico; (3) royalty relief for deep water production; (4) Alaska offshore royalty suspension; (5) the inventory of Outer Continental Shelf oil and natural gas resources; (6) management of federal oil and gas leasing programs; and (7) ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resources. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) suspend royalty relief for producers of oil or natural gas on federal lands during periods in which oil and natural gas production is [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Became Public Law No: 110-140.

Bill Text
An Act to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, and for other purposes. 12/19/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 – Title I: Energy Security Through Improved Vehicle Fuel Economy - Subtitle A: Increased Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards - Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act - (Sec. 102) Amends federal transportation law to instruct the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary in this title) to prescribe separate average fuel economy standards for passenger and for non-passenger automobiles for model years 2011-2030. Repeals the current requirement that the average fuel economy [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to permanently prohibit oil and gas leasing off the coast of the State of California, and for other purposes.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

California Ocean and Coastal Protection Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit oil and gas preleasing, leasing, and related activities in areas of the Outer Continental Shelf located off the coast of California.

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to exclude such areas from the waters of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf whose oil and natural gas resources the Secretary of Energy is required to inventory and analyze.

Latest Action: 01/22/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to restore fairness in the provision of incentives for oil and gas production, and for other purposes. 1/22/2007--Introduced. Energy Fairness for America Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate: (1) the tax deduction for oil and gas intangible drilling and development costs; (2) the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas wells; and (3) the tax credit for enhanced oil recovery costs. Repeals provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 relating to: (1) oil and gas royalties in-kind; (2) marginal property production incentives; (3) incentives for natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico; (4) royalty suspension for deep water production; (5) the inventory of Outer Continental Shelf oil and natural gas resources; (6) Alaska offshore royalty suspension; (7) accelerated depreciation of electric transmission property, natural gas distribution lines, and natural gas gathering lines and expensing of liquid fuel refinery property; (8) the exemption [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/25/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently prohibit the conduct of offshore drilling on the outer Continental Shelf in the Mid-Atlantic and North Atlantic planning areas.

1/25/2007--Introduced.

Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act, or the COAST Anti-Drilling Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas, or any other mineral in either the Mid-Atlantic or the North Atlantic planning areas.

Latest Action: 02/07/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Bill Text
To restore fairness in the provision of incentives for oil and gas production, and for other purposes. 1/19/2007--Introduced. Energy Fairness for America Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate: (1) the tax deduction for oil and gas intangible drilling and development costs; (2) the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas wells; and (3) the tax credit for enhanced oil recovery costs. Repeals provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 relating to: (1) oil and gas royalties in-kind; (2) marginal property production incentives; (3) incentives for natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico; (4) royalty suspension for deep water production; (5) the inventory of Outer Continental Shelf oil and natural gas resources; (6) Alaska offshore royalty suspension; (7) accelerated depreciation of electric transmission property, natural gas distribution lines, and natural gas gathering lines and expensing of liquid fuel refinery property; (8) the exemption of small [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/12/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1855-1857)

Bill Text
A bill to reduce the Federal budget deficit, and for other purposes. 2/12/2007--Introduced. Act for Our Kids - Repeals the Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act. Amends the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 to prohibit federal funding of television broadcasting to Cuba. Terminates the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Requires federal agencies to reduce administrative expenses. Eliminates the Medicare Advantage Regional Plan Stabilization (SLUSH) Fund. Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit profiteering and fraud involving a contract or the provision of goods or services in connection with a war or military action. Requires: (1) suspension and debarment of unethical contractors; (2) disclosure by federal agencies, upon request, to the appropriate committee chairman or ranking member of audit reports regarding federal contractors; and (3) public access to information on federal contractor penalties and [...]

show full description

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1696-1697)

Bill Text
To authorize the State of Virginia to petition for authorization to conduct natural gas or crude oil (or both) exploration and extraction activities in any area that is at least 50 miles beyond the coastal zone of the State, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the State of Virginia to petition for authorization to conduct natural gas exploration and drilling activities in the coastal zone of the State. 6/18/2008--Introduced. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize the governor of Virginia to petition the Secretary of the Interior for authorization to conduct natural gas exploration and extraction activities in any area that is at least 50 miles beyond the state's coastal zone. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into a Clean Energy Fund of 50% of all rentals, royalties, bonus bids, and other sums due and payable to the United States from leases entered into under this Act for natural gas exploration and extraction activities. Requires deposit of the other 50% into a special account in the Treasury from which the Secretary shall disburse: (1) 75% to the state; (2) 12.5% to provide financial assistance to states in accordance with the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the exploration of oil and natural gas in coastal areas to reduce the dependence of the United States on foreign energy sources, and to reduce gasoline and natural gas prices. 6/18/2008--Introduced. Energy Needed Offshore Under Gas Hikes Act - Allows the governor of a state, during any period in which the price of regular gasoline is equal to or greater than $5, with the concurrence of the state legislature, to petition the Secretary of the Interior to make a new producing area of the state eligible for: (1) oil leasing, gas leasing, or both, as determined by the state in accordance with the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Mineral Leasing Act; or (2) natural gas leasing only. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit 45% of all rentals, royalties, bonus bids, and other sums due and payable to the United States from leases for new producing areas (qualified revenues) in the outer Continental Shelf into the general fund of the Treasury.[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5619-5626)

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the development of certain traditional and alternative energy resources, and for other purposes. 6/12/2008--Introduced. Energy Resource Development Act of 2008 - Revokes the Memorandum on Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf from Leasing Disposition. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to: (1) authorize the governors of affected states to accept, provide a counterproposal to, or veto the Secretary of the Interior's (Secretary's) proposed lease sales or development and production plans of certain coastal areas; (2) direct the Secretary to conduct an approved lease sale for a new producing area; and (3) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit revenues from the disposition of new producing areas in specified funds. Directs the Secretary to allocate revenues to new producing states and coastal political subdivisions for: (1) coastal protection; (2) mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources;[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Mr. Rahall moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

Bill Text
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. 6/12/2008--Introduced. 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 [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 727.

Bill Text
A bill to promote the energy security of the United States, and for other purposes. 5/6/2008--Introduced. American Energy Production Act of 2008 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permit projected lines of states adjacent to the subsoil and seabed of the outer Continental Shelf to be used for oil and gas preleasing and leasing activities. Authorizes the governor of a state with a new producing area within the offshore administrative boundaries beyond the submerged land of the state to petition the Secretary of Energy to make new producing areas available for oil and gas leasing. Sets forth a lease sales program for oil and gas development within the Coastal Plain located on a certain map entitled "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge." Prescribes environmental protection procedures for the Coastal Plain. Requires Alaska to establish in is state treasury the "Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund,"[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/01/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3710-3712)

Bill Text
A bill to promote the energy security of the United States, and for other purposes. 5/1/2008--Introduced. American Energy Production Act of 2008 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permit projected lines of states adjacent to the subsoil and seabed of the outer Continental Shelf to be used for oil and gas preleasing and leasing activities. Authorizes the governor of a state with a new producing area within the offshore administrative boundaries beyond the submerged land of the state to petition the Secretary of Energy requesting that the Secretary make new producing areas available for oil and gas leasing.Provides for disposition of outer Continental Shelf revenues from new producing areas to the Treasury and to new producing states and coastal political subdivisions.Sets forth a lease sales program for oil and gas development within the Coastal Plain located on a certain map entitled "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge." Prescribes [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/01/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3701-3704)

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the development and inventory of certain outer Continental Shelf resources, to suspend petroleum acquisition for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and for other purposes. 5/1/2008--Introduced. Domestic Offshore Energy Security Act of 2008, or the DOES Act - Permits United States persons to: (1) engage in exploration and extraction of hydrocarbon resources from any portion of any foreign exclusive economic zone contiguous to the exclusive economic zone of the United States; and (2) export without license authority all pertinent equipment for such activity. Amends the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to authorize travel-related transactions for travel to, from, or within Cuba in connection with exploration and extraction of hydrocarbon resources in any part of a foreign maritime Exclusive Economic Zone contiguous to the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Identifies as persons authorized [...]

show full description